diff --git a/cadquery/__init__.py b/cadquery/__init__.py
index 0d18affa2..b57485272 100644
--- a/cadquery/__init__.py
+++ b/cadquery/__init__.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 )
 from .occ_impl import exporters
 from .occ_impl import importers
+from .occ_impl import message
 
 # these items are the common implementation
 
@@ -76,4 +77,5 @@
     "Selector",
     "plugins",
     "Sketch",
+    "message",
 ]
diff --git a/cadquery/occ_impl/importers/__init__.py b/cadquery/occ_impl/importers/__init__.py
index 1ac48bc87..2d232bf40 100644
--- a/cadquery/occ_impl/importers/__init__.py
+++ b/cadquery/occ_impl/importers/__init__.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 from ... import cq
 from ..shapes import Shape
 from .dxf import _importDXF
+from .. import message
+from ...utils import cqmultimethod as multimethod
 
 RAD2DEG = 360.0 / (2 * pi)
 
@@ -60,19 +62,40 @@ def importBrep(fileName: str) -> "cq.Workplane":
     return cq.Workplane("XY").newObject([shape])
 
 
-# Loads a STEP file into a CQ.Workplane object
-def importStep(fileName: str) -> "cq.Workplane":
+def readStep(fileName: str) -> STEPControl_Reader:
     """
-    Accepts a file name and loads the STEP file into a cadquery Workplane
+    Read STEP file, return STEPControl_Reader
 
-    :param fileName: The path and name of the STEP file to be imported
+    :param fileName: The path and name of the STEP file
     """
-
-    # Now read and return the shape
     reader = STEPControl_Reader()
     readStatus = reader.ReadFile(fileName)
     if readStatus != OCP.IFSelect.IFSelect_RetDone:
         raise ValueError("STEP File could not be loaded")
+    return reader
+
+
+@multimethod
+def importStep(fileName: str) -> "cq.Workplane":
+    """
+    Accepts a file name and loads the STEP file into a cadquery Workplane
+
+    :param fileName: The path and name of the STEP file to be imported
+    """
+
+    return importStep(readStep(fileName))
+
+
+@importStep.register
+def importStep(reader: STEPControl_Reader) -> "cq.Workplane":
+    """
+    Import STEP given a STEPControl_Reader.
+
+    :param reader: STEPControl_Reader with loaded file
+    """
+    if reader.WS().LoadedFile() == "":
+        raise ValueError("STEP reader has no loaded file")
+
     for i in range(reader.NbRootsForTransfer()):
         reader.TransferRoot(i + 1)
 
diff --git a/cadquery/occ_impl/message.py b/cadquery/occ_impl/message.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..392fa45c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cadquery/occ_impl/message.py
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+from enum import Enum
+
+from OCP.Message import (
+    Message_Gravity,
+    Message_Messenger,
+    Message_PrinterToReport,
+    Message_Report,
+)
+from OCP.Message import Message as OCPMessage
+
+
+class Level(Enum):
+    trace = Message_Gravity.Message_Trace
+    info = Message_Gravity.Message_Info
+    warning = Message_Gravity.Message_Warning
+    alarm = Message_Gravity.Message_Alarm
+    fail = Message_Gravity.Message_Fail
+
+
+class Message:
+
+    messenger: Message_Messenger = OCPMessage.DefaultMessenger_s()
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def add_report() -> Message_Report:
+        """
+        Add a report
+        """
+        printer = Message_PrinterToReport()
+        report = printer.Report()
+        Message.messenger.AddPrinter(printer)
+        return report
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def add_log(fname):
+        pass
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def set_trace_level(level=Level.info):
+        """
+        Set trace level used for filtering OCCT messages.
+
+        Changes the trace level of the default printer.
+
+        :param level: trace level
+        """
+        for printer in Message.messenger.Printers():
+            printer.SetTraceLevel(level.value)
+            break
+
+
+# change default OCCT logging level
+Message.set_trace_level(Level.fail)
diff --git a/cadquery/occ_impl/shapes.py b/cadquery/occ_impl/shapes.py
index 9e312259b..1be5dad7a 100644
--- a/cadquery/occ_impl/shapes.py
+++ b/cadquery/occ_impl/shapes.py
@@ -29,12 +29,6 @@
 
 from ..utils import cqmultimethod as multimethod
 
-# change default OCCT logging level
-from OCP.Message import Message, Message_Gravity
-
-for printer in Message.DefaultMessenger_s().Printers():
-    printer.SetTraceLevel(Message_Gravity.Message_Fail)
-
 import OCP.TopAbs as ta  # Topology type enum
 import OCP.GeomAbs as ga  # Geometry type enum