Printing frame for contact prints
Categories: Tools — Tags: Contatto, Legno, Pressione, Stampa, Vetro
Translations:
italiano •
A printing frame (Italian article) -chassis presse in French or pressino/torchietto in Italian- is an essential instrument for every printer of alternative techniques and historical processes. Almost the totality of the antique print techniques is contact printings. It is therefore necessary a perfect adhesion between negative and printing support to gain all the finest details and even the presence of unpleasant flou zones. Moreover, it is necessary to inspection the print to determine the correct exposition without losing the register between negative and print.
These two fundamental characteristics of the printing frames are easily obtainable on little size. The traditional printing system is less and less efficient when working on sizes bigger than 20×30cm. It is then necessary an expensive and often loud vacuum pump system.
Using an innovative pressure system the printing frames I use solve the problem of bigger formats. Furthermore this printing frame is versatile (it is possible to print on support with different thickness), user friendly and has a quick opening. Still it conjugates all those characteristics with many little forethoughts, which are the result of years of print experience, attempts and prototypes of printing frames. It is a complete and versatile tool.
The printing frames I use are entirely craft handed made. More than the aesthetic aspect, versatility and details attention, it is conceived to give the best pressure, obtained thanks to perfect bottom flatness, front rank materials, the knobs system, etc…
The whole is an essential precise instrument made for every contact printer that wants to make the most of its big negatives.
Printing frame specifics
Total encumbrance: 46×62x9.5cm (with pressure mechanism totally extended; minimum is 6.5cm)Weight: 5500 g
Frame dimension: 44×62cm
Maximum image dimension: 38.5×56cm
Maximum paper format: 40.5×58cm
Glass thickness: 3mm (augmentable up to 5-6mm)
Price: 200 euros + delivery charges
The chosen dimension allows the print in A3+, the hugest normally used since digital negative has changed the printing habits of contact printers. The choice of the print support sized 38×56cm let the printer use, without any waste, the half of a 56×76cm paper, one of the most used size of the beaux-arts paper constructors. A 38×56cm paper gives an A3+ image with a frame of 4cm. Obviously the printing frame can be used to print without waste on a quarter of a 70×100cm paper, another standard size of paper constructors. Or even print a negative smaller than an A3+ on a bigger sheet, so that borders are wider.
Even if it is possible, augmenting the chosen dimensions requires stronger pressures, supported only by thicker plates that expand the exposure time. Not using vacuum pump also augment the risk to obtain flou zones and irregularities. The use of bigger sizes, like 50×70cm for example, is to be looked after.
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