Product Information
Overview
The Conrad E-12 Tabletop Etching Press is the first professional grade compact printmaking press, designed by Conrad in 1970. With a printing area of 12" x 24" and weighing only 100 lbs., this press is built to the precise tolerances of a studio-class floor model press and can withstand decades of professional use and classroom abuse.
The Conrad E-12 is crafted from the highest quality materials to pack the same printing power as larger Conrad Presses into a smaller machine. The E-12 feels smooth printing the highest pressure work like etching/intaglio, photo gravure, and solar plates.
Lighter pressure printing like monotypes, linocuts, wood blocks, letterpress type, and all other relief work is effortless for the Conrad E-12.
The E-12 is available in two different models: standard and deluxe. The standard model offers a direct drive open spoked wheel that gives the printmaker a smooth, ergonomic printing experience. The deluxe model is equipped with the proprietary Conrad geared reduction drive and hand crank for easy printing under extreme heavy pressure.
Printing Capabilities
The Conrad E-12 Etching Press can easily print the following media:
- Monotypes
- Wood blocks
- Linocuts (mounted & unmounted)
- Type high blocks
- Letterpress
- Drypoints
- Engravings
- Intaglio/Etchings (copper, zinc, etc.)
- Photogravure/Photopolymer
- Caligraphs
- Plate lithography
Configurations
The Conrad E-12 Standard Etching Press comes with the following configuration:
- Lower roll driven
- Direct drive with 30" diameter Open Spoked wheel (14.75" spokes)
- 12" x 24" composite bed plate
The Conrad E-12 Deluxe Etching Press comes with the following configuration:
- Upper roll driven
- Conrad geared reduction drive with polished aluminum hand crank
- 12" x 24" composite bed plate
Options
Optional press configurations include:
- Micro-gauges
- Protective bed cover and registration grid
- Open spoked wheel in place of hand crank (Deluxe press only)
- Enclosed wheel (Captain's Wheel)
- Aluminum upper & lower rolls for weight reduction
- Aluminum or steel bed
Press Accessories
Optional accessories for you new etching press include:
Conrad E-12 Standard vs Conrad E-12 Deluxe Etching Press: What's the Difference?
The Conrad E-12 etching press is available in two different models: standard and deluxe.
E-12 Standard
The E-12 Standard press includes a direct drive option with a open spoked wheel mounted directly to the lower roll.
The long spokes give the printmaker plenty of leverage to smoothly pull prints the full width of the bed. This option is more economical for printmakers on a budget.
The E-12 Standard is capable of printing any pressure work from light pressure relief work to heavy pressure intaglio work.
If you prefer printing with a hand crank, you will need to upgrade to a Deluxe model.
E-12 Deluxe
The E-12 Deluxe press includes the propriatary Conrad planetary gear reduction drive for printmakers who prefer printing with a hand crank. The 10" hand crank is crafted from solid aluminum and polished to a brilliant shine.
This Conrad drive system is a fully enclosed geared reduction drive that gives you smooth, effortless printing with a traditional handcrank. Since a hand crank offers less leverage than a spoked wheel, additional gearing is required for printing under heavy pressure.
Lesser quality presses claim to have "gearing" on their tabletop presses, but don't be fooled. These are often simply gears attached directly to the roll and handle that do not produce adaquate reduction necessary for printing high pressure work.
Conrad is the only press company that offers a true planetary geared drive system capable of providing smooth, even printing at the highest pressures for decades of prints.
E-12 Specifications
Size and printing specifications for the Conrad E-12 Tabletop press.
|
Overall Press Dimensions: |
19” x 24” x 13” |
|
Press Frame Dimensions: |
15" x 24" |
|
Maximum Print Area Size: |
12" x 24" |
|
Maximum Plate Height: |
1.25" |
|
Bed Height of Frame (Working Height): |
5" |
|
Bed Height (Working Height) on Stand/Workbench: |
34.5" |
|
Stand/Workbench Height: |
29.5" |
|
Open Spoked Wheel (Standard Model): |
14.75" Spokes (Total of 30" Diameter Open Wheel) |
|
Geared Reduction Drive (Deluxe Model): |
Geared Reduction Drive with 10" Polished Aluminum Handle |
|
Enclosed Star Wheel (Captain's Wheel): |
24” Diameter |
|
Standard Upper Roll: |
3” Diameter Solid Steel |
|
Standard Lower Roll: |
2.25” Diameter Solid Steel |
|
Oversized Upper Roll: |
4.5" Diameter Solid Aluminum |
|
Composite Bed Dimensions: |
12” x 24” x 1/2” |
|
Aluminum Bed Dimensions: |
12” x 28” x 1/2” |
|
Steel Bed Dimensions: |
12” x 24” x 1/2” |
|
Press Weights: |
E-12 Standard with composite bed: 100 lbs. E-12 Standard with aluminum bed: lbs. E-12 Standard with steel bed: lbs. E-12 Deluxe with composite bed: 120 lbs. E-12 Deluxe with aluminum bed: lbs. E-12 Deluxe with steel bed: lbs. |
Press Warranty
All Conrad Machine Co. Presses come with the printmaking industry's best 25 Year Warranty. We here at Conrad Machine Co. believe in our products and workmanship, so much so, that we will repair or replace any defects in materials or workmanship for the first 25 years of the life of your printmaking press.
