The Xcut express machine with extended printing bed - printing a hand cut metal plate etching by Jenny McCabe

Printing a handcut metal etching plate on the xcut xpress by Jenny McCabe

Printing a handcut metal etching plate on the xcut xpress. Blue tit by Jenny McCabe

Etching bath and 2 plates by Jenny McCabe

Inking up metal etching plates. Sparrows by Jenny McCabe

Inking up metal etching plates. Longtailed tits by Jenny McCabe

Printing a handcut metal etching plate on the xcut xpress. Longtailed tits by Jenny McCabe

Printing a handcut metal etching plate on the xcut xpress. Robin by Jenny McCabe

Printed on the xcut xpress. Hand cut etching and gold leaf detail by Jenny McCabe

Due to Covid 19 pandemic the UK went into lockdown on march the 23rd 2020 - everyone that could work from home was told to work from home - all non essential businesses to close - people told to only leave the house for essential food and medicine and 1 hours exercise per day.

The print studio where I make all my prints is based in a public building and it closed its doors to the public and didn’t open up until august - I was unable to print and a bit lost- for a few moments I panicked and thought that was it - no more printmaking - but then I remembered the small Xcut machine I had bought a few years earlier for delivering workshops out of the print room and I decided now was the moment to unbox it and relearn all my skills.

I have followed other peoples progress using these small dye cutting machines as printing presses and have always been impressed by what people have achieved - but I had my reservations - assuming they would not be able to print my metal plate etchings to the same standard as the large presses in the studio - but how wrong I was!

For the print attempt I inked up an old plate in a single colour just to see how it would print - I assumed the pressure wouldn’t be strong enough and Id get a weak print - but it came out perfectly and I was amazed. I tested a few more old plates and inked up in multiple colours the way I normally print and all of them worked - a few tweaks to the levels of ink left on the plate but thats usually my problem - I do like to clean the plate to hard rather than wipe it artfully!

I was so inspired by my new found ability to print I began working on new plates immediately - I have made so many new pieces over the last few months, I continued to print very small editions of just 12 prints each time and each edition has sold out in just a few minutes of being release - I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received and really motivated to keep going as I have so many ideas flowing.

The Xcut is an amazing little machine - its sturdy and the roller pressure is amazing - I am concerned that if I work it much harder it may not last - but I have printed 100s of prints so far and its still going strong.

Even though Ive see lots of people mainly doing Lino prints with it, it works really well for intaglio print methods - etching plates, dry point and collagraphs - it will be brilliant to take out and about on workshops where people cant get into the print studio. Im a total convert and really rather grateful to my little xcut for getting me through lockdown!

Although the Xcut is hard to come by now you can find some on eBay occasionally and the range in the UK seems to have stock sometimes.

Recommendations

Handprinted sells a perfect extended bed and blanket set which I use and would highly recommend. https://handprinted.co.uk/

Colin Blanchard has made a series of videos explaining how to use the cut for printing reduction Lino and he is just brilliant and inspiring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq6rngtERAs

There is also a great Facebook group for people using craft presses (ie xcuts and alike) well worth a look to see what others are up-to and be inspired. Craft press Printmakers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1544918272204523

Technical stuff

I use 1 mm aluminium sheets to make my plates

I etch in a copper sulphate solutions and use spray paint as an aquatint substitute.

I cut out my plates using a jewellery saw and lots of patience.

I print using Hawthorn stay open inks on 300 msg Hahnemuhle paper.

Printing in lockdown - using the Xcut xpress

Collagraphs and dismantled boxes

Winter etchings 2019