Bit of an old thread but simple question, when leveling the platen by adjusting the screws, if I have an un-packed platen, should you aim for good deep impression or just a ‘kiss’ and rely on the platen packing to gain a deep impression after its leveled? – have been debating with father!

Where are you located? Maybe you can hook up with another printer in your area like I do…they do the cutting and you can deliver some cookies! Good Luck.

Hello all,Thanks for your answers, especially about the scales/balances. Do you use a scoop or freezer paper on the scale or just clean the scale off when done? I understand the proportions and thank you for the refresher course on that. This is why I love Ladies of Letterpress!Ren

thanks Rachel!

I also use a triple-beam balance scale, and use the gram measurements offered on the right side of each swatch in the Pantone Solid Uncoated swatchbook. Here’s a little conversion guide I use when mixing ink; I convert ounces to grams for the most accuracy: 

• 1 oz = 28.57 g (rarely use unless I’m printing in the thousands, or want to mix enough f…

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As far as I can tell, Lettra is not a laser-certified sheet. Certain papers are, and are marked as such, (namely text-weight papers used for letterhead/correspondence). Have tried laser printing Lettra a number of times with no success; but we have inkjet printed Lettra 110 lb. just fine through our Epson Stylus Pro 4000 with great results. There…[Read more]

Well, there was a post about LL in another discussion here wondering about what she was using. My thought (along with others) was that she was using photopolymer plates to press the design into the Lettra, maybe with a sizzix type or quickkutz type machine because she’s not using an actual letterpress. After looking at her site and walking around…[Read more]

I was disappointed by the new Pantone book, too, (plus the chromatic arrangement makes looking numbers up a huge pain!), so I wound up keeping my old (ca. 2006) one. Maybe you could find an old one with the parts breakdown on eBay? I have an old Ohaus scale (another member of team Antique Machinery), but I seldom use it. I start by mixing the…[Read more]

I have the new pantone formula books which only has the % breakdown formula but my colleague has an older version and it has ‘parts’ and %. (I’m not sure if I just got the wrong version or if the no longer put parts?)Parts do look a lot easier than percent because they are a little easier to ‘divide down’ (My math isnt really good!)Anyway, he…[Read more]

Hi Diana,I had not heard of Letterpress Light. That process looks very interesting. I wonder how she achieves the impression with unlimited colors? Do you know what a Compression Plate System is? Her website is a little vague. Thanks for the tip on the ink jet. I have an Epson 1400 too and I will start to test some of my designs.

I use a triple beam scale to weigh my ink, some people like the postal digital scales. Just remember to mix your ink about two shades (PSM#) lighter. But be careful because sometimes two shades lighter is a completely different color. Transparent white will help to thin the pigments in the ink if needed.

I’ve printed on Lettra with my Epson 1400. Just wording and it looks nice. I haven’t tried any intricate designs but I think that before running the invitations through their compression plate system, Letterpress Light runs them through a printer. They use Lettra but I couldn’t tell you if they ran it through an ink or laser printer.  I’ve run…[Read more]

Oh, great! Thank you! Any idea where I could find one? Or what search terms I would use to look for one online? As in, does it have a specific name? Thanks again! Samantha

Here is a picture of the original base that goes with a Pilot. It is made of steel. It has slots for chases, in the drawer there is a place to store the rollers, and shelves for your tools, ink, etc.  The press bolts to the top.

Kristine, Thank you so much for the info! I seriously appreciate it!

I was hoping to learn to use a Heidelberg as well, though I live in Seattle. Anyone know of someone willing to train in the Northwest?

Definitely!