Care & use of the Printmaking press THE MAKERS SPACE CARE AND USE OF THE PRINTING PRESS HOW DOES THE PRINTING PRESS WORK An etching press is basically a machine with two metal rollers through which a flat press bed slides under pressure. On top of the press bed is the paper and inked printing plate (e.g. linocut, etching, collagraph) and the image is transferred from the matrix to the paper due to the pressure. Usually, the printing press is powered by hand. IMPORTANT. PLEASE NOTE. TO USE THE PRINTING PRESS AT THE MAKERS SPACE MEMBERS AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THE CARE, SAFETY AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF THE PRINTING PRESS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
Instructions Step by step with pictureswww.instructables.com/How-to-Set-an-Etching-Press-to-Print-Intaglio-or-R/ SIMPLE RULES TO FOLLOW • DO NOT place any hard objects, specifically metal OR wooden objects, between rollers and press bed. • DO NOT put thick, uneven substrates (e.g. string, plant material) through the etching press. The etching press is designed for printing substrates the thickness of paper or cardboard. • DO NOT clean printing plates on the bed of the press. Clean plates on the stainless steel benches over by the window • DO keep hands, long hair, jewelry and loose clothing away from rollers and crank handles • DO keep the rollers clean and avoid getting ink on them. ( Use “ Baby Wipes” to clean). • DO at the end of your printing session o release the pressure on the roller o remove the blanket o make sure all surfaces are clean and all ink is cleaned off o lock the press DETAILS: CARE AND USE • When not in use the pressure needs to be taken off the rollers and plate. To do this, using the handles at the top of the plate simultaneously and to keep the upper roller in balance, release the pressure from roller and plate. • Place the blanket over the top of the roller. • make sure all surfaces are clean and all ink is cleaned off • lock the press • The reverse process is used to set the pressure for printing. • Test the tension by placing a clean plate on the press bed adjust the blanket and paper and pass through press. • Please remember not to use sharp or thick objects (collagraph or metal plate edges) as these may damage the roller or cut the blanket. • Always ensure that the blanket is smooth and has no wrinkles.
• When using in a class , try to organise for participants to have a session using plates of common height e.g, lino to save having to continuously adjust pressure. Packing such as sheets of paper can be use to achieve correct tension. • 2-3 sheets paper between plate , damp paper and blanket protects the blanket. • The plastic sheeting on press bed protects it from contamination with printing ink and can be easily cleaned with baby wipes. • Registration paper for individual plates is placed under plastic. TIPS FOR PRINTING ON OUR PRESS. • The press has a thick cushion blanket. • When block printing on the etching press I use 2-3 sheets of cartridge paper laid on top of the linoleum block with the thick blanket on top of that. • Always ensure that the upper roller is balanced and pressure evenly spread ( at the same level). Test with plate, paper ad blanket in place before printing. • If part of the printed image is blurry, try lightening up the pressure on the press. • The press bed may take a little push to get the press bed to engage with the metal rollers.