Uneven impression
I’m brand new/self-taught to letterpress so forgive my elementary question. For some reason I’m getting an uneven impression when I print. The very bottom portion of my plate is only making a very faint impression while the rest of the plate is making no impression at all. When the base is in contact w/ the paper, there is about a 3-4ml opening at the top. I’m not sure how or what to adjust to ensure the base/plate properly presses the paper. Thoughts?
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I’m working on an Adana 8x5 press.
Sounds like basic adjustments are needed — checking roller settings and checking and adjustment of the platen. Research on this website should give you the information you need.
Bob
Say where you are. One of the near wizards may offer to help you.
It sounds as if your platen is out of true, There are three catagories of people who mess with the platen screws (they are really bolts, but are called screws)
1. Idiots with no idea of what they are doing
2. The well intentioned, but misguided
3. Those few who understand the process
One could become self taught on the process if one is basically mechanical and does lots of reading on the subject. The several manufactureres of presses have made it more challenging as the process varies from press to press.
Download the Adana 8 x 5 manual, here on the site, then make yourself a cup of tea, sit down in a comfy chair, read the manual and carefully start adjusting the four screws that sit behind the bed of the press. Adanas differ from most other presses, where the platen adjusts. Don’t fiddle too much with the 2 main screws in the centre (the ones with the springs). It’s not too difficult, you can make life easier by locking four characters in the corners of your chase and by adjusting it in such a way that the four characters print equally well.
Adjust the platen by screwing the nuts under the platen.
And the lazy way to do it, is putting paper behind the type which is light impression to build up the heavy impression.
@ Olive Leaf Press This is the 2nd time someone has mentioned to put paper behind the type. The only thing is, until I {remotely} know what the heck I’m doing, I’m using plates. If I put paper behind the plates then there is nothing to adhere the plates to…unless I want the plates to stick to the paper in which case, I won’t be able to use them again. Also, all the screws have been adjusted; re-adjusted, and re-adjusted again…about 2 dozen times. I have ZERO impression. I’ve done every single thing that I can think of + everything that’s been suggested & still, no impression. Only enough to leave ink behind but there is nothing tactile at all.
Autumn, you don’t put the paper under the plate but behind the base. sounds like you need to adjust your platen and start from there.
Also, depending on the size of the printing area, you may break your press in the process of trying to get a deep impression on an Adana 8x5. But you should have equal pressure all over the sheet, and unless your bed is out of position you do need to adjust the platen for even (not deep) impression. Once you have that you can increase the pressure a little at a time until the press breaks. ;-)
Bob
What kind of paper are you trying to print? Where are you located? Surely there is someone near you that can help.
Girl with kluge, grab your pica pole and quoin key and head to the land down under and give her a hand.