Takach Press Printmaking Blog

Used NuArc Exposure Unit
1000 Watt, Table Top Plate Maker For Sale
Model 26-1K Mercury Exposure System

Used NuArc Exposure Unit For Sale

Integrated Light Source with vacuum contact frame.
22" x 26" vacuum frame for exposing, Photo-Litho, KM and Solar Photopolomer Plate, ImagOn Films.

Exposure unit Specifications
NuArc company, inc.
Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.
Model: 26-1K-LC
Serial: 271h84-049
Volts: 100/120
Amps: 11/10
Hertz: 60
Lamp: GW114 Lamp, 135v, 1000W
$695.00 Plus Shipping and Handling
For More Information Please Call 1-800-248-3460 or Email: info@takachpress.com
or see New Exposure Units available through Takach Press

Labels: used printmaking equipment Exposure Unit NuArc Mercury UV u.v.

Our students organized an end of the quarter printshop talent show last month, and Takach has a brief cameo. Enjoy!

Labels: printmaking, SCAD-Atlanta

Takach Etching Press Synchronized Pressure System

Takach Etching Press With Synchronized Pressure System And Rotational Blanket System

Takach Table Top Etching Press With Synchronized Pressure System, Rotational Blanket System, and Optional Captains Wheel

The Synchronized Pressure System is an optional feature on etching Presses, that allows adjustment of printing pressure from a single side of the printing press. The chain driven pressure screws move in unison, eliminating the need to walk around the etching press to adjust printing pressure. The Synchronized Pressure System ensures even printing pressure without the need of the micrometer dials. It saves valuable print studio space, as it allows a press to be used when placed against a wall. The complete package consists of synchronized pressure system, rotational blanket system and felt blankets. The rotational blanket system raises the felts off of the printing surface, freeing the hands of the printmaker during printing. The Rotational Blanket System feature eliminates the need to handle the blankets as they are neatly kept out of the way while remaining on the etching press ready for use.

Labels: Takach Etching Press Design Monotype Etching Intaglio Printmaking Blankets Monoprint

Release their inner printmaker, incorporate printmaking in your lesson plan or art program for youth. A recycled product that works well and is budget friendly can also be good for the environment. Recycle the wax coated cardboard from empty milk cartons or similar packages, like juice. The material is something you can have your students bring from home to obtain adequate quantities for the class while encouraging recycling. Similar to printing from Styrofoam boards the waxed side of the cardboard will resist water based inks, allowing the artist to select where the ink will hold by scraping or incising lines. Stippling effects are wonderful and can be achieved by pressing the point of pointed object like a pen making a recessed area for ink to hold. Cutting through the wax layer to expose the cardboard beneath will expose the fibers of the cardboard creating wonderfully organic edges and color ranges. Similarly areas within the image can be removed to create large areas of color. Try a multiple color application process normally called selective wiping or a la poupe, by placing different colors in different regions of the print during the wiping process. Where the colors meet blending will occur. This is a simple project with wonderful results. It does require that the plates / waxed cardboard be wiped, practicality would suggest cheesecloth if you don't have a good way to obtain tarlatin. This technique is primarily an intaglio process, but if your inks are of the right consistency color can be rolled onto the raised surfaces after initial wiping of contrasting colors. Try printing with Akua Intaglio Non-toxic inks, with inexpensive Speedball brayers.

Speedball Brayers

Akua Intaglio Inks

This is a link to a Well documented tour of The Takach Manufacturing Facility

Used Table Top Etching Press For Sale

Used Takach 1836 Table Top Etching Press For Sale

1836 Table Top Etching Press with 7.5" upper drum and Captains wheel.

Many Accessories included

Support bench, copper plate, registration grid, bed cover, apron included.

Asking $3,925.00

plus shipping and handling fees. Contact Takach Press for more information

Labels: Etching Press, for sale, Table top, Takach press, Used Press

Hand Rocked Mezzotint Copper Printmaking Plate

Takach Press is excited to offer hand rocked mezzotint plates to the printmaking community. These plates are hand rocked unlike many that are rocked by machine. The surface of the plate can be rocked in three finishes deternined by the number of lines per inch.

Edward C. Lyons Mezzotint Rocker

A course rocked mezzotint plate has 45 lines per inch, medium has 65 lines per inch and fine has 85 lines per inch. The rocking is done by hand with an Edward C. Lyons Mezzotint rocker.

As many of you are probably aware of right now Kodak has decided to stop manufacturing the Positive Working Litho Plates and is pushing for the new process of ctp. We at Takach Press have made the necessary arrangements to buy a large stockpile of plates for our customers. We recommend getting your orders in early to make sure you or your school are prepared for the following year. We are also currently working on finding a new source for the Positive Working Litho Plates and will post them to the site as soon as they are available. If you would like a little more info please read the following. PositiveLithoPlateNotice.pdf If you would like to purchase your plates online you can check out our online store. Questions please feel free to contact us at any time.

Labels: Capricorn, Hersell, Kodak, Positive Working Litho Plate

Hello, My name is Alan Takach, Education: I am currently working towards my BFA at the University of New Mexico. I am focused in the studio and more particularly in printmaking. I have completed courses in Lithography, Intaglio, and Serigraphy. I will complete my degree requirements in the fall of 2007, though there are many courses that I would still like to take. Professionally: I started working at Takach Press corporation as a teen and have learned the skills required to build the presses that we manufacture.
Community: I attended the Southern Graphics Council conference in Kansas City in 2007 and was introduced to the wonderful community of printmakers. It was great to experience first hand the diversity and warm welcoming of students, professors, and professional printmakers. Attending the conference inspired not only my art, it instilled personal edifice in the printing products that we at Takach Press produce.

A question we often answer for Takach Press's customers is about registration pin diameters and height choices. Our customers have the option of several pin choices that we manufacture. They must choose the correct registration pins from two diameters of and several heights.

Registration Pin Diameter

Takach Punch Registration Systems that were manufactured prior to 1991 use the 1/4 inch (.250") diameter registration pins. This size of pin will also work with a inexpensive three hole punch purchased at a office supply store. Takach Punch Registration Systems that were manufactured after 1991 use the 9/32 inch (.281") diameter registration pins.

Registration Pin Height

Registration pins come in the following heights .070" which is approximately 1/16 inch .125" 1/8 inch. .250" 1/4 inch. Our customers choose the pin height based on their matrix's thickness and the thickness of the paper used in a printing session.

Label Your Punch Registration System

We recommend that once a shop determines the correct diameter pin that a note be placed on the punch so that shop users who reorder the pins can quickly and accurately reorder punch registration pins. If your studio has a Takach Press 9/32 inch(.281") diameter punch registration system We will gladly send you a sticker to be placed on the punch, just contact us and ask.

What Are Punch Registration Pins Used For?

Registration pins are used by lithographers and other printmakers to align or register their printmaking paper to the litho plate or other printing matrix during the printing process. Printmakers use 3 hole or 6 hole punch registration punchs to punch holes into their printmaking matrix and corosponding holes into their paper.

Labels: printmaking, Punch Registration Pins, registration

Takach Combination Etching and Litho Printing Presses custom built transfer tables allow easy swap of your litho or etching head from the press to a safe storage and efficient transfer table.

If you have a used Takach Press that you would like to sell please contact Takach Press.

Labels: Used Press

Hi, I'm the guy at Takach who will attempt to answer technical or process related print questions. My name is Aaron and a brief summary of my credentials is; BFA Printmaking Tyler School of Art, Certified Professional Printer Tamarind Institute, MFA candidate University of New Mexico. Additionally, I have worked in a non-toxic printshop and have taught various workshops and classes. So, I'll attempt to answer any questions you may have... .but this field is wide enough that I may not have the solution. However, someone else on the blog may, this should be a good place to get some of those print-mysteries solved! Aaron Bass

Labels: information, methods, printmaking, questions, technical

Cleanup of Rollers and Brayers

Takach Press rollers are made of natural rubber with some plasticies to help hold the durometer. However we always suggest using a quality roller wash such as Varn 133 for final cleanup. The roller wash will remove any oily residue that may be left from whatever type of cleaner that may have been used. You can also use water and dishwashing soap for clean up. Dishwashing soap is good at breaking up oily surfaces.

To protect your roller long term.

Limit the use and time exposed to petroleum based products. Also keep the roller covered when not in use to protect it from any U.V. light source such as fluorescent lights and sun light.

Do you have more questions?

If you or anyone else has a question about rollers feel free to leave a comment here and Takach Press Corp will reply. Or call 1-800-248-3460 and ask for Joe Pool. Thanks for any Comments.

Would you like to know more about photopolymer films? I am available to research your printmaking related questions. Takach Press offers ImagOn Photopolymer film and photo sensetive related supplies. You can contact Takach press at 1-800-248-3460 for more information about the Printmaking supplies they offer.

Come tour our facility next time you are in Albuquerque. A map locating Takach Press's manufacturing facility.

Labels: Takach press map location address

A fire leveled the building that was home to this Takach tabletop etching press. The only thing left standing was the press workbench and all. The owner called Takach Press and asked that it be repaired. The Press was shipped to Albuquerque where it was completely overhauled. The picture is a before and after picture. Amazingly the before shot is on the left. The fire that leveled the building did little damage to the press. All press parts are the same on the right hand side except the brass tags one with the Takach logo and one with the serial number and date were the only things replaced.

ONLINE PRINT GALLERY: "The Takach Press Gallery has announced a call for entries for its online gallery. The gallery features prints pulled from Takach Presses. Printmakers and artists who use Takach Press printing presses are encouraged to share their original prints or mixed media pieces. This is an opportunity to share your etching and lithography. Share your printmaking techniques in the online the community! Details and a entry form.

Labels: call for entries prints