How to Make a DIY Printing Press from a Panini Press

This tutorial is how to make a DIY printing press from an old panini press!

I was trying to convince Brett to make me a printing press one day when all the sudden it clicked that I could probably make a printing press from our old panini press. I haven’t made a panini in a long time and this old Cuisinart was just sitting around in the basement. Really you could use any type of food press that has a floating hinge, one that will angle the griddle parallel.  Here’s a quick animation of me using my press:

 

A video posted by Ashley Hackshaw (@lilblueboo) on Dec 21, 2016 at 10:35am PST

So first you’l need an old panini press or some type of floating hinge press:

Two piece of felt and two flat pieces of 1/4″ wood will make up the inside of the press:

I use my press to print linoleum block prints or speedy carve blocks. Here are a few in progress:

Designing a block print:

Using the linoleum cutter to carve out the print:

Speedball offers this starter kit for block printing that has all the tools you need:

When you have a linoleum block ready to print you just make a sandwich of layers inside the press starting with one of the pieces of wood:

Then a layer of felt:

Now it’s time to apply ink to the block. I use a piece of glass or plexiglass to roll out my water-soluble printing ink so that I get a smooth layer. I roll it out using a printing brayer:

Then I roll a layer of ink onto the block making sure to roll in all directions so that every part of the block is covered:

Then I place a sheet of paper onto the felt and carefully place my block face down onto the paper:

I add a layer of felt and another piece of wood:

And close the press:

The floating hinge of the press allows the top of the press to come down at a flat angle and the leverage results in an even firm pressure:

I open the press and remove the block and paper. Then carefully peel the paper away from the block:

It’s an easy way to make print after print without killing your palms and getting an even consistent press:

I love how these turned out:

This is my Foshizzle print. I offer it here on Etsy:

Proceeds from my Happy print go to Happy the Happiest Dog’s medical expenses:

You can read more about Happy here! She’s the sweetest addition to our family. 

Also, you can find more tutorials on printing and stamp carving here or below:

 Make a Personalized “Postage” Stamp

Hand-Stamped Party and Table Decor:  

Hand-Stamped Clothing:

An Introduction to Block Printing:

How to Make Eco-Friendly Party Decor:

How to Make Easy Foam Stamps: