Above: Lithographic Press from "Elisha Noyce - The Boy’s Book of Industrial Information, 1858
AKUA PIN PRESS
An economical, portable press designed for light pressure printing processes such as monotype, drypoint and collagraph. Features a 20" long roller for printing images. This press is precisely machined to a smooth surface for uniform contact between the roller, paper, and plate. Durable, all-metal construction ensures long-lasting, trouble-free printing. The handles swivel and act as a stand when the press is not in use.
An economical, portable press designed for light pressure printing processes such as monotype, drypoint and collagraph. Features a 20" long roller for printing images. This press is precisely machined to a smooth surface for uniform contact between the roller, paper, and plate. Durable, all-metal construction ensures long-lasting, trouble-free printing. The handles swivel and act as a stand when the press is not in use.
METAL SPOON + BURNISHER
With steady pressure from a metal spoon, you can print an intaglio print – it just takes more longer than using a press. The line work may not be as sharp, but with practice you can overcome these limitations. Using a burnisher will allow you to apply more direct pressure to areas, because of the pointed shapre of the tip. Use a spoon in conjunction with a burnisher for more contol in the detailed, hard print areas. Limitations: Any movement of paper or plate during the spoon printing will create printng inconssistencies, like a broken, blurry or hollow line. Quick Tips: Place a barrier sheet (like wax paper) between the spoon and paper to stop it from pilling up. |
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PASTA MAKERS
Also called polymer clay rollers, pasta makers are a low cost option for pulling small impressions, costing between $25-$75 new. They can also be found at second hand or online marketplaces. The cheaper models are poorer quality, while the more expensive options are higher quality construction. Many people have pasta makers sitting unused in their kitchen cupboards, ask around!
Recommended Pasta Maker: Atlas pasta machine $80: Higher quality construction. The best of both worlds when it comes to balancing cost with durability.
Cheapest option: Amaco craft clay machine $30: Low quality construction. This is a good option if you think you may not use this long-term.
Conversion for printmaking use:
Also called polymer clay rollers, pasta makers are a low cost option for pulling small impressions, costing between $25-$75 new. They can also be found at second hand or online marketplaces. The cheaper models are poorer quality, while the more expensive options are higher quality construction. Many people have pasta makers sitting unused in their kitchen cupboards, ask around!
Recommended Pasta Maker: Atlas pasta machine $80: Higher quality construction. The best of both worlds when it comes to balancing cost with durability.
Cheapest option: Amaco craft clay machine $30: Low quality construction. This is a good option if you think you may not use this long-term.
Conversion for printmaking use:
- It works best to turn pasta makers sideways, allowing for flat, or horizontal feed, of the material through the rollers. This also allows you to more easily clamp the press down (to keep it from moving while rolling the material through). Time, labor, tools, and moderate skills required to convert pasta maker for use as a horizontal printing device.
- Press Bed: Pasta makers feed material through vertically. To use vertically, flexible matrices must be used to allow the sandwich of matrix, printing paper, and packing to curve through and out from beneath the rollers.
- Pressure: Adjustments are made by spinning the dial. Pasta makers typically have 9 thickness settings. Those with carpentry skills are encouraged to build a frame around the pasta machine to give full support as the bed rolls through the rollers. Some trial and error is required to get quality results. Once initial testing is complete, they are able to produce prints with consistent results.
Here are a few resources that go over the pasta press options:
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DIE CUTTING MACHINES
Die cutting machines have the lowest initial time investment needed for setup, since so little conversion is needed. Die cut machines are easier to use than a pasta machine because the rollers are positioned to roll a bed through horizontally. Some die cut machines have an adjustable roller height, but not all, so it may necessary to gather boards of different thicknesses to adjust the height of the roller. On fixed height die cutters pressure must be adjusted by adding or removing material from the bed to change the distance between the roller and bed. Once testing is complete, it is easy to achieve consistent printing results.
Recommended Die Cut Machines:
Here are a few resources that go over the options:
Die cutting machines have the lowest initial time investment needed for setup, since so little conversion is needed. Die cut machines are easier to use than a pasta machine because the rollers are positioned to roll a bed through horizontally. Some die cut machines have an adjustable roller height, but not all, so it may necessary to gather boards of different thicknesses to adjust the height of the roller. On fixed height die cutters pressure must be adjusted by adding or removing material from the bed to change the distance between the roller and bed. Once testing is complete, it is easy to achieve consistent printing results.
Recommended Die Cut Machines:
- Big Shot Sizzix $80: The brand most recommended by printmakers using die cutters as presses. The Big Shot comes in two sizes. The width of the die cutter will determine the widest material you are able to print.
- Other options: ELLISON The RollModel Machine, GrandeMARK 2 Die-Cutting Machine
Here are a few resources that go over the options:
DIY PRINTING METHODS
There are so many DIY options available for printing, from high quality water-jet cut metal parts to repurposing other products, like spoons.
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OTHER SMALL + AFFORDABLE PRESSES
There are tons of these things floating around in the print world! Hand Presses Table Top Presses |
References (still in progress)
https://www.britannica.com/art/printmaking/Plaster-print
https://www.britannica.com/art/printmaking/Plaster-print