Creative Mark Basic Etching Press - [Print Up to 9" x 15"] - for Engraving, Relief Block Printing, and Lithography Printing. All Steel Construction - Ideal for Metal, Wood, Glass, and Plastic

Still working on figuring out the little things, the plate slips like you have to start on the edge of the linoleum to start. But I've been busy so i haven't used more than twice. But great value and i did a couple small prints came out nice. Thanks!

I was excited to get an etching press to add to my print studio. The set up was very easy and only required attaching the handle with the supplied allen wrench.Operating it successfully and consistently, however, took quite of bit of learning, tinkering, and adjusting.First, I made a base out of plywood and 2 x 4 pieces to provide a way to clamp the press to the table. This was not unexpected as I had seen others who did this.Second, I had to make runners (thin strips of the same material I made my plate from - linoleum) to place on the top edges of the bed, and then further testing showed I needed to add a strip of the same paper I was printing on to the top of the runners. These runners allow you to set the pressure you will need and still feed everything through the press. This also solves the problem of the plate and paper sliding when they come in contact with the upper roller, which can be a real issue as small as the rollers are. I didn't attach the runners for my test, but I imagine I will use some double-sided tape to hold them in place.Third, while the bottom roller is textured in order to grip the bottom of the bed, the bottom roller often slipped, making the feeding of everything through the press inconsistent. I bought some non-abrasive grip tape called CatTongue and cut three strips almost the length of the bed and placed them on the underside of the bed. This gave the bottom roller something to grip, better than bare metal.Once all of these modifications were made, I was able to consistently feed the plate and paper through the press. I have not tried intaglio or monoprint yet, just relief.Overall, I am happy with the press, realizing it is not going to be the same as a $3,000 press!

I started a remodel in my home shortly after buying this so I decided to wait to set it up until I had my workspace and the rest of the house back together and in working order. I recently opened the box and set up a much awaited and anticipated printing space. I created my block and was ready to begin test printing to make adjustments as needed and finalize the image. Unfortunately the press bed couldn't be properly pushed by the roller. The bottom roller moved fine but just slid against the press bed, not moving it through the press at the slightest resistance from the linoleum block. I adjusted the height, allowing minimal resistance/pressure, still it would not go through. I tightened it, thinking maybe it needed to grip the bed a bit more. Not wanting to damage my block I tried stacks of paper, changing the amount to see if I could make it work properly. I was very careful to keep the tension the same on both ends of the rollers. I was disappointed to not be able to run short stacks of paper through it without the bed sliding against the roller, even at the slightest pressure. I took a brief break from it, then came back to try again with some paper to paper transfer printing. This type of printing is very low profile - one sheet of standard copy machine paper, one sheet of 250 gsm BFK, blotting paper, and 2 sheets of newsprint - and it seemed that they should easily make their way through. Again, no. The press was operational, press bed moving, until the top roller met the resistance of the paper beneath the blanket. This is a process in which one must move fairly quickly; the pace of a functioning press is perfect and generally gets the job done before the lacquer thinner dries out. I am doing the right things by gently pushing the end of the press bed to help it along, checking that the pressure isn't too tight Repeated stops and fussing were problematic to the outcome. The only way to make this press work is to tighten it while it is sitting on the block or papers, whatever is being run through, then run it. Even then the proper pressure cannot be achieved because it causes the bed to stop and the bottom roller to just spin against it. That is not how printing works. That process creates uneven printing, if anything at all. There is no way to achieve successful prints on this press. This was a waste of money. I should have spent more money on a press that I know will actually work.I am no stranger to printing presses and how to operate one. I studied printmaking in undergrad and taught printmaking for several years. When I moved I no longer had access to the fine presses I once used. I have taken a different direction in my artwork, but wanted to have a small, basic l press at home for some small things of my own. I had hoped this would work for some basic things. I was fooled by the reasonable price. This was definitely not the answer I was looking for.

Big plus, the pressure is adjustable.

Does not work well for monotypography, the hand crank only moves 1 of the 2 rollers, so the rollers do not grab the plates causing it to shift and move the plate or rip the paper ruining the print.

This little press is a good bargain, it's just not terribly sturdy. I'm used to the old work horse cast iron sign press that finally gave up the ghost. At least this new one doesn't have irreplaceable bearings - that's a plus.

It works. Keep in mind that you have to fiddle with the metal feed tray to make sure it moves through the press. I added an adhesive stair tread gripper to the bottom to make it catch easier. I also suspect that adding a second blanket on top would make things smoother.

I need a pressing one for school and hasn't able to purchase the one in Blick. Found this one, and thought to give it a try. It isn't stable, it doesn't have a grip to pull to paper, my prints came out with marks and I tried to return this product, which has a hassle.The wouldn't send me a replacement, because I taught maybe this defected product, but I spend so much time trying to talk to them, that I just had to focus on a solution to make this machine, at least print my project.