Well engineered portable presses from Italy with solid steel rollers and 3mm thick metal bed. Lifting up the top roller is for relief printing only, you will not be able to print anything but thinner intaglio plates on this press, optimally up to 1mm metal with a decent bevel on or thinner 0.8mm plates like our economy zinc or transparent printing plates. The Fome presses work well for line etching, drypoint, monoprint and relief.It must be stressed that these small press will not print with the same pressure as a larger heavier studio press. If you have designed your prints with your plates, inks, paper using a large heavy press, you will not necessarily be able to reproduce them on these small presses. Putting too much pressure on the presses can damage them.Please Note: The manufacturer recommends to attach this press to a table so you can get enough leverage for proper printing function.SpecificationsWeight: 8.5 Kg Length: 25 cm Width: 31.5 cm Height: 17 cm Width of ruler: 25.5 cm Diam. lower roller: 3.5 cm Diam. upper roller: 3.5 cm Metal plate: 26.8 x 42 x 0.3 cmMaximum board or lino thickness: 1.7cmRead our series of blog posts about setting up and using the Fome School Etching Press.Other Fome Presses available here.Replacement Fome Felt Mats available here.

Wood engravers use Round Scorpers to create incisions on the surface of woodblocks. As woodblocks are inked with a roller, these incisions do not receive ink, and therefore show up white in the final print.This is a medium Round Scorper (#56), used to draw very thick, bold lines. Because the tip of a Scorper is flat, rather than pointed (as Spitstickers and Gravers are), scorpers of larger sizes are used to clear large areas of woodblocks (often round the edge of the design, or at the corners of a block) so that they will not print.Above a certain point, Round Scorpers have strait sides, which means that they will cut a line of a constant width if fully engaged in the wood. However, because the tip of the tool is shaped like a capital U, lines cut with it will have rounded ends.Scorpers are also useful when lightening areas of a print by stippling: repeatedly pecking at the woodblock with the tip of the tool, so that the surface bears a carpet of tiny incisions. Because of the U-shaped tip of this tool, it is perfect for creating large round dots.This tool was made from high carbon tool steel in the United States by E.C. Lyons. It is supplied factory-sharp, but it has not been honed to a fine edge. Please note, engraving tools are known by different names in the U.K. and the United States. Round Scorpers are known as 'Round Gravers' in the U.S.A.

When metal plates are engraved for intaglio printmaking, small ridges of cut-away metal called 'burrs' will be left either side of each linear incision. This scraper has a triangular blade, and is designed to be used during intaglio printmaking processes, to scrape away burrs thrown up during the engraving process without damaging the plate. Its sharp face can also be used to scrape and lower the plate surface.It has a wooden handle, and is made of high carbon steel.

This double-ended scribe can be used in etching or drypoint processes. It has a cork handle for comfort during use.If this tool is used to add detail or tone directly to the metal plate (a technique known as 'drypoint'), it will inscribe a line with a slight burr, which will print a blurred, indistinct line. This effect can be controlled by manipulating the angle at which the point meets the plate.This tool is made of high-carbon steel, and is designed to be resharpened periodically.

E.C. Lyons Roulettes are designed to be used in intaglio printmaking processes. When the rotating drum at the head of the tool is pushed over the plate, it stipples the surface with dots or lines. These small impressions will hold ink and appear darker in the finished print.The density of lines or dots an engraving roulette will produce is expressed in its DPI rating. A higher DPI indicates the lines or dots made by a roulette as it passes over the face of the plate are closer together. This is a fine gauge line roulette of 100 DPI.

E.C. Lyons Roulettes are made in the US, and are recognised across the world as the finest roulettes available. Designed to be used in intaglio printmaking processes the rotating drum at the head of the tool will stipple the plate surface with dots or lines. These small impressions will hold ink and appear darker in the finished print. They can be used for mark making in their own right or for making corrections to areas of tone on the plate.

Drypoint Junior Etching Tools are great for those new to engraving. These lightweight tools are made of carbon and alloy steel and are mounted on handles made of the finest beechwood. Practical, beautiful and economical, these tools provide the best possible start to etching. They come in a range of sizes for producing a variety of different effects.

Lawrence Citric Acid is used to create an effective etchant for copper and brass. Citric acid will improve the etching potential of ferric as well as dissolving the sediment, enhancing its performance and producing a precise etch. The advantage of using it over straight ferric is that it can be used in flat trays with the plate face up, as well as in vertical tanks.

Ensure appropriate protective clothing is worn to avoid inhalation and contact with skin and eyes.

Lawrence Carborundum Grit is available in grades from fine to coarse, with 60 being the coarsest and 220 the finest. Used for the creation of texture and deep areas of tone on collagraph plates of all types. Can be attached with waterproof PVA, mixed into acrylic mediums to paint onto the plate directly, or combined with other materials on the plate.

Lawrence Carborundum Grit is available in grades from fine to coarse, with 60 being the coarsest and 220 the finest. Used for the creation of texture and deep areas of tone on collagraph plates of all types. Can be attached with waterproof PVA, mixed into acrylic mediums to paint onto the plate directly, or combined with other materials on the plate.

Rhind's Etching Balls are the traditional form of ground that can be applied directly to a warmed plate and spread with a roller or dabber. This hard ball ground can be smoked to darken, making it easier to see your drawing, and takes fine lines and cross-hatching without chipping or foul biting.

Drypoint Junior Etching Tools are great for those new to engraving. These lightweight tools are made of carbon and alloy steel and are mounted on handles made of the finest beechwood. Practical, beautiful and economical, these tools provide the best possible start to etching. They come in a range of sizes for producing a variety of different effects.

E.C. Lyons Roulettes are made in the US, and are recognised across the world as the finest roulettes available. Designed to be used in intaglio printmaking processes the rotating drum at the head of the tool will stipple the plate surface with dots or lines. These small impressions will hold ink and appear darker in the finished print. They can be used for mark making in their own right or for making corrections to areas of tone on the plate.

A durable plastic square spatula for inking plates. This spatula strengthened central area for grip.

One pair of these sturdy Fome screw clamps will firmly secure your Fome press to a table or bench. Designed to fit Fome School Etching Presses, the clamps have a deep profile for added strength and a notch that keeps the side panel of the press from moving when clamped down.

Only one side only of the press needs to be clamped in order to secure it fully for printing.

This combination tool has a twisted shank of high carbon tool steel, and is tipped with a different tool at each end: a burnisher and a needle point scribe.Burnishers are used to flatten a section of a plate in order to remove engraved or etched patterns and lines. This 'erases' the marks on this area. Do not use the end of the tool; use the 'belly' of the tool, just below the tip.The other end of the tool has a needle point scribe. If this tool is used to add detail or tone directly to the metal plate (a technique known as 'drypoint'), it will inscribe a line with a slight burr, which will print a blurred, indistinct line. This effect can be controlled by manipulating the angle at which the point meets the plate. This end of the tool is designed to be resharpened periodically.This tool is manufactured by EC Lyons.

Wood engravings are a form of relief printmaking - areas of wood are cut away from the block to leave the final image.

Made of solid lemonwood, the properties of the wood allow for faster cutting which makes it ideal for those who are working to a deadline. It will still hold a large amount of detail. These blocks are type high and can be used alongside type in a printing press.

Generally lemonwood is extremely reliable, consistent and ultra smooth. Engraving on endgrain wood will allow for ultra fine precision as there will be no interference from the wood grain whatsoever.

Note: Endgrain wood is highly susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity and heat can cause the blocks to crack. It is recommended to store woodblocks on their edge (like books on a shelf) with space in between and never flat. Ideally, engraving blocks are kept at a constant, moderate temperature.

E C Lyons mini scraper is made with high carbon tool steel. It has a solid triangular blade with three very sharp edges. Slice off or scrape away the plate surface for image making and corrections. Ideally suited to the most delicate work.

This Professional Double Rubber Etching Tool has a thick rubber coating for extra comfort and cushioning when cutting. The two tips are made of hard steel and have a hand polished finish.

The handles of these tools are made of mango wood and each handle has a 12mm diameter. The ends are made of steel which has been polished hand. The etching tools in this set come in a wooden box with a chamois for cleaning. Contents Include: 4 x Roulette Tools 1 x R205 Tool 1 x R210 Tool 1 x LINE-R2F Tool 1 x LINE-R2G Tool 1 x Wooden Box 1 x Chamois

Drypoint Junior Etching Tools are great for those new to engraving. These lightweight tools are made of carbon and alloy steel and are mounted on handles made of the finest beechwood. Practical, beautiful and economical, these tools provide the best possible start to etching. They come in a range of sizes for producing a variety of different effects.

Twelve precision ground Scraper Cutters, manufactured from high carbon steel. Ideal for use in engraving, scratching and scraping.
Scraperboard is used by illustrators and professional artists around the world. Its super-smooth surface lets you work in extremely fine detail.
In the Scraperboard process a sharp tool is used to engrave a line through the surface ink to expose the black or white tone beneath.

Pfeil Sharpenin Stones are the ideal tools to sharpen your lino cutting equipment and, in turn, to achieve excellent quality cut marks.

The handles of these tools are made of mango wood and each handle has a 12mm diameter. The tips are made of steel which has been polished hand. The etching tools in this set come in a wooden box with a chamois for cleaning. Contents Include: 4 x Dry Point Etching Tools 1 x 2mm Tool 1 x 3mm Tool 1 x 5mm Tool 1 x Extra Long Tool 1 x Chamois 1 x Wooden Box

This Junior Double Rubber Etching Tool has a thick rubber coating for extra comfort and cushioning when cutting. The two tips are made of hard steel and have a hand polished finish.