Diagram outlining which presses to use based on what is being printed. Courtesy of Letterpress Now , Lark Crafts, Table-top presses are capable of fine printing, but are not be ideal for long runs, or large forms. Styled after the larger floor model presses, they behave nearly identically, but are lever-powered and not as robust. Also included in the table-top press category are sign presses, a flat-bed press with a manually operated hard rubber impression roller.
These are capable of larger printing sizes but are almost always hand-inked. The advantages of these presses are ease of operation, and small size, making them ideal for a printer with limited space.
The disadvantages include the limitation of printed sheet size, ink coverage, and manual operation. This is not necessarily a disadvantage if production is limited in the number of impressions, and small sheet size is preferred.
Floor-model platen presses are usually distinguished by a large fly-wheel on the side. They can produce excellent impression and are designed for longer print runs.
These were the most popular style of presses produced, and they remain the most readily available today. The advantage of this kind of press is its relative availability and affordability , and speed of operation. The disadvantages include ease of transport, sheet size limitations, and some feeding safety questions. Flatbed cylinder proofing presses, dominated by the Vandercook brand, are prized today for their ease of use, printing and paper size, and general safety record.
These presses were originally designed for proofing type before the production run on a sheet-fed press, and have been adopted today by schools and private studios. The advantage of this kind of press is the ability to print a larger form and feed a larger sheet of paper.
The disadvantages are cost, availability, and speed of operation. Fully automated printing presses encompasses numerous different brands, models, and styles.
The best known is the Heidelberg windmill. This press was first designed in the s and is capable of high quality printing at a very high rate of speed.
Automatic feeders were available on other presses at earlier dates. Some of these presses are still used today by larger print shops for die-cutting and hot-foil stamping. Care should be taken when purchasing an automated press as many have been modified for die-cutting or hot foil, and may be missing some or all of their inking assembly.
The advantages are speed, quality and availability. Line Gauge — Printers work in fine measurements where the units of measure are the pica and the point.
Instructions for use are available in our BITS video. Letterpress Inks — rubber based or oil based — Printers prefer one of these two types for letterpress printing because they dry quickly on uncoated paper stock and are an wonderful consistency for all rollers, letterpress type and photopolymer plates.
Letterpress inks are translucent. Boxcar Base — one or many for different projects. The Boxcar Base, part of the Boxcar Base system, is a gridded aluminum block that locks up in your press bed or chase. It is paired with a photopolymer printing plate that is mounted on the base and together they measure type high. The Boxcar Base can be ordered in a size to match all chases. Additional bases can be ordered to outfit each new press who stops at just one press? Or consider multiple sizes of bases based on your project, ie.
Library of Printing Books — start your library of letterpress books with these. There are so many great ones so ask other printers for their suggestions too. Pantone Formula Guide Uncoated — The best source for color matching on uncoated letterpress papers. Invaluable for the formulas for mixing ink. Boxcar Press apron — Fashionable and functional, these aprons are perfect for all pressrooms.
They have multiple pockets and adjustable straps and a vibrant design. The press of your dreams or at least a starter press with chase and new rollers. Tympan Paper — a paper manufactured to cover the cylinder or platen. Pressroom Wash and dispenser — solvent to clean your press rollers, ink disk, bases, letterpress type and Boxcar base. Tape for the rails — on platen presses, the rails have experienced years of wear and may need some tape layers to replace the metal worn away and bring them back to their proper type height — package strapping tape from office supply store.
Furniture — wooden or metal blocks in various sizes that are used as spacers and placed around the base or type form — available from Letterpress Things , NA Graphics , Don Black Linecasting. Tabletop Starter's Kit quantity. Description Additional information. The variety included is based on the size of your printing press, which we need you to indicate when purchasing this kit.
We are selling convenience here—this is not a profit center for us. P lay with different PMS colors on a pallet before buying in bulk. For most letterpress hobbyists, this amount of ink can last for many dozens of jobs depending on your frequency of printing. New, heavy duty denim printers apron with pockets for letterpress tools such as line gauges, tools, pencils, etc.
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