Category: Letterpress for beginners
Later topic: 9x12 Deep Relief Boxcar Base
Earlier topic: Printing supplies?

Cleaning press and rollers

Hey everyone,

I finally have my press in order to run my first test print. I do not have any solutions yet for cleaning..so I can’t really run my first print. I am pregnant…so I am avoiding any chemicals or toxins at this point. I have rubber rollers and an 8X12 Craftsman tabletop press. I have oil based ink and am using a photopolymer plate (no lead for me at this point). Can I use vegetable oil to clean the press, rollers, and plate?

Thanks in advance for you help

Log in to reply   4 replies so far

Yes. I use Crisco at the University. Though you’ll want something to remove the oil from the rollers, etc after your done. Simple Green works, but then you need to make sure that all is completely dry when that step is done.

Hello. I can’t yet help with a recommendation, I’m getting started myself, but I did find a previous post which may make you think twice about Simple Green. At least until the young one is born.

http://www.briarpress.org/15333

and to the link itself

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/24/MNG0QR5P1...

  • RMG
  • on 1 Feb 09 (22:48)

Here is a web page you may be interested in:
http://homepage.usask.ca/~nis715/waterink.html

Thanks everyone…I have some options now. Plus there is always the option of making my husband clean it…no chemicals for me and a clean press!!! poor guy…dont think he knew my hobby would become his.