Press Choice for Artwork

Can someone offer an opinion on what is the largest square inch area the the C&P letterpress can be used for, printing deep impression of 2 and 4 point line work and solid areas? I have a line on an old style C&P that will require a lot of work to make ready to print, and I would like to make certain that it is suitable for the intended work, printing my artwork in limited editions.
Thanks for any advice!

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It depends on the size of the press. Specifically, the interior size of the chase and the physical size and therefore strength of the press. Large forms require more pressure as well as better inking than small forms. Forms of large solid areas more than small type spread out, etc.

If I remember correctly, a rule of thumb is that a press can print a form 2/3 the size of the inside dimension of the chase. So an 8x12 press will print a form roughly 5x8. That assumes no large solids or solid set text.

The larger the size of the form and the more large solid areas in the form the more impressional strength is required. So if you’re going to print deep impression on thick stock on an 8x12 press you may find a 5x8 form is too big for the press, especially if there are large solids.

Again, depending on the nature of the form inking may be an issue. Some forms require more ink than others and need it distributed in a better way. This can sometimes be overcome by double or even triple inking the form. You won’t have much control over this on a normal platen press (though some have vibrator rollers, etc.) but if you’re printing forms with a lot of solids, the 1 3/4” diameter rollers of the 10x15 press will lay down more ink than the 1 1/2” rollers on an 8x12 press. That assumnes the form is of a size that is less than the maximum size the 10x15 can handle.

I started with an 8x12 but changed to a 10x15 so I could do book work in a larger size with 5x7 pages (not the text block). It also gives me the strength I need to do some die-cutting, etc. Whatever press size you get, use it within its limitations and you will have good results.

I don’t really understand from what you wrote what size or type of forms you will be printing so can’t make any suggestions.

If someone remembers the “rule of thumb” better, please correct me. Also if you can explain the ink issue better.

Rich

Front Room Press
Milford, NJ
http://frontroompress.com
http://frontroompress.blogspot.com

Thanks for that Rich! The work that I am aiming at is a 5” square frame of about 4 point, with typically the equivalent of, say 10 to 20 cross lines of 2 point line weight. I’d like to print that in black or something dark (and in deep impression). I realize I could print the frame separate from the inner subject lines, but I’d like to avoid the extra step. Then the solid colour fields could be fairly large from say 1/4 of the frame (2.5x2.5”) to even half the frame (2.5x5”). I am concerned that I can get a good and deep impression with that surface.
I read a posting somewhere where a printer had difficulty with larger solid areas, but I don’t know what “larger areas” meant. I am working on restoring a 10 by 15 C&P and am now concerned that it is the right press for what I am aiming at.
Thanks,
Hugo

You’ll probably be happier with some sort of cylinder press.

You can probably get away with using a 10x15, but I’d print the colored areas one at a time. Solid colors are always a bit of a challenge on a platen press, especially if the paper isn’t smooth. Also larger areas won’t impress as much into even soft papers as text or linework on a platen press.