3D Printed Printing Press

During our opening of the Horned Toad II Print Exchange at the Southwest Print Fiesta on October 5, 2018, we showed off the 3D printed printing press.  We  downloaded the files from Thingiverse:  the DIY Printmaking Prees - Open Press Project.

Manuel Guerra during the opening

showed off the

3D printed printing press

to Gabe Farley (who 3D printed brayers)

and Eric of Argos Studio/Gallery in Santa Fe

The 3D printed printing press 

was born at QueLab hackerspace in Albuquerque,

when it was printed by Joshua

3D printing in progress

Manuel Guerra made little blankets for the 

3D printed printing press, 

but in the end I think 2 pieces of thin cardboard worked best

We made a relief print 

on the 3D printed printing press

from an impression in a Styrofoam plate

(made with the Horned Toad chop)

Prints, newsprint, and the Styrofoam plate

with the 3D printed printing press

mounted on a board

"Bloop!"

While giving a demo to middle school kids

Manny named the printer "Elvira"

Later that night Manny drew a crowd 

while giving a demo of the

3D printed printing press

at the Horned Toad II opening

Manny showing off the press

to Bryce McCloud, guest printmaker for the Southwest Print Fiesta,

and Kyle Durrie, owner of Power and Light Press

Video of print demo

on the 3D printed printing press,

taken by Karen Hymer

3D PRINTED BRAYERS

When we got to Silver City, we found that Gabe Farley had 3D printed brayers, to roll ink on the prints. They were the perfect size for our 3D printed printing press.  So we had to find a way to make them work, to complete the poetry.

Yellow 3D printed brayer,

with the 3D printed printing press

At QueLab hackerspace back in Albuquerque, Joshua suggested using electrical heat shrink to wrap around the 3D printed brayer, to make the brayer roll smooth.  Smooth would pick up and apply ink better.

3D printed brayers --

one without, and the other with,

electrical head shrink tubing

Loosely wrapping the heat shrink tubing

around the brayer

Heat Shrinking

We have not tried out the brayers yet.

WILDLAND PRESS PRINTER

Blossom Merz, owner of Wildland Press in Madrid, NM, also brought his 3D printed printing press, and showed that off in his tent the day after our opening, during the big print vendor fair.  His press was gray.

Blossom inking,

using Cranfield Caligo ink

He printed business cards,

which were made from a

3D printed plate, with raised letters

One day I would like to electro-etch a small copper plate, using a cell phone charger, and print with the 3D printed printing press.

We experience briefly

with electro-etching copper 

at QueLab hackerspace in Albuquerque

The whole 3D printed printing press

fit in the pink box (from Office Depot),

which doubled as a container to soak paper