This paper is concerned with the kinematic analysis of several linkage drives for mechanical presses. Load and velocity characteristics of conventional presses are illustrated and a design of new drive for a mechanical press is represented. In this regard, a crank-slider mechanism with arc crank-pin guide is introduced and compared with other linkage drives. Kinematic performances are analyzed in respect of load capacity, slide velocity characteristics using a developed SS-Plot program. The new linkage drive turns out to be effective in terms of load and velocity characteristics, and productivity.