About Conrad Machine Press

Conrad Machine Company (Conrad Press) is the oldest manufacturer of fine art etching, lithography, and relief printmaking presses in North America. With a rich history dating back to 1945, we have designed and built printmaking presses of all sizes and types for artists, universities, and printmakers around the world.

Our fourth generation, family owned business still upholds the core values and mission that our original founders set over 80 years ago:

Design, innovate, and build the finest quality presses and supplies that enable printmakers to explore and develop their artwork and change the world.

This is our story.

After returning from service in WWII, brothers Earl and Robert Conrad, growing weary of big industry, decided to start their own machine shop.

With little more than ideals and the American dream, they turned to their father, Hveding Conrad, a first generation immigrant from Norway, to help them get their new company off the ground.

In a small out-building on the family farm, the Conrad brothers started acquiring machinery and building their shop.

Robert Conrad

Robert Conrad, an expert machinist and pattern maker by trade, apprenticed and worked in machine shops for years before being drafted into the European Theater during WWII.

Robert’s keen sense of machining and manufacturing processes was a cornerstone in developing the machine shop as well as the manufacturing capabilities of the upstart company.

Robert’s dedication to high precision machining and expert-level craftsmanship has given multiple generations of printmakers the best presses in the world to research, experiment, and produce their artwork on.

Earl Conrad

Earl Conrad, a mechanical engineer by trade, graduated from the prestigious University of Chicago Engineering School, before enlisting in the Navy and serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

Earl’s engineering background and meticulous nature was foundational in the research and design of early North American printmaking presses.

Earl not only designed the full line of Conrad printmaking presses, but he also designed the Dickerson DC2 combination press and the full line of presses distributed by Graphic Chemical & Ink (including the CP4 etching press, Sturges press, & Printmaker’s Machine presses).

Earl Conrad’s original printmaking press designs and innovations, many of which are still in production today, serve as inspiration to modern press designs of all manufacturers.

The original Conrad Machine Press factory was built in a makeshift farm building on the family farm in Lombard, IL as a general machine shop producing a proprietary line of boring mills and offering machining and engineering services to the greater Chicago area.

Being in close proximity to Graphic Chemical & Ink (Villa Park, IL), Earl and Robert were approached to manufacture a line of presses for Graphic Chemical.

Earl agreed to manufacture the presses under one condition: that he could re-engineer the flawed designs that Graphic brought to him. Graphic agreed and Earl designed the CP4, CP5, CP8, Sturges, & Printmakers’ Machine etching and lithography presses.

Fun fact: the “CP” in the CP4 references “Conrad Press”.

Later, Conrad was approached by an artist with a unique idea to build a press that could easily be converted from an intaglio press to a lithography press. That artist was Ted Dickerson. Without a finalized design for the press, Dickerson asked Conrad to build it for him.

Earl gave Ted the same offer that he gave Graphic years before: he would build the press only if he could re engineer the flawed prototype design. Dickerson agreed, so Earl redesigned the Dickerson Combination press and readied it for manufacturing. Conrad Machine was the sole producer of Dickerson (DC2) Combination Presses since its inception.

Once the monumental task of building the new Press Factory and moving all of the machinery from Illinois to Michigan was complete, production continued.

Here is a glimpse of the new assembly floor producing floor model etching and lithography presses in 1974.

Tom Conrad

Tom Conrad, a machinist by trade, apprenticed under Earl, Robert, and several other tradesmen to become a master machinist.

Growing up in the printmaking press manufacturing company, Tom developed unique insights into the printmaking community. His strong belief in giving printmakers the option to customize their press for their specific needs was revolutionary. No company, past or present, offered as many options as Conrad Press.

With decades of machining and design experience and his astute understanding of the printing process and needs of the printmaker, Tom was also instrumental in the design and production of a number of press lines and styles.

He innovated the first truly professional tabletop etching press (the Conrad E-12) as well as the first press dedicated to relief and monotype printmaking processes (the Conrad Monotype press). Both are still being produced today and have spawned several copies in the industry.

Tom also oversaw the growth of the company including acquisitions of several other printmaking press manufacturers.

Press Line Expansions

Tom led the company into new press lines and designs creating not only the first monotype press but also innovations in floor model lithography and etching presses.

Conrad Machine developed from a company with a single line of presses to one producing the largest variety of printmaking presses of any company past or present. Our lines include etching, lithography, relief, monotype, combination, tabletop, and floor model printmaking presses.

The Conrad Press selection and customization is second to none allowing you can get a press that perfectly fits your needs.

American French Tool, Rembrandt, & Charles Brand™ Press Acquisitions

The reputation of excellence and longevity of Conrad Machine has attracted not only printmakers, but also other press companies over the years. As many founders age, they look for successors–many look to Conrad.

In the late 1990s, Conrad Machine was approached by André Beaudoin of American French Tool to acquire his company.

Thus, in 1999, Conrad Machine acquired the American French Tool Press Company and began manufacturing AFT printmaking presses with several updates and improvements based on the original designs.

Years later, John Graves of the Rembrandt Press Company approached Conrad about a potential acquisition. Today, the Rembrandt press line is alive and well.

Conrad Machine also acquired Charles Brand™ to continue the legacy of these legendary presses and support the printmakers who love them.

Fourth generation owners, Shaun and Jordan Conrad, have expanded the company from focusing specifically on producing printmaking presses to becoming The Printmaking Company™ creating innovative printmaking accessories, offering high quality studio supplies, and focusing on printmakers’ needs.

Shaun and Jordan couple their skills and passion as printmakers with their knowledge and expertise of press design and manufacturing to craft products and experiences designed with printmakers in mind.

Today, Conrad Machine (Conrad Press) is widely recognized as the world’s leading printmaking press manufacturer and supplier of printmaking products, producing the finest etching, lithography, combo, and monotype presses along with printmaking supplies and accessories.

We believe in printmakers and want to help them change the world.