I bought a press!

I am enjoying printing so much I was researching ways to do it at home... using manual methods. 

I found gel printing - but you only get one print at a time as far as I can tell. It looks like an interesting way to make prints though so I might give it a try.

I watched videos of artists demonstrating printing manually.... looks tiring and I'm not sure my hands would hold up well (I have a bit of arthritis in my hands.)

As I sold my glass kiln a couple weeks ago, it felt like I could probably afford to get a small press... they don't cost anywhere close to what I got for my kiln, I sold it for 30% more than I paid for it! (We still have a kiln, mine was the overflow kiln.)

My big concern was space... there isn't anywhere to put press at home. And I didn't want to turn a crank or wheel - I'm finding that hard physically.

I was checking out options online (as one does) and found a type of press that I could set-up on a dresser or table. They do come in all paper sizes.

So I seriously started to look into them - going back and forth on what size I should get. I didn't want to limit myself to no bigger than A4, so I decided A3 should fit where I think I can put it. There is a Plan B as well, just in case.

This one was on sale, free delivery. It's A3 and I got to pick the colour! Matches my room decor (that's very important...)

So... I did it. I ordered it. Cost less than the profit I made selling my kiln.

Now I need to find a good oil cloth floor covering for the studio end of my room. If I'm going to be working with inks on a press, I'll need to protect the carpet.

And I can use it for squashing all sorts of things. Maybe even a sock press?