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Pressroom Supplies Category

What do I need to be able to letterpress print with your photopolymer plates?

You’ll need:

  • a printing base. The polymer plates we create aren’t type high by themselves. They need to be mounted on a base to make a type-high printing surface. We recommend our Boxcar Base system. Letterpress printers also use magnetic bases from Patmag or Bunting. If you are printing on a DIY press such as L Letterpress, please refer to this tutorial.
  • a Printing press. Remember that most letterpress printing presses people purchase will not be ready to print beautifully right away and a little tender loving care will be needed. Be prepared to purchase new rollers or do other maintenance on your press!
  • Ink. we recommend Van Son rubber-based letterpress inks, which you can order in any uncoated Pantone number! Or you can purchase the Van Son base colors and mix your own colors. View the inks we carry.
  • various pressroom supplies, including printers furniture, quoins, tympan paper, type gauge, ink knife and (if using a platen press) Kort gauge pins or Henry gage pins.
  • a fashionable printing apron

We now sell letterpress starter packs, which contain a lot of what you’ll need to get started.

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What’s the biggest problem that printers new to photopolymer encounter?

Photopolymer plates offer an way to letterpress print extremely detailed designs with a deep heavy impression (or a kiss impression if you’re so inclined). The chief problem that new photopolymer users encounter usually deals with roller height/roller condition. But no worries! Unlike larger problems like war or global warming, roller issues do have concrete and relatively easy solutions. We recommend rubber rollers and, if using a platen press, solid trucks. If switching from lead type/magnesium plates, you’ll want to keep a much closer eye on your rollers. You may find our general printing FAQ’s useful, especially if you’ll be using a Boxcar Base.

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How do I drain and refill my platemaker?

Drain the platemaker often, usually after every 10 to 12 processed plates. To drain, open the drain valve. The washout water is safe to go down the drain. To refill, close the drain and fill with water. Leave the tank full of water so the brushes don’t dry out. If you’re leaving the machine unused for an extended period of time, add half a cup of bleach to the water to resist algae.  When you use the machine again, drain and refill the tank with fresh water.

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