The Printmaking Press Restoration Experts
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Our Full Press Restoration Process
Conrad Machine is a full service printmaking press restoration company. We believe in giving presses of all makes, models, and sizes a second chance to print beautiful prints.
That’s why we go to such great lengths to fully restore etching and lithography presses. From returning rolls and resurfacing damaged bed plates to completely stripping and repainting press frames, we completely restore presses so they look and function better than they did when they were new.
Our press restoration experts don’t believe in cutting corners. That’s why our printmaking press restorations are museum quality. When you get a restored press from Conrad Machine, every piece will be restored or updated with modern components.
Take a closer look at our process.
Evaluate Press Condition
Every restoration begins with a thorough evaluation of the press. We inspect all critical components—including the frame, rollers, bearings, pressure systems, and drive mechanisms—to identify wear, damage, and performance issues.
This step allows us to determine the full scope of work and develop a detailed restoration plan. By understanding the condition of the press upfront, we ensure nothing is overlooked and that the restoration delivers long-term reliability and performance.
Completely Disassemble
Once the evaluation is complete, the press is fully disassembled into its individual components. This allows us to access every part of the machine, including areas that are not visible during normal operation.
Each piece is carefully removed, labeled, and organized to ensure accuracy during reassembly. Full disassembly is essential for a proper restoration, as it enables us to address hidden wear, clean internal components, and restore the press from the ground up.
Repair / Upgrade Everything
During this stage, we repair or replace worn and damaged components while upgrading critical systems where needed. This may include resurfacing or replacing rollers, installing new bearings, restoring pressure screws, and improving mechanical performance.
We focus on bringing every part of the press back to optimal condition, ensuring smooth operation, precision, and durability. When appropriate, we incorporate modern improvements to enhance reliability while maintaining the original integrity of the press.
Refinish & Repaint
After mechanical restoration, the press is refinished to restore its appearance and protect it from future wear. We remove rust, corrosion, and old coatings before applying a high-quality finish designed for durability and long-term protection.
Repainting and replating surfaces not only improves the visual appeal of the press but also helps prevent environmental damage. The result is a press that looks as good as it performs.
Reassemble & Test
With all components restored, the press is carefully reassembled with precision and attention to detail. We ensure proper alignment, correct tolerances, and smooth integration of all parts.
Once assembled, the press undergoes thorough testing to verify performance, including pressure consistency, roller movement, and overall operation. This step ensures the press meets professional standards and is ready for reliable use.
Reunite with the Artist
The final step is returning the fully restored press to its owner. We handle delivery, installation, and setup, ensuring the press is properly positioned, leveled, and calibrated in its new or original space.
Our goal is to provide a seamless transition from restoration to operation, so the artist can immediately put the press back to work. Seeing a restored press back in action is the final and most rewarding part of the process.
Who Do We Restore Presses For?
Conrad Machine works with any artist or institution to properly restore and preserve their printmaking presses to like new condition and functionality. We often work with institutions and artists who have recently received a donated or broken used press that isn’t working properly due to neglect or abuse and needs to be restored to perfect working condition.
Here is a list of people and organizations we have worked with to restore their etching and lithographic printmaking presses:
- Private artists
- Schools
- Colleges
- Art Institutions
- Art co-ops
- Commercial print shops
- Non-profits
If you have a press that you want restored, we would love to work with you on making your dreams come to true.
Please contact us using the form below.
Does Your Press Need Restoration? Get a Quote.
Take a closer look.
Here are some examples of Conrad Machine press restoration projects that we have restored for artists, schools, and art institutes around the country.
American French Tool Etching Press Restoration
Unfortunately, this American French Tool came to us in bad shape. It was in a fire and then left outside for many years. Left for the scrap yard, we decided to take on the project of resurrecting this press to its former beauty.
A complete restoration was needed. The entire press was disassembled piece by piece to be cleaned, sand blasted, and repainted. The frames were warped from improper removal and needed to be straightened before they could be reassembled.
Due to the fire and the extended length of time in the elements, the bed had to be resurfaced along with replacing all of the roll bearing, bed guides, springs, and press bolts with new parts.
In the end, it was all worth it. This American French Tool press found a new home and will print another lifetime of prints.
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Charles Brand Etching Press Restoration
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Griffin Etching Press Restoration
This Griffin etching press came to our shop in rough shape, sadly missing many of its parts. The original motor, safety guards, press bed, and bed stops were long gone. In addition, most of the moving parts were rusted solid from ages of outside exposure.
This was going to be a challenge.
Due to the excessive rust, the entire press needed to be disassembled, so each piece could be cleaned, sandblasted, and repainted. Even the bearing and bed rollers were seized and had to be broken free, then completely cleaned and re-greased.
With no original parts to reference, we custom fabricated new motor brackets, control mounting brackets, and safety guard brackets that would compliment the original design and fit modern components.
We custom machined an extra long bed and fitted it with modern guide rails that were never available on the original press.
In the end, this Griffin press turned out beautiful. With a modern electric motor and control and a new bed with better guides, this press will live to print many more decades of prints.
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Restore your press
There’s never been
a better time to restore your press.
Is your press ready to be restored and brought back to peak performance? Contact us today for a personalized quote and let our team walk you through the restoration process.
Whether it’s a full rebuild or targeted upgrades, we’ll help you get your press—and your studio—running like new again.
Contact Conrad Press NowFAQ
If your press has significant wear, uneven pressure, rust, noisy operation, or multiple failing components, a full restoration may be the best option. We can evaluate your press and recommend whether restoration or targeted repairs are more appropriate.
Restoration timelines vary depending on the condition of the press and the scope of work, but most full restorations take several weeks to several months. We provide a clear timeline after the initial evaluation.
Yes, many older presses can be fully restored to like-new performance. In many cases, restoration can extend the life of a press for decades.
Yes, our goal is to restore or even improve performance through repairs, upgrades, and precise calibration. A properly restored press should operate smoothly and produce consistent, high-quality prints.
