First tabletop press brand.
Hello all,
Time, advice, and experience is appreciated.
I’m looking into purchasing my first tabletop press. I am hoping to purchase through Don Black in Toronto. Any thought on a brand I should consider? My work will consist of invitations, cards, and business cards.
Thank you in advance.
Ask Don Black, he is a great guy, he will steer you in the right direction. I would not get anything smaller than a 6x10
I think Don gets Adana 8” x 5” platen presses fairly regularly. For their size they do a really good job, and have adjustments that Kelsey presses don’t have. For the money I think they are an excellent for press to own. The Adana 3” x 5” presses are cheaper, but are too small to print anything but single business cards. Plus it is still possible to get parts for Adanas.
Adana8x5.JPG
Have you thought about contacting Caslon in the UK, who are the sole owners of the Adana brand and who still hold a lot of spare parts and who refurbish presses as well?
Caslon is a bit expensive. There are any number of Adanas for sale on eBay UK weekly, but shipping to the US and Canada has gotten very high. I think the British government is trying to bail out the economy through the Royal Mail.
Buy the biggest press you can afford. You’ll never regret it.
Juratovic- If I had to choose between a Vandercook Universal I and a 32-28 I would take the smaller Uni I. Same goes for Heidelberg Windmill 10x15 vs 13x18 and C&P 10x15 vs 14.5x22. But when it comes to tabletop platens, I totally agree with you.
DGM
Availability and expense are usually a consideration in buying tabletop presses these days. I see C&P Pilots and Craftsman Superiors selling for $2,500. to $3,500. (which is nuts), while Adana 8x5s sell for $400. to $600. Having owned them both, I find the Adana to be more portable, and it has more adjustments than Pilot-style presses. As for comparison to Kelsey tabletop presses they are superior in every way.
Thank you for your responses.
I’m looking for a table top exclusively. Yes, availability and expense are both huge factors. I have been in contact with Don Black and T and T.
Any big differences between the Sigwalt and C&P Pilot?
Thanks again,
Bika