Here’s a general question with an invitation for feedback from all those on the list who have experience and intended for those who do not.

If one does not have an ink fountain or any other way of dispensing ink, how do you insure (as best as possible) that a sufficient amount of ink gets to the forme? For example, 200 copies of a broadsideFe (mostly text) where the characters are printed dark and sharply, but as impressions increase in number, eventually the ink needs to be replaced/increased. Is it all just experience and making a judgement based on when the image or characters begins to get lighter? I hope my query is clear and thanks. Neil

Log in to reply   3 replies so far

if you have the rotating-disc inking system found on most platen presses it would be more difficult as you need to stop and wait for the ink to distribute,but if you have a set of rollers, some of which oscillate, assuring superior ink distribution as most paralel limpression presses you can work it with a scrape and a good eye for inking

As someone mentioned earlier on another thread, the best way until you get some experience with it is to set the first good sheet you get, that is inked the way you want it, beside the place where you are stacking the printed sheets, and compare the printed sheets with that sample. As soon as the color starts to change, stop and add a small amount of ink (I use a bit about the size of a sweet pea on my 6x9 Sigwalt or Pearl) spread it with the ink knife, run the press four or five cycles with the type form out, the replace the form and continue printing. My counter is fixed so I can stop it from counting while I’m re-inking. One key step is to avoid over-inking to start with — best to under ink and add a little at a time until you get the effect you want. You can also use the brayer to add ink, as was mentioned.

Bob

Thank you Bob and phase4. Neil