How To Use The Creative Mark Basic Etching Press

[@Deezak18]

Great Demo Thank you. Clearly needs some tweaks like being bolted down but I'm convinced. Having a press at this price point that is portable and affordable is fantastic.

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Thanks, we agree having a press at this price point that is portable and affordable is fantastic. www.jerrysartarama.com/school-etching-press

[@bakurasgirl549]

Would you be willing to revisit this and do a demo with an etching plate?

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

I'll pass on to the powers that be and see what we can do.

[@edisongewargis7818]

do you have one for sale? and how much

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Thanks for the question @edisongewargis7818. You can find this great Etching Press here: www.jerrysartarama.com/school-etching-press

[@johnreskusich2324]

Thank you for the great video.

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Our pleasureJohn. Thanks for watching. Stay creative and keep creating!

[@HorribleGamingFun]

how do these go with metal and plexiglass plates?

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Hello, Rivyn. Sorry it's taken so long for us to get back to you. I have used this press with metal and plexiglass plates. I did have to adjust the roller for the different plate thickness, but it worked very well. First, make sure the roller bar is properly aligned. Set the press on as flat a surface and loosen all the bolts with the included hex-key. Let the frame come into alignment and gradually tighten the bolts on each side until they are uniformly snug. You might also lubricate the Bearings with synthetic oil. Put a felt blanket where metal meets metal on anything that moves. You can add the felt blanket by turning the crank and rolling the rollers. The press is bottom driven, meaning it needs sufficient pressure before the bed will engage. You will need to experiment with setting the press by feel- this is something that you have to learn by trial and error. Turn the gauges clockwise for more pressure. You might need to use less pressure or add another printing blanket to your press to properly engage the press. Be ready to push hard on the bed while cranking if the pressure is high. I hope this information is helpful.

[@RobertGaypaleorob]

You say you calibrated it and that it was easy...but how do you calibrate it? This is my first-ever press (got it as a gift) and since it didn't come with instructions in the box I don't know how to do this apparently basic/easy step that you did prior to filming. Any help or resources?

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Each time you make a print the height of the roller has to be calibrated to fit with whatever linoleum block you are printing with. The knobs on the top left and right side of the press are what adjusts the roller height. Figuring out what height works best requires experimenting and running the block through to see what pressure gives you the best results.

[@RobertGaypaleorob]

Also, what is a "sticky stair tread?" An art supply? Home improvement supply?

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Th sticky stair tread that Amy is referring to is a home improvement supply. Its a material that is sticky on one side and has tread on the other to make staircases less slippery. Here she mentioned that she uses it to keep the block from slipping while she prints!

[@RobertGaypaleorob]

@@JerrysartaramaArtSupply thank you!

[@Ingridlacet]

I have received the same press and have trouble with printing. The feld slides over the running plate, I saw you were using tape to attach the inked plate but it wont stick. I also noticed both rollers are a bit greasy with oil do i need to remove the oil from the rollers ?

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Thank you for reaching out. Your description does not reflect the experience we would expect when it comes to this product and we would like the opportunity to work with you to help troubleshoot! Please contact our Customer Service Department at [e-mail] or 1-800-827-8478 where one of our agents will be happy to assist!

[@duffyaskin8760]

What press to you recommend for monoprints, intaglio, relief printing , etching on a somewhat larger scale.? I am comparing it to the Fome Press etching press 3623.

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Thank you for your question! In comparing the Fome Press (3623), it appears that we have two options for you: www.jerrysartarama.com/school-etching-press This press is slightly smaller than the one you mentioned. www.jerrysartarama.com/deluxe-etching-presses-0049977000000 And this press is slightly larger/heavier, but has about the same size press bed as the Fome Press. We do have larger options, depending on your needs, but both of these are comparable to the 3623 model.

[@kaibilbalam7151]

Hi there!!! Thank you for the demo., is it possible to print shirts with this press? Thank you again🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@madman3891]

No it''s too small, if you tried to fold the shirt to accommodate for the size limitations the shirt would get stuck between the rollers.

[@kaibilbalam7151]

Madman0001 ok i see thank you!!

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Dear Kaibil- Sorry we are so late in replying to you. The Creative Mark Etching Press is designed to work with linoleum, ez-cut block blocks, poly etching sheets, metal plates, or monoprinting plates only. The type of printing that is used to make shirts is screen printing, also known as Seriography, which is the printmaker's term for fine art silkscreen prints (think Andy Warhol works). Here is a link to products we carry that fall into that category: search.jerrysartarama.com/search?w=screen%20printing

[@CONEHEADDK]

Be creative - I bet you can.

[@margaretbearden7273]

I just received one of these for my classroom! Will it work with Gelli plates? What about plexiglass monoprints?

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

@MargaretBearden Yes, these will absolutely work with Gelli plates and all sorts of Monoprinting processes. Just be sure to set your wheel height properly so you don't destroy your plates when you roll them through! You'll want a good, even, firm pressure but not so much that you struggle to get the plates through the press.

[@ludwinvart5409]

Any wider presses?

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Hello Ludwin! Thank you for the question, and yes! We do offer larger presses. The Creative Mark Deluxe Etching Presses come in Small (12.5in rollers), Medium (20.25in rollers), and Pro (28.25in rollers): www.jerrysartarama.com/deluxe-etching-presses

[@mfgonz]

Question! What's the benefit of using this type of press? It seems easier / faster / cheaper to do it by hand (just pressing the lino on the paper) and it delivers the same results. (Just wondering why a press is beneficial)

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Dear Maria - Sorry we are late replying to your question. The Creative Mark Etching Press can pull prints faster than hand registration will take, even though you can get similar quality proofs when doing it by hand. If you are doing larger editions than 5 in limited edition printing runs, or have an open edition you pull from, the ability to run a dozen prints really quickly is a great time saver, instead of maybe two prints in the same time period! Additionally, consider the hand fatigue over time with by hand only print pulling, it's more than just a time saver. If you don't print but once in awhile, it may not be cost effective in the long run for some artists-- but any artist that enjoys doing consistent printing will really benefit from the use of a press.

[@g_vezz]

Far more consistent...with the press

[@lynndaly1893]

Mine will not roll through. What am I doing wrong.

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

Thank you for reaching out to ask this question Lynn. I am sorry that you are having trouble with the printing press. You are not doing anything wrong. This type of press just requires that you experiment and tinker with the roller settings especially when working with different printing plates. First, make sure the press is properly aligned. Set the press on as flat a surface and loosen all the bolts with the included hex-key. Let the frame come into alignment and gradually tighten the bolts on each side until they are uniformly snug. You can count the rings on the bolts to make sure that the roller is evenly set. You might also lubricate the Bearings with synthetic oil. Put a drop where metal meets metal on anything that moves and work it in by turning the crank and rolling the rollers. The press is bottom driven, meaning it needs sufficient pressure before the bed will engage. You will need to experiment with setting the press by feel- this is something that you have to learn by trial and error. Turn the gauges clockwise for more pressure. You might need to use less pressure or add another printing blanket to your press to properly engage the press. Be ready to push hard on the bed while cranking if the pressure is high.

[@CONEHEADDK]

If the machine is straight, why not just count rounds with the adjustment screws, instead of the paper measure.?

[@JerrysartaramaArtSupply]

The machine is straight, and you can count the threads of the adjustment screws when calibrating the press. Amy wanted to use a visual aid for the video, and the paper measure was a quick way of suggesting that folks record the calibrations they might use for different printing plates.

[@CONEHEADDK]

@@JerrysartaramaArtSupply Cool. I probably wasn't listening, as I often watch things like this, while listening to educational stuff, and drawing or something else creative with my hands.