Printing with a Pasta Machine

A Surprising Alternative to a Press

If you've ever wanted to try intaglio printmaking but don’t have access to a traditional press, don’t worry—your kitchen might just have the answer! A simple pasta machine can be repurposed as a small-scale printing press, perfect for printing collagraphs and drypoints at home. While it won’t replace a heavy-duty etching press, it’s a surprisingly effective option for experimentation and small prints.

How It Works - Pasta machines are designed to roll out sheets of dough with consistent pressure, which makes them a decent alternative for pressing inked plates onto paper. The rollers act similarly to the rollers on an etching press, squeezing the damp paper into the inked plate to create a print.

Setting Up Your Pasta Machine for Printmaking - Here’s how you can turn a pasta machine into a makeshift printing press:

Adjust the Rollers - If your pasta machine has adjustable thickness settings, start with a wider setting and gradually decrease it to find the right amount of pressure.

Clamp down the machine - You will need to clamp the machine to the table to allow you to use two hands to wind the handle and guide the plate through the rollers, you can use the clamp that comes with press or a DIY clamp.

Create a Printing Sandwich - You will need to create a print sandwich with your inked plate and damp paper in the middle. Use a piece of soft felt or blotting paper as a cushion. 

Choose Your Plate Material - A pasta machine works best with thin, flexible plates, such as Tetra Pak cartons, plexiglass or acetate for drypoint, or thin collagraph plates.

Ink Your Plate - Use intaglio inks (either oil-based or water-based) and wipe the plate carefully to retain detail.

Prepare Your Paper - Soak and blot your printmaking paper as you would for intaglio prints. For intaglio techniques like collagraphs and drypoints, I use heavyweight paper. I recommend Snowden cartridge paper (300gsm), soaked for 1–2 minutes to achieve the ideal pliability for printmaking.

Limitations & Tips

• Pressure Constraints: Pasta machines don’t apply the same level of pressure as a proper press, so results may vary depending on the plate material and paper thickness.

• Size Restrictions: Since pasta machines have a narrow opening, this method works best for small prints. Mine has a 14cm max width

• Durability: Keep in mind that pasta machines are not built for this purpose, so repeated use might wear them out over time.

Final Thoughts - Using a pasta machine for printmaking is a fun and inventive way to experiment with intaglio techniques.It works well for very small prints, but it can be a bit fiddly and requires some trial and error to get the best results. That said, it’s a great way to play, explore, and create unique prints without a big investment. Give it a go and see what you can make!

Check out a video I made of the process to see a bit more www.youtube.com/@jennymccabeprintmaker