Phenolic Bed Plates
Many printing press manufacturers are now offering an alternative to metal bed plates. Phenolic bed plates are especially good if you use water based inks because they donĄ¯t rust. Another advantage is that they are lightweight. Phenolic bed plates are usually sold separately. It is well worth the extra cost if you are buying a new press, and especially worth considering if you need to replace an old metal bed.
Printing Press Maintenance
A quality printing press is no small investment, and a little care and maintenance will ensure you get the most out of the investment. All presses require regular cleaning after use, and itĄ¯s a good idea to keep it dust-free by covering it when not in use. Water-base inks and regular washing can cause rust and corrosion if the press is not kept dry. Etching press chains and rollers will benefit from being wiped down with oil and covered with a dust cover.
Printmaking Techniques and Printing Presses
Printing press is a generic term for the mechanical device that applies pressure onto a press bed in order to transfer an image. But there are many methods of printmaking and different presses such as an etching press, intaglio printing press, and lithography press each possess attributes that work best for specific printmaking techniques. These variations in printing presses were designed to bring out the best in the diverse surfaces used in printmaking ¨C wood, metal plate, plexiglass, book board and stone.
Types of Printmaking
There are four types of printmaking. Relief print is the oldest form of printing, where raised areas on a block of wood or any carvable material is inked and pressed on a surface. Intaglio printing is the same as etching. In this form of printmaking, ink is rubbed into grooves or crevices dug out or eaten away with acid. Lithography was originally created by drawing with an oily crayon on a stone, but it is now most likely drawn on an aluminum plate. Silkscreening is created by blocking out portions of a screen and squeezing ink through a thin cloth stretched across a frame.
Printing Presses
The printing press is a mechanical device that transfers ink to paper from another material, usually a metal plate, wooden block or linoleum sheet. Used to produce multiple pieces of artwork created from the same original, the artist either draws or carves into a surface that is inked and run through a press to apply enough even pressure to transfer the image.
1screen Printing Press
While most printing presses apply pressure to transfer ink from either a raised or etched surface, screen printing makes use of a porous fabric mesh stretched in a frame to create prints. Cut stencils are applied to the fabric mesh, creating blocks, then ink is pressed through the non-stenciled area using a squeegee. Screen printing is familiarly used to create printed t-shirts and hats.
Richeson Press
If you are a printmaker who likes to work in a variety of printmaking techniques, a Richeson press might be a good choice for you. In addition to their versatility, they are strong and solid, with both a macro and micro pressure gauge for fine tuning the amount of pressure to your prints. And they come in a variety of packages and sizes. For the quality of these presses, the prices are quite reasonable.
Aligning Your Printing Press
The importance of an aligned, properly installed printing press cannot be over stated. Rollers that are not parallel from end to end will exert an uneven force, distorting your art. If your press can be rocked from side to side or diagonally, it is not properly aligned. And using an improperly aligned bed will render it useless over time.