Linoleum on C & P
I’m a new Chandler and Price letterpress owner. I’ve not be able to find a lot of resources on printing linoleum cuts on my press, and I’m having trouble resolving an issue in which my paper is not releasing cleanly from my printing block after I print.
My platen and rollers are adjusted correctly, my ink isn’t too thick, and my matrix is type high. I’m using etching ink (perhaps this is the problem?) and standard printmaking paper. I have tried thinning the etching ink, and although the viscosity is more loose, the prints still stick. In order to get a solid black I’ve had to pack my tympan more than average.
My linoleum block is on the larger side 8” x 10” with large uncarved areas. Please see the attached photo.
I’m getting good prints, but I have to print slowly and hold the paper to make sure the print doesn’t stick to the linoleum block. It’s a hassle.
Any idea on what I’m doing wrong?
Thanks,
Sage
IMG_5631.jpg
Hi SageDawson1,
Sounds like you need to make a frisket:
https://www.boxcarpress.com/letterpress-printing-boxcar-base/
You just have large areas with ink on them so the ink is sticking to the paper. A little string will go a long way towards helping this.
Good luck!
Unfortunately with that design you don’t have large enough margins for grippers to hold the paper well. If the C&P has the standard pair of grippers installed you can try the string (though I prefer large rubber bands for their rather grippy surfaces), but the best solution would be gripper fingers that can clip onto the gripper arms and extend over the paper in non-printing areas like the margins, These can be adjusted so they press the paper against the platen, and with small bits of adhesive weather-stripping foam stuck on them they would probably hold the paper and prevent it staying on the block.
Bob
There is such a large solid area the paper will stick to the lino like glue.
This would have been better printed on a flatbed where the paper could have been peeled off.
Try a sheet of paper with a greater width, put a frisket on each side of the lino and stick a piece of card between the two friskets at the top so that it pulls the sheet away as the platen opens.