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How to Make Prints With a Slab Roller

If you don't have a proof press or an etching press for making prints, try using a slab roller. Although these rollers are intended to roll out slabs of clay for ceramics production, you can also use them to create quality linoleum block and wood engraving prints. If you have access to a ceramics studio, using a slab roller for printmaking is simple. You'll pull an entire edition of prints in the same time it would take on a proof or etching press.

Things You'll Need

  • Slab roller
  • Carved linoleum block or wood engraving
  • Printing ink
  • Piece of glass
  • Brayer
  • Scrap paper
  • Printing paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Adjust the slab roller so the cylinder sits as high off the rolling surface as possible. Depending on the model, the slab roller's cylinder should sit about 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 inches above the rolling surface.

    • 2

      Place a dollop of printing ink on a piece of glass or marble and distribute it with a rubber brayer.

    • 3

      Load the brayer with a coat of ink and spread an even layer over the surface of a linoleum block or wood engraving that measures no taller than 2 1/8 inches.

    • 4

      Place the inked block face-up on the slab roller and position a piece of scrap paper on the block.

    • 5

      Turn the slab roller's large wheel to run the block and scrap paper under the cylinder.

    • 6

      Check the image impression. If the impression looks light, slightly lower the cylinder height and repeat the proofing process described above.

    • 7

      Print a final proof on the paper you intend to use for your edition of prints and check the image impression once more.

    • 8

      Make any final adjustments to the level of ink you apply to your block and to the height of the slab roller cylinder and begin printing your edition.

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