New letterpress in poland

Enton,

Start by reading some of the tips and leads on this site. Much information on paper manufacturers etc. can be found here. Check out the site of Martin Schröder in Berlin. he’s got a good blog too! Did you check out that your press and the Boxcar base match up. Don’t forget that type height is different in the USA. You will probably have a Heidelberg with German type height!

Hello,
Thats right I have german type of windmill. What hights are different? As I know the Us or German…France type is the same….only the labels changed.

Im reading couple hours per day all avialable informations… but still have some qestions. :))

… thanks for replay Thomas.

Enton,
It’s clear to me that you have a ‘German type of press’, (windmill is an American expression) and on the continent we talk about a ‘platen press’. Heidelberg built these presses for different markets, and with different type heights. Type height is measured from the base of the character to the top (i.e. the part that prints). Before doing anything on your press, I would try to learn a little bit more about the basics by reading a book. try to find some German or Polish handbooks for typesetters and/or printers and have a look at that. You risk, by using an American height boxcar base, and your plates to damage your machine. To give you an example, Dutch height is 24,85 mm or 0,978”, French and German height: 23,56 mm or 0,928” and English height: 23,32 mm or 0,918”.
Normally there should be somewhere on the press an indication of what height it is built for.
Another suggestion is to find somebody who can instruct you.

Hi
Yes, Thomas knows waht he is talking about. Letterpress printing is just not buying a press and then printing!
I will suggest you to read the instruction manual (you can find a link to it on this fantastic site) and maybe Fr. Bauer’s books “Handbuch für Buchdrucker” and “Handbuch für Schriftsetzer” from A to Z several times before switching on the contact to the press.
It is also a very good idea to contact some local printers who has some skills regarding printing on your press.
Good luck & Gott grüß die Kunst
Jens

By the way, a OHT is made for professional use and long runs – it is not a toy, so be carful!!!
Gott grüß die Kunst
Jens

Of course its not just a buy of press and printing. Thats why I m reading , learning and researching.
Im writeing on this forum in beginners section as well. (Lets close it and put the sign read the books folks) :)))
..noo I will not give up! Im beginner but not amateur.

Thomas big thanks for tips I will check hight issue. I cant find it in heidelberg manuals anything about it yet. But investigating on progress.

Its hard to find old local printers in my area… I dont know why…but it is.

The biggest query for me is do I need to use only 100% cotton paper or some others kind can be good. I need to order bigest part from Uk. Now Im trying some samples without great results.

Jens I run the press already and it was not just a plug and play action. First for couple weeks I assemble it from parts , oil it, con. pressure and oil distribution system,. so believe me manual I read many times for many days.:) And Im trying to treat it in very professional way.
I will try to get your book pick. Thanks for it.

Thanks yo for tips.

”He that nothing questioneth nothing learneth.”

Enton:

You should eb able to print on a fairly wide variety of paper stock. It need not be cotton-based.

You can print any kind of paper, cotton or non-cotton. As long the paper can be inked she will print on it.

It prints from onion papers ( very very thin paper ) up to a 2 mm thick card board.

You can find a manual over boxcar press website. Read the manual and look over in your country for a old pressman. Put an ad on the paper, look over in the yellow pages and find the oldest printer nearest you. They are out there. That is a kind of printer that could give you a few-hours a day job: there is where you will learn. The books you can find will never show you how things are done, you have to get your hands dirty.

Good luck and welcome to the printing trade : )

Hi Enton
Sorry, it was not my intension to offend you.
I wish you welcome in the world of letterpress printing, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!
All the best from Denmark & Gott grüß die Kunst
Jens

Thanks for all all of u …lots of work and lots of reading wait for me.

Jens Sorry for my defense, I can sound very amateur for someone pro, in this topic. Sorry for that. Im trying my best. Im very single minded to get the needed knowledge from the best sources.

One more thing, (another lam question :)) I know that I can print on any kind of paper (inkable)… its clear as cut, but Im interested what paper is the best to get this beautiful relief. Is it just the thickens, softness, or some different parameters, like amount of cotton and etc… I cant get lettra paper in eu easly. so thats why im looking for substitute in fabiano or arturo. But for that some paper parameters needed. Br

Hi
Yes sometimes the waves can go a little high :-)
I use primary Fabriano Medioevalis & Rosaspina, Zerkall, Somerset and Amalfi. Especially the Fabriano papers and the Somerset takes the impression very well. You can purchase them, among others, from R.K. Burt in London.
Gott grüß die Kunst
Jens

Hi Enton,
Type heights on your machine you can find on closin frame or on the top right side of base when you put frame.

drazen