Leaving rollers on?

I’ve been using a proof press (having to clean only type and brayer as the roller never touches ink) for the past few months. Now that I have a Pearl platen press, I’m wondering–do the rollers need to come off each time or can they be cleaned occasionally on the press? Between colors, should they be removed and cleaned? And if so, how long should you wait between cleaning and printing the second color?

I’m only a few days into working with my press, and it’s all new. Thanks for any help!

Love some advice about cleaning–also, I’m updating my progress with the Pearl tabletop here: scmorgan.net in anyone is interested! (And I’m taking the rollers off to clean at this point)

Hi Susan,

Are you running conventional ink, or rubber-base? Regular (Oil-based) inks need to come off after the job is finished, while rubber-based inks can remain on the rollers overnight (or so). If you have any question about the kind of ink you are using, or any additives (dryer, tack reducer, etc.) then by all means, play it safe and clean the rollers after the run. Cleaning solvent is cheaper than a new roller….

Hope this helps a bit,

Barb

Barb,

Thanks so much. I actually meant leaving the clean rollers on the press instead of removing them. I do clean with solvent after each use, but I thought perhaps I could clean them on the press and then let them be as long as they weren’t resting on the disk. I use oil-based but I am about to switch to rubber-based.

Thanks again!

Susan

Hi Susan,

Oops….well, to be honest I’ve cleaned them both ways, sometimes putting a bit of solvent on the disc and letting the press run for a minute or two so the ink comes clean easily. I like to take the rollers off simply because my C&P is up on a 2×4 base and the rollers are harder to reach with a wash-up rag. (If you have adjustable trucks, you might want to take a metal punch and tap some divots in the roller axle ends and on the trucks, so you can match them back up the same way they came off.) I don’t think there is a “right or wrong” way to wash the rollers. Some do i on the press, some remove the rollers….the main thing is to get them clean.

Hope it helps,

Barb

Yes, it does, thanks. I am learning–it’s a process, but I’m learning:)

Hi Susan,

I’ve had a Pearl #3 and to me it was just as easy and maybe easier to take the rollers out and clean them really well and if you already have them out to clean, then might as well just keep them out. I personally store my rollers in an old sewing drawer with grooves to hang the end of the cores so they don’t touch anything. they just hang in the drawer. I also like to take them out so I can clean the trucks as well. That’s what I think at least. happy printing!

Thanks, Samantha. I think I’m figuring that out. They don’t seem as clean when I leave them on, and you’re right about the trucks. I have the box with wooden frames with holes that the roller company sent. I am putting them back in the hanging slot, and it seems to work, but I love the idea of an old sewing drawer,too! Thanks for your thoughts….

I used to always wash on the press first to get most ink off and then once they were nearly clean, take them off for one last wipe.

Hi Susan,

I have a huge 14 x 22 C&P so taking off the rollers is no small feat. That said, I leave the clean rollers on the press, rolled all the way down to the bottom, if I will be using the press again soon. When we were away for the summer and the press was unused for a few weeks, I took the rollers off.

Hope this helps,

Michelle

Thanks for your thoughts, Davina.

Sure does. Thanks, Michelle…

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