High-Quality Handmade Etching Presses

Hand made Etching Presses in the UK since 1979 – Great presses by Design!

High-Quality Handmade Etching Presses and the best value in the UK. I believe this to be true , this range of presses has been on the UK market for over 40 years without a single failure. They have one thing which is lacking in most other presses sold in the UK today …… ENGINEERING! I am an Engineer. I don’t teach Printmaking. I design and build presses to last. This is called Over Engineering ,its the reason I believe they are the best value Etching presses on the UK market. My range of presses, look good, retain value and give professional results guaranteed. For an independent view look at our google reviews. Google reviews are by real customers.

High-Quality Handmade Etching Presses Options available

Below are some of the options for our high quality handmade Etching Presses, as well as giving information to help you choose . You will find many different models and options to assist this. From studio models to bench top models through to portables. Bed size options, from 30cm wide for the Pequeno and Piccolo presses through to 50cm wide Boxer press . we make a 58cm Super Boxer on occasion. We have press colour options which are Deep Green or Dark Blue . There are handle options from the simple honest Crank Handle. Spoked Star Wheels. Rim wheels Steel powder coated and Stainless . These options along with quality presses make this range of presses the best value printing presses on the UK Market Other Etching press options available

Stands with and without castors. Shelf rails can be fitted , utilising the space for storage . Castors fitted on the stands are Swivel and Brake type. They are 100mm diameter none marking grey rubber. A shelf can also be fitted into the base of the stand. Roller options, standard Steel rollers or for damp environments Stainless Steel. On occasions I offer an underslung Drying Rack. it consists of 4 tier each tier with an area 45cm x 60cm .We try to accomodate all artists and strive to produce the best printing presses on the UK market.

John Pears -Rollaco Presses

Review link for customers

https://g.page/r/CUexFi-ExnuEEB0/review

Anna Hutton

2024-06-25

John Pears thank you for my new Kudos 40cm press and thank you for such a cheerful and helpful delivery and set-up. It is a beautiful thing in itself and simple and solid and smooth to use. I look forward to all the time I have ahead with it in my studio.

Virginia Whittle

2024-04-24

Lovely Piccalo Press , prints as good as any press that you find out there, including the old cast iron half a ton "Rochat" I have to admit this supprised me, it es easy to set up, well made Any strong Adult who works out could use this as a portable press, but bear in mind your own body limitations, as it weighs 35kg. The bed comes off and the spokes for easier storage or carry. I recommend you buy a trolley if you plan taking it far. I have only printed etching plates so cannot comment on how it prints lino, or colleograph. Very satisfying experience meeting John and over all pleased with the Piccalo Press.

DJ J

2024-04-07

Bought a reconditioned Classic Press. The condition and quality of the engineering is outstanding. John came to install the press and explained the process to us. We are now in production and the ease and quality of the printing makes us happy customers. If you are looking for the best quality press then there is no need to look further. There are none better in our opinion and we looked around for ages.

Catriona Shaddick

2024-02-29

I love my Rollaco Boxer. I wanted a good modern etching press, preferably British, for intaglio and relief, so I phoned John and I was impressed and encouraged by his huge enthusiasm and knowledge. I am really delighted with my beautiful press - so easy and fun and gives my printing new confidence and energy I am very glad I made the decision and can definitely recommend Rollaco.

Louise Gorst

2024-02-27

After many years sharing a community studio press I finally bought my own Rollaco Kudos press. It is fantastic, very easy to adjust and smooth to run. It's a beautiful, sturdy piece of equipment, and it was lovely to buy it from John who makes and delivers them himself. I was used to the community Rollaco press, which is many years old, but still works perfectly so I didn't even look around at other brands, but I would highly recommend Rollaco. LG, Lewes

Penny Hunt

2024-02-27

Love my Rollaco Gem press. It's beautifully smooth and a pleasure to use. I went up to the workshop to collect it out of hours as I was desperate with a deadline looming and John went out of his way to be there for me. Very happy printmaker!

Emma Molony

2024-02-26

My portable rollaco press bought over 15 years ago still works beautifully and I print with hundreds of children each year, transporting the press all over the South West. We've recently purchased another and I couldn't recommend John Pears and Rollaco highly enough. They are absolutely brilliant presses.

lucie graham-smith

2024-02-15

I wanted to buy a press that could print both intaglio and relief prints. After many months research, I came across Rollaco Presses and gave them a call to discuss my requirements. I spoke to John, who is a one man band - Not only does he design, make, and install the presses, he is also a fountain of press knowledge and a genuinely lovely man 😊 I decided on the boxer press as I wanted to be able to make larger prints, my work ranges from 5cm x 5cm to A3 so versatility is crucial. However, I've never used a geared press before so this feature wasn't a deciding factor. The price was also very competitive especially for a handmade press. John managed to deliver the press well before his initial timeframe, and we spent a very enjoyable afternoon chatting away while he constructed the press in my studio. I am so delighted with my Boxer, not only does it print like a dream, it truly is a thing of great beauty. The press moves from lino prints through to copper plate etchings with ease. I've been printing since December and changing the pressure is a doddle. It's hard to explain but you just get a FEEL for it. The press is super sturdy but elegant, the craftsmanship is just superb. It's only now that I appreciate the value of having a geared press. You can literally fly through editioning without breaking into a sweat and doing your back in! Everyone who comes into my studio/gallery admires the press. I even incorporated the wheel as part of my shop logo design ❤️ I am hoping to run some workshops during the summer, and know that the press will not let me down.

She M

2024-02-14

I purchased GEM press, from Rollaco Presses in December, the press is the best investment I've made in years (my cats are amazed by it as well ;) I made a mistake of buying cheap press from internet for 200£, which was the dumbest thing :), of course it didn't work! I should have do my proper research before I spent any money (and stupidly wanted to save money, which of course i lost, the cheap crap is no usable if you are an artist, it went to the bin). On top of the brilliant press, John, who's an engineer, and designing, and building the presses, was very helpful, very patient with me and my questions, replied on every e-mail and message, John personally came all the way to bring and install the press at my home. Such an amazing person, so lovely to meet! Brilliant mind :) the press he built will definitely outlive me, it's solid press, don't make mistakes I made and think twice before buying something cheap, it's not wort it! I'd highly recommend contacting John Pears, and invest in one of his presses! To add to the review, I purchased refurbished press, there is no sign it was ever used before me! It is in perfect condition and works "like a nife through butter" ! :) Thank you John! Magda Trojanowska

Alex Cunningham

2024-01-10

I needed a press that was light enough to lug up three flights of stairs to my attic work space, and rigid enough to print etching plates with sizes up to 150 mm x 225 mm. John's smallest press, the Piccolo 25, fits the bill admirably. It is a fine piece of functional design and precision construction. Dealing with John was a pleasure, and I have no hesitation in recommending Rollaco to anyone considering the purchase of a new press. Longer term review: after over two years of use, the press remains a pleasure to use - solid as ever, with no need for maintenance or adjustments. Thanks again John!