With a 11” x 16” platen (the metal part that moves down to “impress” the paper onto the inked block) I thought my Albion was too small to print my 5” x 8” “Storied Stone” wood engraving. I was happy to discover that I could print the block, and my edition is finally printed, using knowledge gained during my studying with Graham Williams at his Florin Press in England. And, my first use of makeready with the press (the additional layers of newsprint attached to a printed mirror image that is on the hinges tympan) was a delight. I now can apply more pressure on select areas of the block, adjusting by adding more layers of torn of pieces cut from newsprint proofs of the print. Once the block is inked, the hinged mat is lowered (protecting the print from ink miss-rolled). Then paper laid on the inked block, a flexible 1/16” layer of drafting table cover material is placed over the paper, the platen with makeready is lowered, and the pressure applied with the pull of the Albion’s handle. Missing are photos of the dampened paper set-up. The Albion is a joy to use, the perfect old-school tool for printing wood engravings.
Printing “Storied Stone” on my Albion press in my ArtStart studio, downtown Rhinelander.
Paper dampened overnight ready to print with. A new process that I am still learning. It is worth the extra effort.
Ready to ink.
Mat lowered before placing paper on inked block, so only the ink on the end-grain block will be printed.
The paper is carefully placed onto the block.
Flexible rubbery material is placed on-top of the paper before the tympan and its makeready is lowered down.
The makeready and its additional layers of newsprint glued onto it. One more layer over an area will add a slight extra pressure through the flexible material. Multiple layers, more pressure. These subtle additions make a huge difference.
The tympan is lowered and ready to be moved under the platen with the crank of the handle.
Pressure is applied (always a two handed pull, here one hand takes the photo).
The printed image, next damp paper will be pressed between blotters overnight, so the paper will dry and be flat.