Sunday, October 10, 2010

Credit Card Imprinter as Mini Press

We went camping over the weekend with Campfire and had a grand time at Colorado Bend State Park. I brought along a printmaking activity for the kids and we spent about an hour making prints using my altered credit card machine. I found out about it from a friend that in turn found out about it at a printmaking conference. The presenter at the conference was Sarah Whorf, and I tell you, she came up with something really cool. I bought credit card machine off of Ebay for maybe $10, took about 20 mins to alter the machine into a mini press, and voila! instant fun! Thank you Sarah! We inked up leaves and printed them on site. You can also carve linoleum and I have a sample here from a past Valentine's Day bookmark project as well as the word "Burning." The only drawback is you can only make a print 2" high, but the plate can be about 5" wide.

14 comments:

Carolyn Kimball said...

FUN!!!!

Cathy Savage said...

I know! I love this little machine. Sure, anyone that doesn't know printmaking thinks it's cool, but I was drawn to it because it was so clever and crafty. It works surprisingly well. There are two rollers that are squeezed together to make one big roller. You can't see the seam at all. Directions on how to alter an imprinter coming your way!

Pamela Pletz said...

Cathy, I just found your site and love it! Can you forward the instructions on how to convert a credit card machine to a mini imprinter? I really want to try this. Thank you so much! pammylala@gmail.com www.skirtfire.blogspot.com

Kelly said...

So, did you ever post the alteration instructions? I looked but couldn't find them on your site. However, serendipitously, I found the eraser-carved return address stamp and will have to try that. What fun! Really would like some instructions on how to modify that little machine to make it into a mini-press.

Anonymous said...

Great website. I do have a question though...what brand and model imprint machine are you using for your mini press and do you have any recommendations on imprint machines to use as mini presses.
Thank you for all your help.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
David.Mohallatee@eku.edu
Take care
Dave

Cathy Savage said...

I don't remember what I bought but I bet I bought the recommended machine. I read through the instructions the DataCard Addressograph was recommended as the best model. I'll go ahead and email you the instructions. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I've just finished reading and enjoying your entire blog archives and found all your printmaking ideas so inspiring! I hope you can send me the instructions for modifying a DataCard Addressograph - thanks!
alegnaavlis[at]hotmail.com

Thanks for all the creative ideas,
Angela Silva

Anonymous said...

This info is great...i just found the site, was looking a while for printmaking methods and how to work with my nephews art classes.
Can you send me the info how to mod the imprinter!! thanks.
Victoria,
loft510@gmail.com
looking forward

Joanna said...

Lovely site!

Went to a printmaking fair yesterday hoping to find info on making prints with a credit card imprinter, but also, that info wasn't available....Could you e-mail me the instructions, I would love to try this!

Thanks, and thanks for the cool ideas on your site!

jowitzel@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Very impressive!!

I too would like to have the instructions for modifying the machine.

Would you please e-mail me the instructions?

Thanks so much for the inspiration!

ACreport@bellsouth.net

Anonymous said...

Beautiful prints! I would love to do something with my daughter and nieces and nephews. When you have time, I would love to have the instructions as well. leannehafer@yahoo.com

Thanks!

Unknown said...

Hi Cathy
Just came across this posting via linkedin - do you still have instructions on how to adapt the credit card machine to a mini press?

Can you email to louisacrispin@btinternet.com

Darnia said...

Hi, I am also interested in the mod details. I'd love to use this with our homeschool art group.
Please email hobsondarnia@gmail.com Thank you, Darnia

ada said...

tried years ago to adapt a credit card machine on my own, and definitely got a type that was not adaptable. could you send instructions with model number series of credit card imprinter?

have a project in mind
thanks !

growlingrabbit@gmail.com