platen press

printing

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Last updated

July 2, 2026

Quick Summary

A platen press is a type of printing press where a flat surface holding paper is pressed against a flat, inked printing plate. This action, often described as a jawlike motion, allows for the transfer of ink to the paper.

Platen presses are typically small and are often referred to as job presses. They operate by pressing the paper against the typeform, which is inked by rollers before the paper is applied. These presses can achieve speeds of up to 5,000 impressions per hour.123

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printing
Platen presses
Presses that operate plane to plane are called platen presses. A vertical clamping contrivance clamps the bed, which carries the form into which the composed type is locked, and the platen, which carries the sheet of paper while it is being printed. When…
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Presses that operate plane to plane are called platen presses. A vertical clamping contrivance clamps the bed, which carries the form into which the composed type is locked, and the platen, which carries the sheet of paper while it is being printed. When…
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letterpress printing
…was originally carried out on platen presses, in which the paper is pressed against the flat, inked form by a flat platen; later, the platen was replaced by a roller in the flat-bed cylinder press; still later, the printing form was wrapped around one cylinder and the paper was passed…
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…was originally carried out on platen presses, in which the paper is pressed against the flat, inked form by a flat platen; later, the platen was replaced by a roller in the flat-bed cylinder press; still later, the printing form was wrapped around one cylinder and the paper was passed…
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flatbed press
In the platen press, a flat surface bearing the paper is pressed against the flat, inked printing plate; the two surfaces come together and part with a jawlike motion. Most small hand presses are platen presses. Both cylinder and platen types of flatbed presses operate at speeds…
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In the platen press, a flat surface bearing the paper is pressed against the flat, inked printing plate; the two surfaces come together and part with a jawlike motion. Most small hand presses are platen presses. Both cylinder and platen types of flatbed presses operate at speeds…
Read More