BATTLE OF THE PRESSES!

It had to be done! I recently overheard a conversation about how the more you pay for an etching press the better a print you get, that it needs to have a huge roller and be super heavy. Unusually for me I didn't butt in, but I have been thinking about it since and about how those who can't afford a traditional etching press are left out of the joy of intaglio printmaking with this belief. Don't get me wrong I love my traditional press but if we are just talking performance then......🤔
In this video I put my Etching press against the Sizzix Big Shot Pro. They have the same width roller. On each press I printed 4 different types of plate, this is a photopolymer solarplate "photo gravure" A5 in size printed using Akua ink on 300gm watercolour paper.
I wasn’t surprised by the results. but many people will be. I've added details and photos of all four prints to my blog post Under Pressure
sallyhirstcourses.com/under-p...
It is 24 minutes long so make a cuppa!
The differences?
1. The roller of the sizzix is fixed, but I show in the video how I slide paper underneath the plate to get the correct pressure.
2. The Etching press will outlive me and probably my daughter, but the sizzix will give up plenty of prints, and for those on a budget it could make the difference between printing or not, especially in schools.
3. The cost! NB. In the video I state the etching press is £1500, I have been asked by the manufacturer to rectify this, the price is £1090. The Sizzix was £229 so the difference in price is only £861
Regardless of my mistake the fact remains you could buy FOUR Sizzix Pro machines for the price of one etching press.
Of course a traditional etching press will last a lifetime, but they are expensive if you are not sure you will continue with printmaking. A die cut machine will last you long enough to find out, then when you are ready you can invest in a traditional press.
UPDATE Feb 2024
The manufacturer of the etching press complained about this video, but clearly didn't listen to it as I state clearly that a traditional etching press will last a lifetime, and is fully adjustable. The results are the same.
I am not going to apologise for making this video, other than getting the price wrong. My intention was to highlight that very good prints can be made on die cut machines, prints of an equal quality. I have been using them for years now in schools and colleges since tearing my shoulder rotator cuff lifting the 'portable' press that you see in the video.
But I feel strongly that too many people feel excluded from the joys of printmaking as they cannot afford a traditional press. I have taught hundreds of people worldwide and having got the bug they then go on to buy professional presses such as this, which incidently is one of a number on my list of recommendations. Far from disparaging traditional presses I am promoting them through encouraging printmaking!
What the manufacturer should be doing is developing a lightweight, compact and portable press that would be an affordable alternative to a craft die machine. At the time of writing my Sizzix is going strong and I have sold the etching press.

[@amherst88]

You are the queen of no-nonsense best practices Sally -- I'm not a printmaker (except on a gel press) but you've made the whole process seem a lot more accessible -- *thanks!*

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

Thanks so much 😊

[@jeancockburn7977]

I use a Sizzix Big Shot Pro. I bought it during pandemic lock down so that I could finish a college printmaking course online and print at home. It works very well indeed, as you have demonstrated. I made my own blanket following the layers that I remembered from class, using wool fabrics from home textile art work. And it continues to work well for the original design of die cutting. Given how sturdy it is, I have cut chipboard and aluminum sheeting for sculptural pieces. Heavy, huge, does not fold away - but then neither does an etching press.

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

Great!

[@treemerryweather]

that was a wonderful video. I am very happy that I found your channel!!! thanks.

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

Welcome!

[@kilaamos6070]

I'm so impressed! I have a Sizzix Big Shot which I'm going to try out . . . thank you Sally!

[@lyndatan5470]

Hi Sally, thanks for the comparison video. I have just bought a Sizzix big shot pro, and in process of setting it up. Can you tell me the size of the board that you are using as a bed. Thanks. Love your videos.

[@bethduffus4598]

Thank you for doing all the background work on these presses. This video (and your other one on the six smaller presses) have been very helpful to me. I am returning to printing after a long time so I think I might start with a 2nd hand Sizzix big shot plus until I get back into my groove (ha ha) but might 'graduate' to the Big Shot Pro in the future. The latter is clearly quite hefty at 19 kg but, more importantly, does it fold away? I do not have a lot of spare space for a machine that size to be sitting out on a table all the time. Your advice would be appreciated. Many thanks again.

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

Yes it's hefty, but no it doesn't fold away...

[@lynwilliamson1129]

I have an old FIskars Die and Letter Press (sadly no longer available) which I use as a portable. It is used the same way as the Big Shot Pro. So if you can find a second hand one these are equally as good. But nothing matches my etching press.

[@charalson3023]

Hi Sally! I just bought a Sizzix Big Shot Pro and am looking forward to trying out printing using this press! I do have questions about “press blankets” & wondered if you would please explain: 1. Are you using the dry erase piece as the CUSHION blanket? 2. Is the newsprint paper the CATCHER “blanket”? 3. What are you using as the PUSHER blanket? Thank you so much and Merry Christmas😊

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

The dry erase is on the bed to be easy wipe, not as a blanket? The newsprint catches any stray ink. No need for a pusher on this size press... 🙂

[@lynnbradshaw6279]

After watching you compare different die cutting machines, I got myself a Sissix Pro. My set up is a bit Heath Robinson but I get results. They are pretty versatile - I ran an inked up gel plate through mine last week and got some interesting results😆

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

Fab!! but why a gel plate? Id be worried out it getting squashed. The press will give the same print by just inking a piece of thin plastic, its what we did before gelli plates were invented.. :)

[@lynnbradshaw6279]

@@sallyhirstartisttutor6324 I didn't put too much pressure on it so it didn't actually get very squashed. I am working with graphite, compressed charcoal and out of the tube watercolour paints and wanted to see what kind of textures I could get using the press. It wasn't really worth the effort and I will go back to plexiglass.

[@patdennis4547]

Hi Sally, I’ve just bought a used big shot pro for £100! Can you tell me the length of the board you are using and the size of the dry wipe. Thanks Sally

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

Congratulations! Mine is 75cm but anything over 60cm would be fine. Mines made from an ikea kitchen door. My drywipe is 30 x 75 I bought a roll on ebay. ☺

[@pennycandyys]

I haven't really been that interested in abstract type of work, but man that photo gravure is gorgeous! I would definitely like to try that technique. Quick question though, I've heard something about a halo over time with regards to Akua inks, I was wondering if you've had this issue? With regards to comparisons of the two machines, I'm confused as to why anyone would think there would be a difference. Work passes underneath a roller at pressure for both of them. Other than ease of use, or if one machine had two rollers and the other only one, why would there be any difference? Essentially they are the same. For ease of use and speed with your press, instead of adjusting your screws up top, a person could just add extra paper to increase pressure, like you do with the Sizzix. I do think it's awesome that you made the comparison between the two presses though, for artists to see. And I especially love that you showed us several types of plates. Thank you so much!

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

Akua needs stirring thoroughly as the pigments settle. I've only had halos once when I used it for relief printing. I've been using Akua for 20years now, love how it doesnt dry in the plate and how I can control its viscosity and use any print for collage, although it can reawaken if wetted so I seal papers before hand. After filming that I sold on my proper etching press, happy to just use the Sizzix. There's a lot of snobbery about presses, I went to a talk recently where the printmaker made a big thing of 'you need to spend at least £1k and have huge rollers' I had to zip my mouth firmly shut! 😂

[@pennycandyys]

Okay that’s good to know, thank you. I was afraid to try them, but they seem like they would be very useful. Haha, I would have really struggled to zip my mouth! 😅🤣🤣 I can kind of understand, but then there’s logic. But despite what I said, I’d really love to have your little press, it’s so cute! Just as an aside, I saw where another group of printers, I think relief, have been using cold-laminators. I suppose it would work for etchings as well, and you can get them cheap, but I still think I would rather have a metal roller and blankets. You’re a pleasure to watch Sally, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. 🇨🇦

[@pennycandyys]

Also thanks for that little bit of info, that you sold your press in favour of the Sizzix, it helps to know that you’re that confident of the machine.

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

@@pennycandyys the CPL hss rubber rollers which a) absorb the pressure needed for intaglio and b) if you try to crank up the pressure the rollers bow in the middle... I bought one, sold it on 😂

[@pennycandyys]

@@sallyhirstartisttutor6324 Haha! 😂Yeah, I try to stick with tried and true, simply because of my budget and space. I've watched your videos on etching presses over and over, many times for that reason! Having said that, I think we are similar in that way, because I do love to experiment. Even if it's just in my head. I was wondering if it takes much force to crank the work through the rollers? I'm not getting over back surgery very well, but I'm dying to try etching!

[@63swarren]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXTQi62Ibdifr9Ufeature=shared Hi Sally I am looking for something a bit bigger that my Xcut Xpress and have found your videos really useful...so a big thanks from me! I do not have a big budget, so I was pleased with your "battle" results. Have you tried the press mentioned in the youtube video above at all? Many thanks Sue

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

Hi, I'm glad it helped. Since filming that I've sold my 'proper' press as the larger Sizzix Pro is perfect 👌 Yes, Ive tried the ones in the video, they are fine for drypoint, tetrapak and lino. But not enough pressure for collagraphy. The rubber rollers absorb the pressure. The larger Suzzix is a better build.

[@63swarren]

@@sallyhirstartisttutor6324 thanks again. That is great to know!

[@RamoArt]

I always thought these die cut machines were plastic.. When you knocked on it I was quite surprised. They just look so incredibly tacky and cheap, I simply could not get myself to spend that amount of money on something that I'd be ashamed to have sitting in my "studio", which happens to be my living room. It's a shame because it seems like this machine especially is very capable... Why does it have to look like an outdated children's toy though 😞

[@sallyhirstartisttutor6324]

I agree...its designed to appeal to a certain demographic? Maybe cover it with a nice cloth between sessions....

[@RamoArt]

@@sallyhirstartisttutor6324 I bought a tiny Fome press. It looks sleek and is quite inconspicuous. Cost me a lot more than what a die cut machine would have cost but oh well, that's the price I pay for vanity I guess