Day 9

The controls for the Vandercook Universal III back press.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• Intro to the back press– it's semi-automatic and a bit intimidating; while the front and mid press have only a couple switches, this one's got several.
• Mix your color correctly before you start your edition!
• Signs you might have too much ink:
  a) ink prints shinier (especially on a matte paper)
  b) ink has a bubbly texture
  c) finer areas fill in/bleed
  d) rollers "sizzle" too loudly
• Don't use lead furniture to fill in the press bed; it has no give and is hard on the roller
• How to clean the press rollers properly (take 2)

WHAT I DID

• Printed Grand Ole Opry restrikes
• Printed on the back press's tympan paper (cranked the wrong lever, too many options!)