Boxcar Base Vs. Bunting Magnetic Cerface™ Flat Base Vs. honeycomb base
Which would you choose?
I’m very new to letterpress, and I been reading old discussion and I don’t know what to do.
seems like photopolymer plate has been take over good old handset types more and more.
I think I have to buy magnetic or boxcar base… but I can’t believe polymer makes a better print than metal.
but before that I want to hear opinion from masters.
please give me some advice.
thank you.
pauljkim
If you are new to letterpress I would suggest you buy either the Boxcar or a Patmag. I think maybe the Boxcar as it is trouble free in the long run. The Bunting Cerface is an expensive outlay and only really a consideration if you are looking for a certain level of achievement. Whatever that means these days.
Photopolymer can be better than metal, but it depends on the photopolymer and the metal. Not all photopolymer (or digital type) is the same, nor is all metal type. Nor, and this probably should be added, are all compositors, metal or digital.
Gerald
http://BielerPress.blogspot.com
Hi Paul,
I second Gerald in recommending the Boxcar workflow.
Like Gerald said, aside from your plate material, plenty of things can influence print quality (press set up, ink consistency, nature of your design, etc.)
Generally speaking, Boxcar-style plates are easier to handle than steel back plates and do not shift when used with double-sided adhesive on your base (steel back plates are known to “creep” while printing).
Plus, you can easily lift Boxcar-style plates off the base to reposition or remove them. This means you can actually save your plates to reuse in the future. Steel back plates often curl when removed, making them harder to reuse without some shaping.
Boxcar bases also have a grid on top, which helps you position your plates squarely too :) Out of all the sizes available, I recommend checking out the 6x9” base. It’s a great flexible size.
Hope this helps,
Lars.
Logos Graphics
http://www.logosgraphics.net
boxcar.jpg
Hi Lars
While steel-backed plates are known to travel on Patmag bases, I have never experienced this with a Bunting Cerface base. Steel-backed plates can be used on a Patmag, and travel can be mitigated with a bit of 3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive applied to the back of the plate.
I’ve not had steel-backed plates curl on a Bunting Cerface but that just might be because of the pickup tool that I use.
http://bielerpressvii.blogspot.com/2007/11/photopolymer-plate-pickup.htm...
The main reason I use Buntings is that there is no adhesive to be concerned with, whether that by film or spray. Put the plate down, register it, and forget it. No further problems to deal with during presswork. Accurate type height and inflexible density from plate surface to press bed.
On the other hand, the Bunting Cerface is an extremely expensive outlay, and I would certainly not recommend to someone just starting out.
Gerald
http://BielerPress.blogspot.com
Bielerpr & solsken,
Thank you for your valuable comment.
I better get boxcar.
Thanks,
Paul