Our Story

Mitchell Press Works has been a long time coming. Originally conceived in the early 2000s after I graduated from my undergrad, realizing that I needed a press, I kept the dream alive until now.

During the Covid19 pandemic, I finally had the opportunity to lock myself in my studio with my machining equipment and began prototyping a press that reminded me of home and the spirit of the midwestern work ethic of Illinois, USA. Taking visual cues from the “L Train” of downtown Chicago, the platform for which the press is built is designed to be strong, while also being minimal and elegant. I used my knowledge of printmaking, printmaking press designs from around the world, and my background in manual machining and mechanical engineering to design our presses. 

Built and tested from the ground up, our presses are designed with the knowledge and need of printmakers who want to print for hours on end.

The core design principle behind Mitchell Press Works can be split into two categories:

What works

  • All steel construction. No hollow tubes in the press bodies. Completely solid for accuracy and rigidity.

  • Industrial bolts and fasteners for ease of assembly, replacement of parts, and expansion of the press.

  • Modularity of design. Easily install and de-install press parts after your initial purchase. Upgrade handles, cylinders, and beds with ease.

  • Ergonomics

    • All handles are designed for the user’s hand.

    • Top lifting handles are designed with the person’s hand in mind reducing hand joint and wrist strain.

    • Press bodies are designed to be moved easily by one or two people with balanced weight

    • Our Press Tables are designed specifically for the print artist.

What doesn’t work 

  • Welding of parts. Eventually, they will break and the cost of fixing is $$$. You will not see it on these press bodies unless it is a table the press is resting on.

  • Presses that cannot be serviced and maintained by the owners

  • Presses that do not function for education. Students and classes can destroy a press if it is not designed well. Our presses are designed with students and classes in mind.