PRINTMAKING PRESS Review - Conrad Machine Co. E15

[@rondavis7604]

This is a very helpful video. I wish you'd make a video about adjusting the pressure on the Conrad etching press for relief Printing with Lino cuts, monoprinting with plastic/styrene plates, for collagraphs, as well as for etchings on metal plates. I have had several collage level courses in printmaking, but they never covered how they had determined the pressure for the various types of prints that we made . Pp

[@smishstudio]

Love this suggestion! I'll have to dig out some of my older plates to demonstrate it.

[@11olearyk]

Amazing video!! I've been reviewing all the info about my order of a very LARGE monotype press from Conrad and found your review so HELPFUL! Thanks a million for posting this. Truly artists helping artists, and you are a SAINT for this helpful interesting and useful review. Also kudos, she is absolutely beautiful! I have to approve the quote still but hope to keep following you as a fellow printer! Thanks a million and congratulations on your exciting new chapter!

[@smishstudio]

Thank you so much! I'm glad this review is helpful because I remember not finding much info about presses when I was searching for mine! Congrats on your next chapter too! It's such an exciting step.

[@TheJazehner]

Again, thank you so much for making this!!! Exactly in your position trying to decide on a press and this has been phenomenally helpful.

[@smishstudio]

You are so welcome! I'm really glad it's helped!

[@JustinLCecil]

If you decide to start printing etchings, I've been building out my home studio setup for etching and have tons of tips on doing so affordably and safely.

[@smishstudio]

I think I should have said intaglio. I'm considering doing drypoint/engraving, mezzotint, and playing with tetra pak. I would love to do copper plate etchings again, but I'm worried about the fumes. Do you have ventilation? I'm really curious to hear more about your set up! Thanks!

[@JustinLCecil]

@@smishstudio No ventilation needed for the edinburg etch I use, the solvents, or the ground. I use a large airtight food storage container for my "etch tank." I use BIG intaglio ground, the largest electric griddle I could find for heating the ground, citristrip to remove the ground, a "bus" box for paper soaking, and towels to blot. For ink I like Charbonnel 55985 aqua wash if feeling spendy, if not akua. Both can clean up with soap and water or simple green. This is basically just a cheaper version of what i'm having my Etching I students use on campus.

[@smishstudio]

@@JustinLCecil Seriously, thank you for all the details. I really appreciate your insights. Printmaking can feel a little overwhelming and confusing with all the different tools/materials and processes. Especially since I don’t know any other printmakers offline haha

[@SCADrat]

This was a really imPRESSive review!

[@smishstudio]

I see what you did there

[@swthouse1]

Thanks for the review! I recently also went on a hunt for press reviews and found it lacking as well. I got a Blick Econo 2 because I am not up to the point of needing something more and the price was better for now. While it will serve my needs I can see updating in the future. I will definitely give the Conrad a look once I am to that point.

[@smishstudio]

You’re welcome! It’s honestly a wild goose chase to find informative reviews on presses. It’s a very niche artform/hobby. I feel like I’ll have more to say about this press as I use it for more years. Congrats on your press! The Blick Econo press 2 was definitely on my list, but I didn’t know anyone who had one.

[@LoriFahy]

wow print making is such a huge investment.. but like most things, you get what you pay for really.. thanks for sharing this information.. it should help anyone thats looking up setting up .. .. great video :)

[@smishstudio]

Thank you! It doesn't have to be this big of an investment. For people who do it purely for fun, they can use a wooden spoon for printing. But you do get what you pay for with printmaking presses, which I learned the hard way 😅

[@debvc6]

I tried with an old t-shirt press, unplugged, that I found at a flea market. It let me get my feet wet at home - outside of school. I've also tried wooden spoon printing and did a bit of work that way. But this review has been very helpful and I am in contact with Conrad to buy the E-15. I am ready after 5 years of these other methods. But at the same time, I am a photographer, film and digital - talk about investments! If the public only understood the value of that piece of art and all of the tools needed just to do any medium of art. Most of the cost of selling a piece of art is hardly touching the cost of the supplies, much less the education and experience in never-ending practice.

[@MF-rp9ox]

Wow, thanks for these videos. I was all set to buy the Conrad 18" Monotype press, but put it all off for a while. I'm now decided on this same press because I want to have the capabilities of other materials that the monotype won't accomodate.

[@smishstudio]

You're welcome! I think it's good to have a more versatile press unless you are super specialized with your printmaking. Congrats on picking one!

[@glynnismcc4549]

I have the basic etching press from Jackson's Art ( I live in the UK) (Italian made) and use a baby changing table. The press is wonderful, although not very big and the changing table is good because it is at a height that doesn't require any bending which I think is a big plus. When I graduate to working more professionally rather than just for my own pleasure, I will get this E15 press. I really like what you have to say about it. Thank you!

[@smishstudio]

Thank you! It’s a great press. A little pricey brand new, but I don’t regret it. I love it so much! Very reliable and consistent prints!

[@JakeBroe]

Great channel! You seem very creative!

[@smishstudio]

Thank you!

[@lukeroswold5557]

Did you ever consider getting the micrometer gauges with your press?

[@rrrubiera]

Just order one of this, per your advise.

[@meganbenjoseph7692]

Thanks so much for all this info! Iʻm looking to set up printmaking for a high school art classroom. Mostly planning on block printing, monotype, and collagraph. Any thoughts on the E-12 vs E-15? Is the micrometer gauge helpful/ necessary? Weʻve done a lot of printmaking by hand, but Iʻve never used a press and want to set this up right, for us all to grow into.Thank you again for being such a tremendous resource!

[@smishstudio]

That's awesome! This press can also do etchings. The difference between the E12 and E15 is mainly price and print size. You just have to weight out what is more important. I don't have the micrometer guage, and I don't think it's necessary. Feeling out the pressure by hand and doing a few test prints before each printing session will help you get in tune with the press. I have a press recommendations video with other options that might be helpful!

[@johnreskusich2324]

Thank you. Great video.

[@smishstudio]

You’re welcome!

[@jcdyer3]

If you're still thinking about names, consider Presscilla.

[@smishstudio]

Hahaha I like it! It's on the list now

[@ryanrougeux214]

The snap intro tho :)

[@rebekkaanderson8538]

Great video! Thanks for the review! I haven’t used presses before, but I guess I’m assuming that changing the pressure can change the “salty-ness” of your prints...although I’m sure it’s a balance between ink and pressure. Any thoughts on pressure setting? Have you had any issues keeping things from sliding around on the press bed? Thanks for the beta! (I also love the dried pressed flowers on your wall..nice touch!)

[@smishstudio]

Thank you! Presses can help smooth out salty texture, but it also depends on the texture of the ink when you roll the block and if there is enough ink rolled on. My blocks have never slid around on this press while printing. The blankets help prevent that. I also keep my hand on top of the block until I feel the roller catch it. I’ve made little “ramps” out of layers of cardboard that help the roller gradually rise up onto the block so the block doesn’t get pushed by the roller.

[@lefthandstory1280]

Awesome...great video👍....

[@smishstudio]

Thanks!

[@fernworks]

I had a question about the star wheel handle. In most pictures online I see the star wheel attached to the top roller. Yours is on the lower. Is that something you can change as needed? Thanks!

[@smishstudio]

As far as I know, the wheel or crank handle is always attached to the bottom roller, so it can roll the press bed under the top roller. The top roller is just for pressure. There was no option to have the wheel on the top. Hope that helps!

[@fernworks]

@@smishstudio Thanks for the response! Great video :)