What Press Should You Buy

[@JustinLCecil]

In the sub $2k price range (all of these ship to the US) Arteina tabletop press (from Spain, the press I was going to get before I found a 2nd hand e-15), the Hawthorn 545 Printmaster or 405 (from the UK), Thomas Presses from (from Canada offer the largest size for the money), the Ironbridge Little Thumper or, Press No.1 (from the UK). The arteina would be my sub $2k pick for quality if printing on the small size.

[@smishstudio]

THANK YOU! I wish I got one of the Thomas Presses now. This is a really awesome addition to my list.

[@JenxRodwell]

I found this VERY useful, thank you! I've been thinking about getting a press in order to try and get better prints out of my linocuts, and the prices have been...discouraging, especially for someone like me who does this purely as a hobby. I've been eyeballing an old book press, the kind that uses a screw to lower it's top plate, and I've seen someone use that type for lino printing too, so I think that might work as well. I am glad to hear that the Speedball Book Press is also not completely awful and actually can be used to get prints, so I might get that eventually as it's the cheapest option. That, or just get a baren and hope for the best!

[@berolinastrassmann]

Thanks 👍👍👍 this was super useful. I started printed by hand with a spoon, moved on to a brayer. Commandeered a craft type die cut print for my first lino prints. Based on your advice and my needs and circumstances I ended up buying a FOME 3623 press (mentioned as Etching press from Creative Mark in your video) I got it in Germany for around €330, it is made in Italy. A good option for those based in Europe. It is good enough for now as I get started. I can put it away easily and move it if I need it. It weighs 17kg and fits in a big IKEA Samla Box if and when I need to move it. It has a 30cm x 60cm plate. I can replace it with an MDF plate if I want a longer version. I don't have a dedicated space, so ease of storage and moving was important. I would not have made the decision without the info on this video. Thanks a lot again! Oh, by the way, Woodzilla is made in the Netherlands. The maker is called Jan, and he builds them all by hand. They are great presses too. I decided against them because they have a weird shape and are not so easy for me to put away. But it might be perfect for other print artists.

[@ilyayudovsky9393]

Thank you for the video! There are two additional interesting options for artists\hobby printmakers, who want to get a cheap option to learn\experiment with printmaking with a "real" etching press - the press by Open Press Project - it's a tiny (A7) press you can make yourself with 3D printer, but technologically it's just a very real small press, similar to commercially avaliable Gecko Pk 120. Another option, not free, but relatively cheap and with a good work size (9"x12") - "provisional press". It's more like a proofing press machine, but still, it gives you an opportunity to make linocut and wood prints and learn to work with real printing equipment.

[@Bretts_Builds]

About to get started with Linocut printing, thank you for the advice!

[@pgray1971]

this is such a useful and helpful rundown, thank you

[@carolepivarnik9316]

Thanks so much for this video, very helpful comparisons and info. I've been bitten by the printmaking bug and really want a press so your video is going to help me decide how to go.

[@johnreskusich2324]

Amazing video. Thank you for making and sharing this. much gratitude.

[@deannawebster6294]

SUPER helpful take, thank you!

[@smishstudio]

You are so welcome!

[@KpxUrz5745]

Living in Soho back in the 80's I bought a Martech press made by a sole proprietor and retired engineer out on Long Island. He basically machined his presses in his garage. It is quite well made, and zero complaints except maybe that I did not spring for the nice microgauges which are good to have. Mine has an 18" wide top roller and 18"x30" thick aluminum bed (not heavy steel). It is a great press, but of course these are vintage and no longer made. Additionally, back then I actually met Charles Brand and his brother, both quite old at that time, out at their factory space on the east side around E. 10th St, Manhattan. Since I love Brand presses so much, having used them back in art school (Pratt), I am quite fond of the memory of having visited the aging Brand brothers who offered so much to the world of printmaking. Even now I would still love to own a Charles Brand press! Btw, you did a nice job of running down descriptions of many press options.

[@smishstudio]

Thank you so much for sharing about your press, and I imagine it was awesome getting to meet someone who contributed so much to the print community! I've never heard of them before, but the Martech presses look super well made.

[@fri784]

Hello and Thanks for your video!A question: Are the manual presses suitable for engraving on copper?I'm thinking of Mozilla for example, I'm only a hobbist but i'd like to try this way....Best regards

[@glynnismcc4549]

Thanks for your review and listing - really helpful and I wish I had seen it earlier. There are very few such reviews on KZbin or anywhere else. 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. It is also very stable, having been manufactured for precious infants. 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]

I’m glad to hear the Basic Etching Press is working well for you. I wish I had gotten that one earlier in my printmaking career instead of taking a two year break from printmaking to save up for a press. The baby changing table is a really smart idea! I have since realized I should have made my press stand taller since I’m a tallish person!

[@jan.gregor]

I understand it's an older video, but I'm surprised no one here mentions Ritualis Press? Their presses definitely have the best features of any press currently on the market.

[@smishstudio]

YES! I only learned about their press in the last year or so, but I agree that it's another great option. Thanks for adding to the list!

[@emilyflux]

I see you made this a while ago, but I wanted to add my thanks for sharing your research here. It’s a big investment, and I appreciate your advice. Hope your work is going well.

[@smishstudio]

Thank you! I’m glad it’s been helpful!

[@eriche8870]

Thank you. You were very helpful

[@smishstudio]

You're welcome! Glad it helped 😃

[@tommangan7]

can't say just how useful this video was! I was wondering if you had an opinion on using a cold press laminator (with the rubber roller) as a lino printing press? as one can be picked up for around $100 with very large roller widths.

[@smishstudio]

I think that could work, but I’ve never tried it before. Let me know if you try it!

[@tommangan7]

@@smishstudio seriously debating picking one up as a first press so will report back :)!

[@smishstudio]

Awesome 🙌🏻 I look forward to hearing about it!

[@tommangan7]

@@smishstudio So I ended up ordering a woodzilla press instead... I couldn't resist!

[@TheJazehner]

I have a cold press laminator and do reduction prints. In terms of pressure, it’s great! But, in terms of registration, it’s a pain in the butt. If you do 1 layer prints I think it could work really well, but it hops around enough going in that it doesn’t do super well with reduction. That said, if you wanted to build some sort of runner to stabilize the bed, it might fair a little better.

[@MBKaae]

Very helpful, thank you :-) I'm new to printing. Just got into monotype a few months ago and have become obsessed. So far I've only printed by hand but am thinking I will need a press soon. The Woodzilla type press you mention will that work with monotype or only lino print?

[@smishstudio]

Congrats! I’m not sure if it will work with monotype, but you could probably contact their customer support and ask. I imagine it could work, but I’m not super experienced with monotype printing. Good luck!

[@MBKaae]

@@smishstudio Thank you :-)

[@TheJazehner]

Okay, for starters, THANK YOU for making this!! Sooo helpful. I'm a hobbiest printmaker who mostly does linocut and I came across this video RIGHT before I was about to pull the trigger on my first press, a Dick Blick 906 (honestly, I still might, with shipping it's still cheaper than a lot of options and I don't think I need anything too too hefty for lino). That said, this was so so so helpful. Have you used a speedball press? At the end you said you'd just get the basic model with direct drive. Any thoughts on geared presses vs direct drive? Also, didn't realize that the E-12 was that inexpensive (you know, for a press).

[@smishstudio]

I believe I already mentioned this in my insta convo with you. Sorry I didn't see your comment here earlier! I thought I would answer here too just in case someone is reading through the comments. I think the press I used in college was a geared drive speedball press. It was great, and having the geared drive was nice for high volume printing. I think the non-geared drive is fine for most people, especially hobbyist printers. I've done up to 80 prints in a couple days and didn't feel like I needed the extra help of a geared press, but I could imagine wanting it if you print A LOT (like a ton) on a daily/weekly basis. Also, it's worth it to save up for the press with add-ons that you feel you want. This is likely going to be the most important piece of equipment you buy for your art making, and you don't want to skimp on a couple extra hundred dollars when you're spending potentially thousands. That being said, I wish I had gotten one of the cheaper (sub $500) presses straight out of school to get more experience with before purchasing my press now. Congrats on your press too! It's an exciting step in your print career! You won't be able to call yourself a hobbyist for much longer!!!

[@pennycandyys]

@@smishstudio I've been watching a lady using a Sizzix Big Shot, a die cut machine, and it looks like it's working very well for her. You cannot manually adjust the depth, but you can just either add or take away 'stuffing,' so that it passes effectively through the rollers. I haven't yet tried to print, but I got interested in Tetra Pak printing and am really wanting to try, but the cost of a printer is definitely prohibitive. As someone mentioned, you can order that teeny little press by the Open Press Project, but it's $200 and only prints a very small area. For almost the cost, the Big Shot will print a much larger size. I am also considering the AccuQuilt Go!, and there is a quite a bit larger version, which is the Studio 2, these are both portable, and can be folded up to conserve space if needed. The larger Sizzix version is the Big Shot Plus, and I really like this low model, however it is not portable, the sides do not fold up, so you would have to dedicate space to it. These are not proper etching presses, but given their lower prices, they would do for someone who wants to realistically wet their feet and see if it's something they want to continue. Here's a link where she uses the Big Shot kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmS0Y6Slec2AfJo , I see she also has a video on using a pasta machine.

[@MBDronePhoto]

I thought it was my cat causing all the ruckus... LOL. Thank you for the video.

[@eldavid79]

Thank you for your video,

[@365daysofveronica]

Can you make a video about the different types of printing? Linocut, relief, etc. it’s confusing me 😅

[@smishstudio]

Love this idea! I can do that!

[@patrickjmolloy]

I checked out the Woodzilla press and I’ve ordered one. I’m like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for it to arrive.

[@smishstudio]

Congratulations! That’s awesome 👏🏻 Please let me know how you like it after a few months of use. I’m considering getting one for smaller lino prints.

[@patrickjmolloy]

@@smishstudio I will indeed.

[@patrickjmolloy]

@@smishstudio My press has just been delivered. I'm planning to do some test prints of a new design tomorrow.

[@smishstudio]

@@patrickjmolloy that’s awesome 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Let me know how it goes!

[@patrickjmolloy]

@@smishstudio I've just printed the first colour in a new print, with an edition of 50, plus 5 sheets of make-ready, using Caligo Safe-Wash inks on hot pressed watercolour paper. The results are consistently good, with clear, crisp edges and uniform ink coverage. It took 4 hours and the physical demands of using the press were OK. I have osteoarthritis in my hands, wrists and elbows, so like you, I experience some difficulties, but I was able to use the press with minimal after effects. I'm still refining the right amount of pressure and the duration of pressure, in order to find the least amount of energy required to pull a clean print, but I'm very pleased with this first colour. If you're thinking of getting a smaller version, the A4 one would be more versatile than the even smaller one. Mine is an A3 one and coped well with 0.85mm TB pins.

[@stourleykracklite7663]

To intaglio printmakers: go small with a metal spoon and tendonitis until you can afford the least expensive Conrad. Then once you get rich from your printmaking (lololol) step up to a bigger Conrad or a Takach. There are other good higher end brands, as well. Keep your eyes peeled in the used press market. But a good press holds its value, so don't be looking to save a whole bunch.

[@smishstudio]

Great advice!

[@claudia-wklize]

can any of these presses be used to do letterpress?

[@smishstudio]

No, not to my knowledge. You'll have to look into letterpress specific presses.

[@dukewindsorfineartstudio4789]

Model II is now $1490.30

[@smishstudio]

Thanks for the update!

[@joyflg1rl]

Thank you for this review of press options. I’m just getting started and already I love this art form. I’m probably going to buy a Woodzilla A4 press. I imagine that eventually, I might want something larger, but it seems like a lot to commit to at first. The whole internet seems to approve of the Woodzilla presses, so I’m thinking it’s a trustworthy choice. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

[@kristopherinfante1206]

🙌❤️🧑🏽‍💻

[@hollyahner2137]

Basic etching press is very poorly designed and not user friendly. Not worth the money and it will suck up way too much of your time.

[@smishstudio]

Great to know! Thank you!