Vandercook 4 vs. C&P 10x15

As some of y’all will remember, I’ve been considering buying a 10x15 as my first press. I know that there are people who think that’s a great idea or a horrible idea, but that’s not really want I’m after today. I’ve done some printing on a Vandercook recently and I really liked it. So, now I’ve been thinking about trying to find one instead. Could y’all help me with the pros and cons of each, so I can make up my mind? I’m going to use the press with photopolymer plates to make invitations and stationary almost exclusively. I know that the C&P can handle much thicker stock and coasters that the Vandercook can’t, but anything else that would sway me to one or the other would be great to know! Thanks!

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Hi Kate,

I use a Vandercook No. 4. Maybe I’m slow, but I allow myself 30 seconds for each impression. This is after everything is completely ready to go: form locked up perfectly, rollers properly inked and adjusted, paper guide adjusted, and satisfactory test prints made. I’ve never used a C&P, but I’ve seen videos in which the printer seems to be churning out 10 prints in the same amount of time. Time is money!

Barbara

I don’t know that this is an either or question. Different presses for different purposes; assuming that you have the space for both and money for their purchase.

I have both and feel they can do some jobs more or less the same, but more often I use them for rather different purposes. The Vandy has easy make ready and will give excellent consistent impression when using a larger form such as poster, broadside, full book page or large card ( or where the desire is to have simply really good quality printing ). The C&P is great for a smaller size form because you can print the item more or less the finish dimension whereas the Vandy would require you to print a larger piece of paper and then cut it down. The C&P will allow good speed when you want 50 - 500 impressions, say and if the form isn’t too big, you can also get excellent quality with the C&P. Both are indeed great and wonderful machines - beautiful in fact. Just make sure you never chase a mis-fed sheet in a C&P they don’t forgive mistakes.