Registration Method
This is a description of my method of registration for type-high (1" high) blocks of wood or pre-mounted linoleum (such as Speedball brand mounted linoleum blocks). This system is design to ensure critical alignment between paper and block in reduction and multi-block color printing. I have found this method to be so precise and efficient that I now use it for all my relief printing.
This tutorial falls into two categories; construction and use. For easy reference, each image description is titled with the category it belongs to. The order of this tutorial is: first row - left to right, second row -left to right, etc.
The construction element is the registration sled. This may be a challenging project for anyone lacking a table saw, but it's simple construction and with the aid of someone (friend, cabinetmaker, home center) to pre-cut the wood to size it can then be assembled with simple artist/hand tools.
Obtaining the registration pins will be the most challenging element as they are not a regularly stocked item at most brick and mortar art stores. Some art stores may be able to special order them and this is a good place to start in your quest. If a local art store can't help, a good screen printer supply shop may be your next best bet. Also, be sure to order the plastic tabs that match the pins when you find a source (usually a bag of 100). I'd estimate the cost of the finished sled, in the size described here (with tabs and three pins), to be in the $50 to $100 range. The pins can be expensive, ranging anywhere between $7 and $20 each. Two pins is a minimum, however you may find more pins useful for larger paper or flexibility in pin selection for larger or smaller blocks.
Read MoreThis tutorial falls into two categories; construction and use. For easy reference, each image description is titled with the category it belongs to. The order of this tutorial is: first row - left to right, second row -left to right, etc.
The construction element is the registration sled. This may be a challenging project for anyone lacking a table saw, but it's simple construction and with the aid of someone (friend, cabinetmaker, home center) to pre-cut the wood to size it can then be assembled with simple artist/hand tools.
Obtaining the registration pins will be the most challenging element as they are not a regularly stocked item at most brick and mortar art stores. Some art stores may be able to special order them and this is a good place to start in your quest. If a local art store can't help, a good screen printer supply shop may be your next best bet. Also, be sure to order the plastic tabs that match the pins when you find a source (usually a bag of 100). I'd estimate the cost of the finished sled, in the size described here (with tabs and three pins), to be in the $50 to $100 range. The pins can be expensive, ranging anywhere between $7 and $20 each. Two pins is a minimum, however you may find more pins useful for larger paper or flexibility in pin selection for larger or smaller blocks.
Use: Paper Prep: Include Some Newsprint
Note: For multi-block and reduction printing you will want to bump up your print quantity by at least five prints; more if you are doing this for the first time. No matter how careful you are you will not have success with every sheet you started with. It may be ink, paper, press, weather, or user-error that does it but you will lose prints. The losses reduce over time, but they will happen just accept it. With other methods the losses can be half or more, so this is still the better method for registration.
