Episode 027 - Creative Mark School Etching Press Review

This time its something a little different, I do a review of my Creative Mark School Etching Press.
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[@stevelan4415]

Excellent points made. I am considering this press along with others, and you have helped a lot. Thank you.

[@g_vezz]

Thank you for a good and honest review. I just purchased this and experiencing the same problems. But, honestly, in a small New York apartment during a pandemic, it will have to do. Applying patience of course.

[@sarahoconnor4874]

thanks for the detailed review, really helpful and clearly explained, I didn't understand geared and direct drive before, you made it very simple to understand

[@mattpernack6816]

Your Welcome. I am glad I was able to help.

[@TheMgilbertsen]

Just bought one of these and thanks for explaining everything and identifying issues that made the press (seriously) not so great, and especially offering some advice on what to do to try to improve the thing. Wish I had seen this during my research and review process. I did read a review that said to use a feeder and a catcher felt would significantly improve the quality of the resulting prints. I haven't figured out what the difference is between the two or how I should apply the felts yet...I have them and will experiment. I wondered about the bed flopping down at the end of the rotation process and am considering adding some additional extension supports to hopefully fix this. I did add some sticky stair tread strips to the bottom of the bed but it still slipped/binded up so will try the wood and layer with the rubber shelf stuff. The calibration is a pain to dial in - and more experience will be needed. Arrgh, it was easier to pull a good print by hand! Thanks again for your video.

[@guillermoleija3734]

6:30 That is the exact problem I'm facing right now, been using this for practicing my linocuts and now that I am thinking of mass producing my work it starts to fail and not griping the metal bed correctly. Thanks for the video.

[@mattpernack6816]

I discovered a little trick. If you mount 2 skinny pieces of Lino with double sided tape along the sides of the bed it won’t happen. The roller basically sits on the Lino strips which are the same height as your carved lino so it doesn’t get pushed off the bed as easily .

[@guillermoleija3734]

@@mattpernack6816 Oh I already do that, but the thing is that the metal bed it's starting to wear down so the roller wont grab it sometimes. Been thinking to just start to use the other side 😁 But instead of that, gonna try to use a plywood bed first. Thanks for your answer! Keep printing

[@MrGrimlock2099]

This was a great review! Was looking at this press to buy but I don’t think it will work for what I want to do

[@mattpernack6816]

I'm just glad I could help you make an informed decision.

[@serafinis]

Hi. Thank you for the review. How has the press been working after 3 years?

[@mattpernack6816]

I sadly can not answer that question very well. I have not been able to do too much printmaking as of late. A family situation has made it very difficult to find time to be able to create art. I would say I have been able to print a small edition every 3 to 4 months in the last 2 years. It has held up good and just as good as the day I bought it.

[@serafinis]

@@mattpernack6816 Thank you very much for your reply. I'm still considering whether to buy a press. I hope you will return to printmaking. Sooner or later, art always finds its way back to us.