Press Printing Demo

Press setup that makes the process easy to read

The demo begins at the press bed, where the block, blankets, felts and paper are laid out in the order they need to work. We show how lino and soft-cut blocks sit on the bed, how the press pressure is set for the paper weight, and how a test pull reveals whether the impression is too light or too heavy. The demo shows how a relief press behaves when the bed is clean, the packing is right and the block height matches the paper.

Guests see the difference between hand burnishing with a baren and pressing through a roller press, along with the effect of plate height, blanket thickness and paper texture. For a group, this helps everyone understand why the same block can print differently on cotton rag, cartridge, or a smoother printmaking sheet.

What the demo includes at the worktable

A press printing demo usually covers the full sequence from ink to edition, with examples of how the print changes as the pressure and paper shift. We explain each step at the table, using the tools the group will handle. People can see carved lino, soft-cut, brayers, inks, registration marks and finished proofs side by side.

• Press setup, blanket layering and bed alignment
• Safe handling of carved blocks and printed proofs
• Water-based and oil-based block inks in plain use cases
• Registration marks for single colour and simple two-colour work
• Paper choices, trimming notes and drying space for fresh pulls

The focus is on how each part affects the final image. A block with shallow cutting behaves differently from a deep carve, and a well-chosen paper can carry a cleaner impression without forcing more pressure than the image needs.

How the session normally runs

We begin with a short introduction to the press, the block and the ink system being used for that session. After that, the group watches a print being rolled, registered and pulled so the sequence is easy to follow. Where the booking includes hands-on participation, guests help place paper, guide the blankets, and lift the finished proof off the bed with care.

• Arrival and studio briefing
• Press, ink and paper demonstration
• Test proof and pressure check
• Registration demonstration for repeat prints
• Final pull and drying discussion

For school groups or mixed ages, we keep the explanation steady and practical. For adults and student groups, there is more detail on edition control, repeatability and how to keep the printed area clean when several pulls are needed for one image.

Suitable for studios, schools and venue bookings

This format works well in Woodstock, and also at schools, galleries, community spaces and corporate venues across Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. The setup can be scaled for a small classroom table or a larger hall, provided there is enough room for the press, drying space and a safe path around the equipment.

When the demo is booked as part of a wider programme, we can tailor the emphasis toward beginner printmaking, classroom demonstration, team engagement or a family-friendly introduction. In a venue setting, we check the floor area, table height and access route before equipment moves in, because a press needs stable placement and enough room for paper handling around it.

• Private studio bookings in Woodstock
• School pop-up demonstrations and teacher sessions
• Team bookings for groups with no printmaking background
• Family sessions with a lighter explanation and shorter print run

Edition notes, drying and finishing care

Once the prints are pulled, we explain how edition numbering works and why a printmaker keeps the sequence tidy. A clean edition has consistent pressure, even ink coverage and the same paper size across the run. The session also covers drying time, stacking with interleaving sheets where needed, and how to keep fresh prints flat while they cure.

Aftercare for this service is mostly about handling the prints properly after the demo. The ink type, paper weight and room conditions all affect how long a print should rest before framing or packing. If the booking includes press printing for a group, we also note how to store proof sheets, keep fingerprints off the image area, and move finished work without scuffing the surface.

Costs for a press demo

Pricing is set according to group size, session length, venue location, press requirements and whether the booking is a studio visit or an off-site setup. A simple demonstration for a small group needs less preparation than a school programme or a venue call-out with extra paper handling and transport. We also allow for the number of printed pulls, the inks used and any added guidance for beginners.

Our contact form is the best place to send the booking details, including the area, expected headcount, age group and whether the session should lean toward demonstration or guided participation. That helps us shape the run of the session and match the equipment to the space without overcomplicating the day.

• Session length depends on the group format
• Studio and off-site bookings are priced differently
• Additional paper, proofing and setup can change the quote
• Teacher or facilitator input can be added where needed