I am still learning and practicing, mostly on bronze and copper. My method so far is aluminum plate, magazine board shiny side up, SRP, two pieces of printer paper behind back cover, magazine board at center, two pieces of printer paper behind front cover, SRP, magazine board shiny side down, aluminum plate. This seems to be the minimum required components. The main thing that makes me queasy about this is the waste. On some practice books I might reuse SRP or a backing board if it looks ok. I do have the same problem with the top plate sticking to the press a bit, and I see how the SRP above the plate would help with that. I get around that by lifting the press handle just enough to relieve the pressure, wait a few seconds and then lift slowly. However, reusing SRP paper is probably perfectly suited for above the top plate...no need to worry about waviness being transferred to the book. I think I will start trying that now. Looking forward to any future Big John pressing demos.

Definitely learned a lot from your videos going to start trying some of the stuff out...

Enjoy your vids, and enjoy your passion of the hobby! This is a craft I'd like to learn but I have too many irons in the fire to try right now. I'd love to send a book to ya that needs some TLC. I'll look you up on Google!

hey John - I doubt a single one of your customers disliked that you're an overkill kind of guy. Not one. PS love the shirt! PPS - like that watch too.

Overkill is definitely better than a metal plate stuck in your book :)

I’m a glue and screwer as well. Hahaha