Letterpress Printing Process with a Heidelberg Windmill

If you were ever curious about how letterpress printing happens, this video is a must see! Watch as the windmill press is operating and I describe the movements, parts and letterpress printing process. New instructional Heidelberg platen letterpress video made by http://invitationsbyajalon.com

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[ajalonprinting]

We totally agree, everyone. There's nothing like letterpress!

[assemgander52]

I am running a 9 colour gravure press now..but served my time on Heidelberg platens.wharfdales,kelly and little giants...these were the days when printers were printers!!!

[aprintperson]

obviously letterpress can be learned. it is easier than litho in there is no ink and water balance. there are other challenges. pressure, proper inking, feeding, all the things of printing are common to both, with different solutions.

[wisnerma]

Are you saying a off-set guy could not learn to run one of these? I would be depressed because I want one and think it's super cool. I run a 12 unit 6 over 6 Heidelberg right now..do you think I could handle it? I'm not joking either..I want one in my basement.

[snookerado]

I operated a Heidelberg platen, then a cylinder before moving on to Lithography. I can confirm there is no comparison between the skills of a Letterpress printer and a lithographer..

A letterpress printer can do lithography but a lithographic printer would not have a clue how to do letterpress. It was truly magical times!!

[solefthanded2]

I preferred working on a Platen and the Cylinder than working on our Thomson litho anyway.

[travisbird]

great video guys very informative



[ijk240695]

I cut my teeth on one of these in about 1981, this and a Vertical Miehle. I agree that they were harder to get a good result from then Offset but a good Letterpress Printer could create stunningly beautiful 4 colour prints from wooden blocks.

Letterpress could achieve a greater depth than offset can achieve however the process was far slower and technology and the powers that be need mass production.

I now operate an 8 colour Komori at speeds of 12000iph printed 4 colours both sides, pretty sad.

[AssyrianAtheist]

i miss working on this.