“I wanted to write and tell you how much use and execellent service I got out of my combination press. I have printed many editions for such publishers as Associated American Artists, The Original Print Collectors Group, and New York Graphic Society, etc. totaling more than 10,000 prints. The press, with minimum care and oiling, performed perfectly. Over the twenty [plus] years that I used it, I had continuing good results. Besides being very dependable, I found it to be very flexible, allowing me to do intaglio plates, lithographs, and monotypes. I have done deep engravings, aquatints, and mezzotints and combinations and variations of these techniques.”
– Hank Laventhol
BFA, Yale
Academia de Belle Arte
Take a closer look.
The Conrad Combination Press is the only true combo press designed to print both intaglio and lithography on a single press. Developed by Conrad more than 60 years ago, it remains the industry standard for artists, universities, and professional studios that need maximum versatility without sacrificing print quality.
The Conrad Combo Press can convert from an intaglio press to a lithography press in only 3 minutes with no special tools. Simply remove the upper roll assembly and install the scraper bar assembly, and you’re ready to print lithographs. No other press offers this level of flexibility with such a fast and straightforward conversion.
Explore all the features of the Conrad Combo Press and discover why generations of printmakers have trusted it as the ultimate all-in-one printmaking press.
Combo Press Drive
Steer the Ship.
The Conrad Combination Press is available with several drive options, allowing artists and institutions to choose the system that best matches their workflow, printing style, and production needs. Whether you prefer a traditional manual drive or a fully powered system, each option is designed to provide smooth, controlled printing for both intaglio and lithography.
Conrad Drive Options
Chain Drive with Spoked Wheel (Standard)
The standard drive option features a heavy-duty chain drive paired with a large open spoked wheel. This proven design provides excellent leverage and smooth operation while keeping the press simple, reliable, and easy to maintain.
The open wheel allows the operator to pull downward on the spokes throughout the printing cycle, creating a more natural motion than a traditional hand crank. It also provides excellent access to the press bed, making setup and operation easier during long print sessions.
Chain Drive with Enclose Captain’s Wheel
For artists who prefer a more ergonomic driving experience, the Combination Press can be equipped with an enclosed captain’s wheel. The circular design allows multiple hand positions while printing, helping reduce fatigue during extended printing sessions.
The captain’s wheel provides excellent control and smooth operation while using the press. It is a popular choice for universities, professional studios, and artists who regularly produce larger editions.
Conrad Planetary Geared Reduction Drive (Deluxe)
For the ultimate printing experience, the Combination Press is available with Conrad’s legendary planetary geared reduction drive. Originally developed by Conrad in the 1950s, this system multiplies torque while maintaining smooth, controlled operation.
The planetary drive makes it significantly easier to print under heavy pressure, especially when working with large intaglio plates. Instead of fighting for pressure, the geared reduction drive allows the operator to apply heavy pressures smoothly and comfortably while maintaining precise control. It is widely regarded as the finest manual drive system available for professional printmaking presses.
Motorized Combo Press Drive
For institutions, professional studios, and artists producing large editions, Conrad also offers a fully motorized drive system. The motorized option eliminates manual cranking altogether, allowing the press to move at a consistent speed with minimal operator effort.
This option is especially valuable for large-format printing, repetitive production work, and commercial print shops where ease of use is important. The motorized drive delivers smooth, even operation while reducing physical strain, making long printing sessions more efficient and comfortable.
No matter which drive option you choose, every Conrad Combination Press is built to provide the smooth operation, reliability, and professional-quality performance that artists have trusted for generations.
Pressure System
Historically Versatile.
One of the most unique features of the Conrad Combination Press is its innovative pressure system. Like traditional old-world lithography presses, the Combination Press generates pressure from underneath the bed using a precision cam system. This design has been refined by Conrad over decades and is one of the key reasons the press performs so well in both intaglio and lithography applications.
Pressure Comes from Underneath
The heart of the system is a set of heavy-duty, hardened cams located beneath the press bed. As the press is engaged, these cams lift the bed upward into the roll or scraper bar assembly. By creating pressure from underneath, the system provides exceptional rigidity and even pressure across the printing surface.
This design also eliminates many of the alignment and adjustment issues commonly found in traditional pressure systems, resulting in smoother operation and more consistent prints.
Bespoke Press Bearings & Cams
Riding on these cams are Conrad’s bespoke press bearings, designed specifically for the unique demands of printmaking. These bearings allow the pressure system to move smoothly and efficiently while handling the substantial forces generated during printing.
Because the bearings are engineered specifically for this application, they maintain precise alignment and provide long-lasting reliability even in busy educational and professional studio environments.
Closing Lever. Oh, so Smooth.
Engaging the pressure system couldn’t be easier. A large closing lever activates the cams, raising the bed into position and applying printing pressure. The lever provides excellent mechanical advantage, allowing the operator to engage and disengage the press quickly and easily.
This simple operation is especially valuable when switching between processes, setting up different plate thicknesses, or converting the press between intaglio and lithography modes.
Designed for Versatility & Precision.
The combination of cam-generated pressure, custom bearings, and simple lever operation creates a system that is both powerful and easy to use.
Whether printing an intaglio plate under heavy pressure or running a lithographic stone with a scraper bar, the Conrad Combination Press delivers smooth operation, precise control, and the consistent results professional printmakers expect.
Combination Intaglio / Lithography Design
Innovation, meet Function.
The Conrad Combination Press is unlike any other printmaking press available today. Designed and refined over more than 60 years, it is the only true combination press capable of functioning as both a professional intaglio press and a professional lithography press. Its innovative design allows artists, schools, and studios to perform multiple printmaking processes on a single machine while maintaining the quality and performance of dedicated presses.
Combo Press Intaglio Configuration
In its intaglio configuration, the Combination Press operates as a full professional etching press. The heavy-duty upper roll assembly is installed above the bed, allowing the press to print intaglio, etching, engraving, drypoint, collagraph, monotype, and relief prints with smooth, even pressure.
Unlike compromise designs that attempt to do multiple jobs poorly, the Conrad Combination Press performs exactly like a dedicated etching press. The roll assembly provides the controlled pressure required for detailed intaglio printing while maintaining the durability and reliability expected from a professional studio press.
Combination Press Intaglio to Litho Conversion
What truly makes the Combination Press unique is how quickly it can be converted between printing methods. In approximately three minutes, the upper roll assembly can be removed and replaced with the lithography scraper bar assembly.
The process is simple and straightforward. No complicated adjustments, specialized tools, or lengthy setup procedures are required. This allows artists and instructors to move from intaglio printing to lithography quickly, maximizing studio efficiency and eliminating the need for multiple large presses.
For universities, workshops, and shared studios, this flexibility saves valuable floor space while dramatically expanding the types of printmaking that can be taught and produced.
Combo Press Litho Configuration
Once converted, the Combination Press becomes a fully functional lithography press. The scraper bar assembly replaces the upper roll, allowing the press to print from traditional lithography stones, aluminum plates, and other lithographic surfaces.
The same heavy-duty frame, precision drive system, and innovative pressure mechanism that make the press an exceptional etching press also contribute to its lithographic performance. The result is smooth operation, precise pressure control, and high-quality lithographic prints that rival those produced on dedicated lithography presses.
Two Professional Presses in One Machine
The Conrad Combination Press is not a compromise between two printing methods—it is a true professional solution for both. By allowing artists to switch between intaglio and lithography in minutes, it provides unmatched versatility, exceptional space efficiency, and the professional-quality results that have made it a favorite of universities, print shops, and professional artists around the world for generations.
Press Frame
Huge. Yet portable.
One of the most impressive features of the Conrad Combination Press is that it offers a large professional printing area while still being practical to move and install.
Many presses with comparable printing capacity are extremely difficult to relocate. They often require wall removal, specialized rigging, or major building modifications just to get them into a studio. The Conrad Combination Press was designed differently.
The press can be quickly disassembled into three major components, allowing it to pass through a standard-sized doorway with ease. This makes installation dramatically simpler in universities, community studios, print shops, and private workspaces where access can be limited.
Center Frame
The heart of the press is the main center frame, which houses the rolls, pressure system, drive mechanism, and all of the critical printing components. This section is the backbone of the machine and is responsible for delivering the precise pressure and smooth operation that Conrad presses are known for.
Because all of the important printing components are contained within this central section, the press maintains excellent rigidity and alignment while remaining easier to transport than traditional one-piece presses.
Bed Outriggers (Wings)
Attached to either side of the center frame are two outrigger wings. These bolt directly to the main frame and provide the support needed for the press bed as it travels through the machine.
The wings act as precision guides, keeping the bed level and properly aligned before and after it passes through the printing area. They provide the large working surface required for professional printmaking while remaining separate components that can be easily removed when the press needs to be moved.
Press Bed Plates
Precisely Flat. Exceptionally Consistent.
Composite Bed
Durability meets functionality.
A flat, light-weight, & durable material ideal for printing.
Aluminum Bed
Light weight for heavy pressure.
Get the advantages of a metal bed while reducing the weight.
Press Rolls
Perfect Size. Perfect Pressure.
One of the smartest design features of the Conrad Combination Press is its roll sizing. The rolls are engineered to provide the ideal balance between printing performance, structural rigidity, and portability.
Large enough to generate professional printing pressure, yet compact enough to keep the press practical to move and install, these rolls are a major reason the Combination Press has been trusted by artists and institutions for decades.
Conrad C-25 Upper Roll
The Combination Press uses a 4.5-inch diameter tubular steel upper roll, providing the perfect balance of strength and weight.
The structural tubing construction keeps the roll extremely rigid while reducing unnecessary weight, making it easier to handle when converting the press between intaglio and lithography configurations.
The result is a roll that delivers professional-quality pressure while contributing to the portability that makes the Combination Press unique.
Conrad C-25 Lower Roll
The 4.5-inch diameter solid steel lower roll serves as the foundation of the printing system. Its solid construction provides exceptional rigidity and resistance to deflection under load.
Because the lower roll supports the bed and absorbs tremendous printing forces, the solid steel design helps maintain consistent pressure across the entire printing surface. This contributes to cleaner prints, better ink transfer, and reliable performance in both intaglio and lithography applications.
Conrad C-25 Scraper Bar Carrier
The scraper bar carrier can handle a 27″ wide scraper bar allowing the press to print a wide variety of lithographic projects, from small classroom demonstrations to large professional editions.
Whether you’re printing from lithography stones or metal plates, the generous width provides the flexibility needed for serious studio work.
Micro-Gauge Dials
Precise Pressure. Naturally.
One of the most popular upgrades available for the Conrad Combination Press is the precision micrometer gauge system. When you’re switching between intaglio, relief, monotype, and lithography, being able to return to exact settings can save a tremendous amount of time and frustration.
Instead of relying on guesswork or trying to remember where the pressure was set, micrometers give you a precise reference point. Once you find the perfect setting for a particular plate, paper, or printing process, you can return to that exact position whenever you need it.
The Conrad micrometer gauge is calibrated in .005-inch increments, allowing incredibly fine adjustments. Each mark represents approximately the thickness of a human hair, making it possible to make very small changes with confidence and accuracy.
This level of precision becomes especially valuable when edition printing. If you need to stop a project and return to it later, the micrometers allow you to quickly restore the same settings and maintain consistency from the first print to the last.
Micrometers also make it easier to keep both sides of the press perfectly balanced. Because each side can be adjusted and measured precisely, you can maintain even pressure across the full width of the bed, helping to produce cleaner, more consistent prints.
Conrad C-25 without Micrometer Gauges
Conrad Press is the only company that gives artists the option to configure their presses with or without micrometer gauges.
Some artists prefer not to have gauges because they only print one size/thickness of plate and rarely need to change the pressure settings. Also, setting the pressure by feel without gauges gives the printmaker a more connected and intimidate experience with their press during the printing process. Thus, we give artists the option to customize their presses for their printing needs.
Non-micro gauge pressure screws are equipped with a locking nut, so printmakers can set the pressure and lock it in place for future printing.
Pressure Locking Nut
Secure Your Pressure.
The Conrad Combination Press features pressure locking nuts that secure your pressure settings once they have been adjusted.
After dialing in the perfect pressure, simply tighten the locking nuts to prevent unwanted movement during printing. This helps maintain consistent pressure throughout an edition and makes it easy to return to proven settings later.
It’s a simple feature that improves accuracy, consistency, and confidence every time you print.
Conrad C-25 for the Classroom
Conrad. Built for Bright Ideas.
The Conrad C-25 combo press is built for printmakers who want true versatility in one machine. Instead of needing separate presses, the C-25 is designed to handle both intaglio and lithography, giving you the flexibility to switch between techniques without changing your setup.
It combines the high pressure needed for intaglio with the smooth, even rolling action required for litho, all in one professional-grade press. That means you can move from etching plates to litho stones (or plates) with confidence, knowing the press is built to handle both processes properly.
Even with that versatility, the C-25 doesn’t compromise on performance. It’s built with the same heavy-duty construction, smooth operation, and precise pressure control you’d expect from a dedicated studio press. Whether you’re printing detailed etchings or running lithography, it delivers consistent, high-quality results.
Who is the Conrad C-25 For?
Educators and Students
The C-25 is ideal for classrooms where multiple printmaking techniques are being taught. Instead of needing separate presses for intaglio and lithography, students can learn both processes on one machine. It simplifies instruction while still delivering professional results.
Art Institutions, Co-Ops, & Print Shops
In shared studio environments, the C-25 offers incredible flexibility. It saves space while expanding capabilities, allowing multiple artists to work across different printmaking methods without needing separate equipment.
Professional Printmakers
For professionals, the C-25 is a powerful, space-efficient solution. It allows you to move between intaglio and litho without interruption, making it ideal for studios that want versatility without sacrificing performance.
Experienced Artists & New Printmakers
Whether you’re exploring different techniques or already working across multiple processes, the C-25 makes it easy to do both. Beginners benefit from its simplicity, while experienced artists appreciate the ability to switch methods on a single, reliable press.
Conrad C-25 Printing Capabilities
Limitless combinations.
Conrad C-25. Highly versatile.
The Conrad C-25 is the perfect press to print almost any style of printmaking. From heavy pressure etchings to stone lithography, the C-25 can do it all.
The Conrad C-25 Combo Press can easily print the following media:
- Monotypes
- Wood blocks
- Linocuts (mounted & unmounted)
- Type high blocks
- Letterpress
- Drypoints
- Engravings
- Intaglio/Etchings (copper, zinc, etc.)
- Photogravure/Photopolymer
- Collagraphs
- Plate lithography
- Stone lithography
Press Warranty
Built to Last a Lifetime.
All Conrad Machine Co. Presses come with the printmaking industry’s best 25-Year Warranty. At Conrad Machine Co., we believe in our products and workmanship, so much so, that we will repair or replace any defects in materials or workmanship for the first 25 years of the life of your printmaking press.
Press Specs.
| Overall Press Dimensions: | 35” x 65” x 28” |
| Press Frame Dimensions: | 35″ x 65″ |
| Maximum Print Area Size: | 27″ x 48″ |
| Bed Height of Frame (Working Height): | 9″ |
| Bed Height (Working Height) on Stand/Workbench: | 34″ |
| Stand/Workbench Height: | 25″ |
| Open Spoked Wheel: | 23″ Spokes (Total of 30″ Diameter Open Wheel) |
| Enclosed Star Wheel (Captain’s Wheel): | 48” Diameter |
| Standard Upper Roll: | 4.5” Diameter Tubular Steel |
| Standard Lower Roll: | 4.5” Diameter Solid Steel |
| Composite Bed Dimensions: | 27” x 48” x 3/4” |
| Aluminum Bed Dimensions: | 27” x 48” x 3/4” |
| Press Weights: | C-25 with Composite bed: 518 lbs. C-25 with Aluminum bed: lbs. |
Press Accessories
C-25 Press Essentials.
With the Conrad C-25 combo press, versatility doesn’t stop at the press itself—it extends to how your entire setup works together. Since the C-25 is designed to handle both intaglio and lithography, having the right tools in place helps you get the most out of both processes from day one.
Different techniques require different materials, and that’s where the right setup really matters. Felt blankets and tarlatan are essential for intaglio work, helping distribute pressure and clean plates properly. On the lithography side, quality inking rollers and stone levigators play a huge role in getting smooth, even coverage. When everything is matched to the process you’re using, printing becomes more consistent and much easier to manage.
Instead of constantly adjusting or troubleshooting, you can move between techniques with confidence. That’s the advantage of a combo press—one machine, multiple workflows, all working together.
Conrad offers a full range of accessories and studio supplies designed to support both intaglio and litho, so it’s easy to build a complete setup around the C-25. With the right tools in place, you’ll get cleaner prints, more consistent results, and a smoother experience—no matter which technique you’re using.
Press Stand / Workbench
With a versatile press like the Conrad C-25 combo press, having a solid foundation is key—especially when you’re switching between intaglio and lithography. A strong, stable stand helps the press perform the way it should, no matter which process you’re using.
Conrad press stands are built from all-steel construction, giving you the strength and rigidity needed to handle both the higher pressures of intaglio and the smooth rolling action required for litho. It keeps everything steady, so you can move between techniques without worrying about vibration or movement.
The properly sized stand helps prevent wobbling or shifting during use, which is important for maintaining even pressure and consistent results across different printing styles. It’s also designed at a comfortable working height, so you can print longer without strain.
Caster options are available as well, making it easy to move your setup when needed—without sacrificing stability.
Registration Grid & Protective Bed Cover
A registration grid and protective bed cover help keep your printing process accurate and your press in good condition. The grid makes it easier to align plates and paper consistently, which is especially important for multi-layer prints or editions.
At the same time, the protective bed cover shields the press bed from scratches, ink, and wear, helping preserve its flatness and longevity. Together, they improve both workflow and equipment protection.
Printmaking Felt Blankets
Felt blankets are essential for proper intaglio printing because they help distribute pressure evenly across the plate and paper. High-quality blankets allow the paper to be pushed into the recessed lines of the plate, improving detail and ink transfer.
Using the right blanket set also protects both the plate and the press while ensuring consistent results across every print. A good set of blankets is one of the most important tools in achieving professional-quality prints.
Printmaking Supplies Perfect for C-25
Having the right printmaking supplies in your studio helps create a smooth, efficient printmaking process, so you can focus on printing, not problem-solving.
Start your complete professional studio setup with Conrad Press supplies:
- Hand Inking Brayers
- Scraper Bars
- Stone Levigators
- Litho Stones
- Printmaking Paper
- Printmaking Inks
Get a C-25 Press
There’s never been
a better time to print.
Why limit your studio to one technique when you can do it all? The Conrad C-25 combo press gives you the power to print both intaglio and lithography on a single, professional-grade machine—saving space in your studio or classroom while expanding what you can create.
If you’re ready to simplify your setup and unlock true versatility in your printmaking, the C-25 is the right press for you.
Shop Conrad C-25 Press NowFAQ
The Conrad C-25 has a print area of 27″ x 48″.
The Conrad C-25 can print paper sizes up to 27″ x 48″ including A1 paper.
The Conrad Combination press can convert from etching to litho in as little as 3 minutes.
No special tools are required to convert the Conrad Combination press from intaglio to litho. Just a simple adjustable wrench.
