ShowCard Printing Machine - Pricing?
I’ve located a ShowCard Printing Machine. The Seller thinks the printing area is around 24 inches x 30 inches. Apparently it’s in Great Shape. Comes with Table, Dryer and loads of type + rollers & ink.
Wondering if anyone out there can give me an idea of what this may be worth? (rough estimates appreciated too)
Thanks!
P.S. Is this a good Letterpress-style Printing Machine for even a Beginner (with talent) to make posters that look “primitive, but marketable”?
These have a primitive registration system or none at all, so multi-color work can be interesting. You can rig up a tympan and frisket such as on handpresses to help with that, though.
These are relatively primitive machines made for making in-store signs that say “SALE: 10% OFF” More interesting work is possible, but may present some challenges.
If this is indeed in good shape, this would be a GREAT press for making your posters. I am called upon to give talks and demonstrations occassionally and it is usually one of my Showcard presses that I take along, due to shear portability.
Really decent work can be obtained on them. The usual “trick” is to control the inking, and that can be accomplished with a hand brayer. Also, the fact that this is a flatbed press makes it more forgiving as far as lock-up goes.
I have no idea on current values. I would think a few hundred dollars should cover it, but the cheaper you can get it the better off you are to have more money for type, etc.
Arie is right in that show-card presses don’t have any built-in registration system. That does not mean however you can’t do close register work with them. There are several ways….ie pin register, tympan and frisket, and so forth…. that allow one to do great multi-color work.
In my earlier years, I did many many posters in multi-colors on just such a machine. As you progress you will eventually want to move up to a more sophisticated machine, but for starting out, it will be great.
If it’s a 24 x 30 machine in excellent condition, it’s worth pursuing. I can’t price it accurately in your market, but several hundred dollars would not seem to be out of line. Try offering $200 and see what he says…..
Here are some prices from a 1984 factory price list:
Model FS-78 (22” X 28”) $4595.00
Full Sheet Signmaster w/ inking rollers (22”X28”) $6,695.00
Moveable type table with type rack $945.00
These machines are solid cast iron and machined almost perfectly. They can print any weight paper or poster board with a simple adjustment of the impression roller. I’ve done 2 color poster work with no registration problems. I don’t think that a beginner could find a press that would give better first-time results.
Many Thanks Y’all for all the info
it was very helpful!!