Presses

Printing machines — in all shapes and sizes

Arab Drawing from the 1940s

Arab Drawing from the 1940s

Printing presses — more properly known as ‘printing machines’ in the UK — come in a myriad of shapes and sizes, from the tiny Adana HS1 (printing around 3″ x 2″) to the massive Wharfedale machines designed to print posters and newspapers.

John Southward’s Practical Printing offers five different ways of classifying presses, but here they are all dropped in to one of four categories — small presses; iron hand presses; platen presses; and cylinder presses.

As ever, your additions to this collection of presses are welcome: contact details are at the foot of the page.

Also in this Section

Iron Hand Presses

Iron Hand Presses

The first iron presses

Read more »
Small Presses

Small Presses

Presses that can be moved and operated by hand

Read more »
Platen Presses

Platen Presses

Presses that use a ‘clam shell’ approach

Read more »
Cylinder and Proofing Presses

Cylinder and Proofing Presses

Presses using a cylinder to impress the paper on the forme

Read more »
Finding a Press

Finding a Press

How to find yourself a printing press

Read more »