Second pass, same side printing
I’ve recently acquired a Craftsmen Superior 6 1/2 x 10. My new Boxcar Base is on backorder but I’m going to do some testing with the metal type that came along with the press.
I’m planning to print greeting cards on the press - 7 x 10 stock unfolded. If I understand chase limitations, I probably can’t print the entire side in one pass, I’d need to print the one half first, set up for the other side, turn the stock around (still same side of the sheet) and print again. My question is: how long would I need to wait before printing the second half of the sheet without risking smudging the first print? I’m using Van Son rubber-based ink. Should I be able to carefully turn the stock as soon as the new setup is ready?
Yep, complete beginner question. I know I’ll need the ink completely dry before printing the opposite side but wondering how others handle this same side situation.
Thanks.
Well, it depends.
Rubber base ink dries mostly by absorption. Best suited for uncoated stock. If you print on coated stock, it will take quite a bit of time to dry.
You normally want a neat stack on the feed board of a motor operated press. In your case with a hand operated press, a neat stack is not necessary so you need not be concerned with jogging still wet pieces from the first pass. Just handle your your delivered pile of first pass printed pieces gently.
If there is room to grasp the piece carefully in the margin outside of the printed portion, you should be OK to print the second pass right away if you need to get the job done.
With rubber base ink there is no need to hurry before the ink dries on the press.
Thanks for your help. My roller gauge should be here later today. I was waiting for that before even attempting to run any tests. Brand new rollers came with the press and I don’t want to mess them up.
I may try to print the entire side at once but I think the reality is that the text will need to run beyond the base. The more important part is good ink coverage and clear, clean type.
I’ve signed up for a class at the Dallas Craft Guild. I’d like to be sure I learn as much correctly up front.
An off topic suggestion, and if you have printed before, you probably already know this. It is a common beginner mistake to ink up the press with too much ink. I would suggest that you ink it up with much less than you intuitively think you will need….in your case, less than the size of a pea. After putting the ink on, keep moving the rollers up and down, during which time the ink disc will also rotate, about 20 or 30 times, or until the ink forms a completely even, thin film on the ink disc and the rollers. If you start printing and then find you need a little more ink, it is easy to add more (easier to add more than to take ink off if you have put on too much).
Regarding your original question, if your card stock is somewhat thick, the impression of the print may drive the inked areas slightly below the unprinted surface of the card, so that the cards will rest with the unprinted surfaces touching, not the printed surfaces. This will also help to prevent setoff.
Thanks again, Geoffrey. I appreciate your suggestions - off-topic or not. My roller gauge arrived today so I’ll be able to test roller position. I’ve also watched some short videos of the inking process with an ink disk. The action on this printer seems to be very smooth. Everything appears to be in good working order.
By the way, my brother’s middle name was Geoffrey and spelled just as yours. I think it’s a less common spelling. Good name!
Thanks Benjamin and have fun!