Photopolymer Plates

I’m an impatient newbie and I just want to make Christmas cards this year on my new/old Kelsey press 5×8.  I just want to go the photopolymer route and I have heard of places online like boxcar press.  Can someone help me get started?  I need to order a base?  I have learned about using picture corners to hold in place.  I have seen tutorials that used photopolymer plates but they seem to have( excuse) if my terminology not right yet tympans?  Something that seems to adjust the furniture?  Do I need the tympans and furniture?  Help!   I need a loving and kind helper!

Thanks Rachel, I will do that!  

 

Tympan paper is the (usually yellow) paper on which you place your gauge pins to hold the paper for printing.  Tympan paper is the top layer of your backing (usually redboard).  You can adjust the depth of your (redboard) backing to ensure uniform printing pressure.

 

Boxcar bases allow the use of photopolymer plates, which come with their own adhesive.  You must e-mail Boxcar a digital file of your design in Adobe Illustrator (vector) format AND send a faxed copy the same day.

 

The Boxcar base has a grid printed on top of it; you adhere your photopolymer plate to the base and then lock up the base with furniture just like regular typesetting.

 

The staff at Boxcar is extremely helpful and will guide you through the process.  Tell them that you have a Kelsey 5×8 press and they will recommend the exact size Boxcar base for you.  Be sure to ask them what size (depth) of relief you need to order for your photopolymer plates.  That depth-relief number will never change for your plate orders, so put that number in your records.  Their website has a wealth of helpful information, too.

 

Good luck!

Oh thanks so much Sandra! This is not an easy sport! Lol I have such an ego, I just thought I would be printing stuff already! After two suggestions to call box car I believe I will do that. I will have to find a few other things like the furniture and the gauge pins and the tympan paper and red board. Can you recommend a good book for a beginner of a tabletop press that explains and maybe has pics? I couldn’t be happier to have a kind lady friend me here!Lesley

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