Retired Bureau of Engraving and Printing plate printer Mike Bean showed Joe Wright the proper techniques for “inking in” the steel plate, wiping the plate with crinoline fabric, and then hand-polishing the plate to remove any ink residue / film / tone left on the surface.
In April, Joe Wright started his fourth year at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. He’s in a 10 year apprentice program to become a banknote picture engraver.
Once the plate is inked in, it is placed on the bed of the press, and a damp sheet of paper is placed on top of the plate. The long spokes on the press are pulled, moving the plate with the paper under the impression roller. The pressure from the roller forces the paper into the engraved lines, where the ink binds with the paper to get the image from the plate.
Joe did an excellent job and produced a quality print!