Custom base sizes

Why would you want a custom base? You might have a letterpress with an unusual chase size. You might prefer to use various sized bases for multiple or smaller projects. Or you might want to print polymer and type at the same time, so you need a uniquely sized base which allows room to lock up your type.

To get a custom size base: purchase the next largest base size via our web site. We’ll cut your new base down to your specifications at no charge. For instance, say you need a 4 x 7 custom base. Purchase a 7.5 x 4.5 base. Let us know during check out that you’d like your new base cut down to 4 x 7. The cut edges will not be anodized, but this doesn’t affect the performance of the base. Allow an extra week for the cutting.

Don’t forget to check out our Boxcar Base scraps: perhaps we have just the size you need already.

Figure out your maximum letterpress base size.

For cylinder presses without chases, such as Vandercooks:
bed width: the distance between the rails.
bed length: find the “dead lines” inscribed in your bed. There are two lines, one at the head of the press, one at the foot of the press. Measure the distance between those lines – that’s the length of your press bed.

You need to make sure that your base stays within those lines. If you put your base on the outside of either line, your cylinder grippers can smash it.

For presses with chases: A chase is an iron frame. To get the width and length of your chase, simply measure the INSIDE of the frame. The measurements may be rounded up to identify your chase size, for example, 4.95” x 7.875” will be called a 5×8 chase.

For cylinder presses (Vandercook, Heidelberg cylinders).
How to find your maximum base size: first, measure your press bed. Subtract 1” from the height and 1” from the width (ensuring room for the quoins). That number is your maximum base size. For instance, if you have a 14 x 20 press bed, your maximum base size is 13” x 19”.

We recommend you use your maximum base size on cylinder presses. You can, of course, go with a smaller base—you’re really just limited by your budget. For the most flexibility though, we recommend getting as big a base as you can afford. There is no disadvantage to using a large base on a cylinder press. Because the printable area of these presses is so large, you’ll be able to print the entire area of the base.

For platen presses (other than Heidelberg Windmills).
How to find your maximum base size: measure your chase. Generally subtract 1.5” from the height and 1.5” from the width of your chase (on a few rare occasions, if you have very thin quoins or a very small chase, subtract 1” instead). That number is your maximum base letterpress size.

Reasons why you shouldn’t always max out your base size with these presses. For these roller and ink disk platen presses, we recommend you choose a base that’s usually smaller than your maximum size. Why? First, typically the print area where you can do quality, deep impression letterpress printing is half the size of your chase. If you max out your base size, you’ll find the printing on the upper and outer edges of the base to lack impression and not look so hot. Your press’s sweet spot is the bottom center of your platen—that’s where you want to focus on printing. Secondly, you need to keep the gauge pins and grippers from smashing into—and denting!—your base. A smaller base allows you to position your gauge pins safely and more easily. Lastly, smaller bases also allow you to run with a frisket. To find the size base we recommend for your specific press, check out our base recommendation chart.

For Heidelberg Windmills.

How to find your maximum base size: Heidelberg Windmills come in two sizes. If you have a 10 x 15 chase, your maximum base size is 9 x 12. If you have a 13 x 18 chase, your maximum letterpress base is a 12 x 16.

We recommend you use your maximum base size on this press. Windmills are special platen presses. They have larger printable areas, which means you’ll be able to do quality printing across your entire maximum sized base. Because of their smart engineering, you also don’t need to worry about leaving room for the press’s lay gauges and grippers. Everything swings out of the way except the lay gauge pins, which are narrow enough that they won’t damage the base. (The lay gauge pins can, however smash your polymer plates. To avoid this from happening, try our amazing Boxcar Windmill Swing Away gauge pin.)

View FAQs

How are other printing methods (like magnetic bases, lead type, and magnesium plates) different from the Boxcar Base?

Find out the differences between

• a magnetic base and the Boxcar Base
• magnesium plates and the Boxcar Base
• lead type and the Boxcar Base

I know my base. What polymer plates should I use?

If you have a Boxcar Base – we can tell you the thickness of your base down to the ten thousandths of an inch. Just provide the 5-digit serial number on the bottom of your base below the base description and we’ll send you the dimensions.

If you want to measure your own base – we suggest a micrometer that measures to thousandths of an inch. Follow the directions that come with your micrometer, however, basically you will clamp your micrometer’s measuring rods around your base and tighten until it holds the base firmly and securely. Tightening too hard can cause an error in your reading. Read the measurement per the instructions for that micrometer.

Boxcar Bases are measured to the following heights:
Standard bases: .875” plus or minus .001
Deep relief bases: – .853” plus or minus .001

If your base is .X” high, subtract that amount and any adhesive thickness from type high .918 and you’ll get the height you want for your plates.

Or use our Photopolymer Plate Finding Flow Chart (PPFFC).

What letterpress base do I have?

The Standard Boxcar Base has black gridding.

The Deep Relief Boxcar Base has red gridding.

Magnetic letterpress bases (like the Patmag or Bunting) have no gridding and they’re also magnetic, so things like paper clips stick to them.

If you have a base not listed here, the important thing to do is measure the height of your base. Once you have an exact base height, subtract that number from .918 (type high) and you’ll get the height you’ll want for your plates. If your base is magnetic, you need steel-backed plates. If your base is not magnetic and you need your plates to stick to your base, you’ll want plastic-backed polymer plates.