“On a workshop I went on a few years ago, I used a proper lino press instead of hand burnishing for the first time, and saw how the results are so much more professional. I couldn’t go back to hand burnishing after that. I was using the lino presses and etching presses at the Curwen Study Centre, a half-hour drive away, but I really wanted to have the independence of being able to do all of these things any time of day or night. I did a lot of research when looking into different presses, and I decided NOT to buy a second hand one, as I am a technical novice and needed to know it would work well, and I was keen to have a warranty etc. When looking at the Gunning presses, they seemed perfect for both relief printing and intaglio, there was little to no maintenance involved, and one of the team would come and set it up and show me how to use it. That final bit sold it to me. I have to say, the team were absolutely fantastic. I learned quite a lot on set-up day, and it was so exciting to finally be able to do everything at home.”
“I think it’s the ease with which you can transform its set-up from relief printing to intaglio printing. For relief printing, I have two different sets of runners for different heights of blocks, and then for intaglio it’s all about the blankets. It’s a fabulous press, and I am delighted with it.”
“Ooh, no, but that’s a great idea… I will ask the kids to come up with something! No doubt it will be cat-related….”
“Do it! You only live once, and it will transform how you work. Although beware of losing track of time – I have been known to carry on printing until midnight without realising. Good thing my kids are assertive when it comes to asking for dinner etc!”
Etching Printing Press No. 2
by Gordon Yapp, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
Etching Printing Press No.1
by Fiona Thomson
