Big Decisions : My New Etching Press

First Test Print June 2025

Getting older happens fast, I was always told this but never thought it would happen to me so fast! 
I have been finding printing large monoprints more and more physically difficult over these last few years. My studio is small and the large press I purchased 35 years ago was taking up too much space and making all the processes involved in printmaking extremely difficult as I have to work seated due to my CRPS and disability. I found I was always crashing into things and there was also limited space to paint.
So I reached a turning point and decided to move my big press out and concentrate on painting. However, my brain would not keep quiet, the problem being that I was not ready to stop printmaking and had lots of ideas to work smaller. 
So I went online and discovered a small bench top press that is portable and could go under a table when I wasn't printing. After much research I bought my new RP12 Enjay portable press (made in Melbourne) and am so excited. It works beautifully, is easy to use due to being very well engineered and gives professional results. My large press has found a new spot and is housed in our well insulated shed where, if I am desperate to print something larger than usual, I can still access.
Problem solved! Brain is still way too busy though - planning new work!