Thursday 23 June 2011

Easy Printing Methods

From the book "Introduction To Printing" by Herbert Simon.

Having decided on a line of 24 ems measure, set twenty-four 12-point em quads and adjust slide so that it just grips them:
a tight fit is to be avoided. Then, having removed the quads, place the setting rule against the back edge of the composing stick.
It should rest comfortably in this position and must not be allowed to bow.

With the setting rule in position the letters can be picked out of the case and transferred to the stick. The line will require spacing between the words and considerable judgment has to be exercised to choose the correct thickness of space so that the line fits comfortably, not either slackly or tightly, in the 24 ems linear measurement.
This fitting of the line comfortably within the measure is known as justification. All lines must be uniformly justified so that subsequent operations can be carried out satisfactory. After a line has been set and justified the setting rule should be moved forward so that the next line can be set against it. The individual letters must, of course, face the same way.
This can be checked by seeing that the 'nick' on the shank of the type is visible in every complete line.

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Printing is an art more than a knowledge. Printing is a practical work. A knowledge can be learned from good books or good teacher delivers it in a most convenient manner, but an art especially printing can be best learned in practice.