Getting a deep impression on a Line-o-Scribe

The simple answer is that you are trying to do something the Line-o-Scribe was not meant to do. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible but the chances of getting a deep impression and good inking at the same time will be a real challenge.

Ginko is right…. but there is a work-around for this problem. On presses like the Line-O-Scribe, hand-inking is often the best way to go. Set your pressure roller for the correct depth of impression, and then hand ink with a brayer. The end result will be a very nice deep-impression image. On that press, the hand-inking will not be much slower and will allow you excellent control.

thanks @winking cat press for your advice - I will try that this next run! I do know that the Line-o-scribe is not ideal for detail work, its just a very affordable press to start out on, and I found a great deal locally. If I can make it work until my business brings in enough to warrant a better machine then I’ll be happy!

update:

I did try the hand roller - with the size of plate I was using it did not work very well, I think it might for smaller runs. What did start working well, which may have been part of the original problem was changing up the type of ink I was using, and under-inking the press. I ended up using waterbased relief ink which has a lot more tack to it, and reinking more. I was able to get much more of a kiss of ink, and keep the clarity of the text etc much better.

Still working on the impression, the pressure roller seems to switch back to a lower pressure as it hits the plate, or refuses to go over the plate if too high.

This press seems perfectly workable with some patience and flexibility!