Intaglio presses

Swansea Print Workshop has five intaglio or etching presses in total, three of which are permanently studio based. These presses are distinguished by their capacity for extreme pressure and require the use of a soft packing between the roller and the plate or block. This takes the form of special dense woolen blankets.

They are hand driven by turning a wheel with horizontal handle attached and have some element of gearing to ensure an even progress through the rollers.

All of them have a history attached as they have all come to us from other printmakers.

Radcliffe Etching Press: Bed Size 72”x 35”

This very substantial press came from Chelsea College of Art, which has a long history of prestigious printmakers, such as Frank Brangwyn and David Hockney. There is no date stamp or manufacturer’s name on the press but from the design of it, was probably built around the 1920’s.

The largest print to come off the press is one that was done recently for the Artes Mundi Project and contained 20 (?) separate collagraph blocks with the paper at full bed size.

The press was moved from Chelsea by Chris Halliday, who had been responsible for its maintenance and safety adaptations whilst in use at the college. It was the first press to be installed at Clarence Street and incredibly he did this with a single assistant, three scaffolding poles and a hand winch.

Inverleith Etching Press: Bed Size 30”x15”

This press was bought from the artist, David Carpanini It was built by Chris Halliday and is great to use. Very easy and sensitive adjustment and quick to set up and use.

Bewick etching press |Bed size: 36” x 21”

This is our most modern intaglio press and has a very fine pressure adjustment making I our most popular and easy press to use. It can also adjust to print lino-cuts using a foam pad rather than etching blankets