Roller Options - Rollaco Presses

Roller options are a key way to create your bespoke etching press. Standard Presses are fitted with steel rollers. For a press kept in a damp location a good option would be Stainless Steel rollers . A damp location could be outhouses, garages and garden studios.The stainless steel rollers are corrosion free and need little care whereas the steel rollers in that environment need care. Steel rollers in a heated environment such as a house, school, workshop are ok. A brown bloom may appear on steel rollers occasionally. The Steel rollers have a high polish and corrosion appears as a bloom. Use a metal polish to remove this . When using the press always try to keep damp paper away from the rollers , you can use newsprint or tissue to keep blankets dry. Keep rollers clean and remove any ink using Turps or Methalayted Spirit.

Constuction

Constructed using a thick wall seamless tube. Blanks made to suit the roller ends and the construction then has an oversized shaft fitted. This runs throughout the roller. With the roller assembly welded. The assembly is now ready for machining using a lathe . Stainless steel rollers have to welded using a special rod. The oversized shaft allows for welding distortion, because it is larger it can be machined accurately. Press rollers are carefully manufactured and accuracy is always paramount because we care. The stainless steel option represents good value in today’s market.

Price grid for Stainless Steel rollers

Model	50cm	45cm	40cm	35cm	30cm
Boxer	£375	£335	——–	——–	——–
Kudos	——–	£300	£230	——–	——–
Gem	——–	£300	£230		——–
Pequeno	——–	——–	——–	——–	£180
Piccolo	——–	——–	——–	——–	£180

Diameters for Stainless Steel Roller Options

Boxer Press
Top Roller Diameter 114mm
Bottom Roller Diameter 100mm

Kudos & Gem Press
Top Roller Diameter 100mm
Bottom Roller Diameter 88mm

Pequeno & Piccolo Press
Top Roller Diameter 88mm
Bottom Roller Diameter 74mm

Example of a Rollaco Press top roller

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.

Dave Jukes

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!

Rachel Faulkner

2023-11-02

I bought a Kudos press earlier this year and am very happy with it. The ordering process itself was great - very straightforward with great communication. The Kudos is on casters which makes it really simple to move around and is maintenance free. I really like how easy it is to alter the pressure for different kinds of printing too. The press is beautiful and makes fabulous prints - I can't wait to use it more next year. Thank you!