Materials needed for printing.

I am thinking of buying a used printing press. I am trying to get a list of items together that I will need...did I miss anything?

Ryobi 3302 2 color press $10,000
HP5000 laser to make plates $299.00
Folder (already have)
Guillotine Cutter (already have)
Poly plates $120
Ink $100

 

fountain solution?

 

plate cleaner, plate gum, etch, solvent, roller wash, blanket wash ...

 

Keep it simple, stick to a water misable wash it will clean rollers and blankets, one of the products I use is Varn VWM wash. Not sure of the dampeners that you have or will have, so you may also need a MRC cleaner (metering roller cleaner). A printers loop is a must (Magnitfying glass), a scale to make pantone colours, and a pantone book to match the colours. To monitor what the machine is printing a veiwing table about 48" tall, an angled with a lip and a light over it. A caliper to measure the thickness of the paper, blankets and packing. Some basic tools with a grease gun and oil can are required too. I hope this helps you get going, remember there are no problems, only solutions.

 

collator, bookletmaker, no. and perf unit

 

Comfortable shoes

 

some hair to pull out....

 

HP 5000 for $299 ? That HP if intended to make plates must be superperfect. Fuser must be brand new, better OEM, cartridges must be new OEM, transfer roller must be new otherwise it will kill you with problems - it will tone the plates that you will never see but on the press it will cause scamming, framing etc - that is a promise. #1 - you're much better off with LaserJet 5100. #2 - Nice printer to start with, normally priced over $500. And you really do want a nice one.

 

Also: few extra blankets is not a bad idea, suction cups for your press. Find a source to have metal plates made for longer / halftone runs. Poly plates out of HP fused twice (which is also create a problem) will last 10k, with halftones 3 - 6k. Trap registration - hmmmmm, even glued to the cylinder with repositionable glue - OK but not always. Large solid areas - good luck. So freidly fella printer who accasinaly can make a plate or two is a must. Product called Laser plate cleaner and delition pen - add it up please. (Hurst graphics could be the source) I liked Xante Myriad plates out of all.

 

You are going to need some computer software to do your designing,
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop maybe PageMaker also Quickbook for invoices, Estimating software like Franklin estimating systems.


David C. Lopez
http://www.dclgraphics.com