Printing Plates

[steve B]

I might be interested in the cycling ones.

I haven't tried yet with mine, but I'm almost certain I can get prints from most of the old plates.
Especially in a few weeks when I get my press up and running. Not a printing press, but an industrial press that should work well with old printing blocks.

[RedsFan1941]

love it when I win an item for the opening bid! Congrats!

[matty39]

They look like they are all on wood blocks. If they are, just look for someone in your area that has a letter press print shop. There should be some hobby shops around. Call them and ask if they have a proof press. Most shops will have one. Explain what you have and ask if they would be willing to pull some proofs for you. Should be very inexpensive and should take very little time. good luck.

[chlankf]

Some really great info everyone. Thanks for all of your input. Keep it coming.

I will reach out to a feew local print shops to see if any have an old press. Most are not on wood blocks, only a handful are. The remaining are on metal plates or are made of metal entirely.

Like i said this is a new area for me. I am having a great time researching and just admiring them.

If i am able to print any of the pic i will surely post my results.

[Darner]

If you want a really good print then a print shop is probably the way to go. If you just want to see a positive image, you can make a quick and dirty print yourself using block printing ink from an art supply store. Roll out the ink on a sheet of plexiglass or glass with a rubber roller. With the roller evenly loaded with ink, roll the ink onto the plate. Place a piece of paper on top of the inked plate then gently burnish the paper against the inked plate so the ink transfers well, (rubbing with the back of a wooden spoon is good for this). Lift the paper off the plate and you will have a print. The results likely won't be a nice as a real letterpress but at least you can see what you have. I use water soluble ink so it's easy to clean up and rinse the ink off the metal plates afterwards.

[chlankf]

Originally Posted by Darner

If you want a really good print then a print shop is probably the way to go. If you just want to see a positive image, you can make a quick and dirty print yourself using block printing ink from an art supply store. Roll out the ink on a sheet of plexiglass or glass with a rubber roller. With the roller evenly loaded with ink, roll the ink onto the plate. Place a piece of paper on top of the inked plate then gently burnish the paper against the inked plate so the ink transfers well, (rubbing with the back of a wooden spoon is good for this). Lift the paper off the plate and you will have a print. The results likely won't be a nice as a real letterpress but at least you can see what you have. I use water soluble ink so it's easy to clean up and rinse the ink off the metal plates afterwards.

Thanks Ed. That might just work for what I'm wanting to do.

[drcy]

If you want to get creative, you can print them in different colors and make a framable design.