Takach Technical Information
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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
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10 Comments:
Hello Aaron,
I would like to know which of Takach brayers/rollers, rubber or leather ones and which durometer are best to work with polyester lithography plates (pronto plates).
I also would like to know if there is any shop in Europe where will be possible to find Takach suplies like specially the rollers, brayers or presses.
Thank you for any informations on that.
Fatima Ferreira (Portugal)
Fatima:
60 duro is the best, essentially you want a hard surface since it is a minimal surface coating of ink. What is more important is that your ink consistency be right. If it's too stiff you can rip the toner off the plate, too loose and you get scum galore. Most inks need to be modified with magnesium and a medium oil (4 or 5).
As far as European distributors we don't really have any, especially not for presses since they are all somewhat customized to the user. However, we do ship stuff overseas on a regular basis. The way shipping works it's often more advantageous to buy all the supplies you need in one shot, rather than multiple shippings since there are all sorts of costs per box shipped internationally.
Hope that answers your questions
Aaron at T.P.
Hello Aaron. I am using a Takack Press for the first time at a residency program. Normally I use an etching press so this is a bit of a change. Is etching ink putting me at a distinct disadvantage? I'm having truoble getting ink to transfer to the paper with any reliability. I've adjusted and readjusted the pressure, tried augmenting with blankets under the tympan. I'm using grease on the scraper bar and tympan. Right now I am preparing to try a fresh tympan as the one on the press looks well used. Can you give me any tips to get the pressure right? And any ideas about ink consistency would also be appreciated. Actually any suggestions you might have would be gretly appreciated. I have not tried dampened paper yet as I thought I'd try to get things right or somewhat close with newsprint first. Thanks Alice
Alice-
I think we need abit more information...mainly what is the process (monotype? collograph? litho? etc.)you are trying to run through the litho press?
However, a good way to get a starting pressure on a litho press is;
1) drop the pressure handle and lower the scraper-bar onto the tympan.
2) tighten wheel to the point where you can't turn it with one hand.
3) raise handle, tighten pressure wheel another quarter turn.
4) now the pressure handle should be tight but you should still be able to bring it all the way down with one hand.
This is all based on pressure for litho, other processes need less pressure or an etching press.
hope that answers some of your questions
Aaron
PS: If you are doing litho, then yes etching ink is the wrong consistency. You may need to modify with plate oil/litho varnish and magnesium.
Aaron, I met the Takach's when I was in the intensive printer training programs in l988 and 1992 - a long time ago -- I've been pulling lithos since 1965 on stone and later on alum. plates -- during a studio-moving "ordeal" a few years ago, I lost one of my files containing old etch formulas for stones, including one by Lynton Kistler -- the Kistler formula is the one I am missing to make my reconstructed files complete - is there anyone there who know that particular formula (it's quite an 'oldie') -- hope you can help. Thanks! Sherana
Anyone know the formulation of Lynton Kistler's etch formula for litho stones? Thanks!
Anyone know the formulation of Lynton Kistler's etch formula for litho stones? Thanks! Sherana
Looking for the old Lynton Kistler etch formula for litho stone -- anyone still have it? Thanks!
Sherana Harriette Frances
Sherena,
Good news you can find the receipe posted at the UWStout website posted by Bryan Richie. To view the search results for the Kistler Etch Table Click Here.
This will take you to the google search results page. You may view the page in the browser or download it to a word document.
i was taught never to use a scraper bar (in lithography) that is larger than your stone, because it would damage the scraper bar, but i have seen a lot of people doing it, both with wood and leather, and the newer plastic bars. any advice?
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