Category: Letterpress for beginners
Later topic: old style vs. new style C&Ps - which is which
Earlier topic: Looking for a press

Setting up a workspace

Hey everyone!

Thank you for all your advice so far. I am learning a lot.
I will be receiving this machine in a week -http://www.briarpress.org/12729

My only experience is with an Adana 8x5

I am looking for advice on setting up my workspace. If there is a post already dedicated to this I have overlooked but if someone could direct me to it, I would really appreciate it.

My workspace is going to be in a large shed in Ireland (kinda cold). I will have about the same amount of space as a small car. I have purchased ink and cleaning supplies for my press and I’m wondering what else I need to complete my workshop.

My list so far is -

-scales for measuring ink
-a place to dry my work, maybe will bring that somewhere warmer to dry
-a heater for me

If anyone could add to that list, that would be great!

I’m really excited about beginning now :)

Log in to reply   6 replies so far

I would recommend a good and sturdy workbench alongside one wall, on which you can fix your Adana press and have your imposing stone, furniture on the wall above, typecases under the bench. I made my own workbenches 100 cm high, you won’t be doing your back in like that. Have a look at some of the pictures on Flickr.
And if I’m not mistaken, John Ryder gives a description in one of his books as well. My ink unit is on casters, cans of ink in it, knives clipped on the side and a sheet of thick glass on the top. It can easily be put out of the way when not needed.
Enjoy it setting up your space!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46799513@N08/5617176626/in/set-721576248845...

  • inky
  • on 18 Jan 12 (20:34)

Heat/cold will be your big problem this winter. Ink is happy at 20C. The colder it gets below 15C, the less happy the ink is and the printing suffers. Thus the ink and the ink disk should be as warm and happy as you can make them. Keep the ink in the warm house.
My shop is in an unheated warehouse building with 18 foot ceilings. I cannot afford to heat the whole thing. I have built a temporary wood framed enclosure around the press and covered it with plastic. The press, an electric heater and I go inside. It looks crudely built, but it works. The plastic and frame come down when the weather warms in the Spring

Thanks for the great advice everyone. I was worried about the ink but I can keep that indoors.

Should I try to keep the ink warm until just before I use it and then try to use it as quickly as possible?

  • dickg
  • on 20 Jan 12 (08:27)

you should also keep your rollers warm

hi Bebbachan, can i know how much do buy your machine? i’m interested on letterpress machine like yours. Thanks

I’d suggest arranging to heat the space to at least 65 degrees F or 18 degrees C for an hour or so before you plan to print. No matter how warm you keep the ink, when you apply it to the cold ink disc it will instantly be that temperature. The same with the rollers — though they will hold the warmth longer. In a humid location when you begin to get condensation on the metal parts of the press your ink will not spread uniformly. All reasons to keep in comfortably warm in the shop!

Bob