I've come to the hard realisation that, actually, I haven't got enough letters to set the whole of On the Record at once.
Initially, I'd envisioned setting a full signature of eight pages. Putting the letters away (leaving the sheet time to dry), and then composing and printing the reverse side of the same eight-page signature. Sadly, I only have enough letters to set four pages at once. And even then it's a bit tight (there were only two "o"s left when I finished the most recent spread).
From the plus column: this means there will be less to tidy at the end of the project as I will be tidying throughout the project, releasing letters from a previous page to compose them into a new page. Also from the plus column, I can use the fast press for printing. On our treadle press, I can print a few hundred sheets per hour. On the big press, one hundred sheets takes half a day.
From the minus column: I was anxiously looking forward to figuring out our most complex layout to date. (I won't lie, I'm not disappointed that anxiety is gone.) As the lack of anxiety is really the only negative thing, I suppose it's a good thing I haven't got more letters.
 |
There is a lot of marvellous terminology in letterpress. Please excuse the indulgence as I name some of it for you now. In the photo above (from top to bottom):
- Forme: the name given to the assembly of chase (frame) plus its locked up letters. Yes, forme, with an "e". You're welcome, Scrabble friends.
- Sorts: the individual metal type and spaces. These happen to be from my 12pt Fournier fount. Yes, with a "u". A fount is a single incarnation (size + style) of a typeface.
- Quoin (pronounced coin): the rectangles with inner circles. These are expanded with a key to hold the forme together. Scrabble folks: you're taking notes, right?
- Elastic band: a critical bit of kit attached to the metal strippers. The elastic band helps to pull the sheet away from the forme after printing a sheet.
- Rollers. Covered in letterpress dark brown ink from Hawthorn Printmakers.
- Bottom bale. A shiny metal bar used to hold in the tympan which is outrageously annoying to use. (Perhaps obviously: not in use.)
- Packing. Purple sugar paper (construction paper for my North American friends).
- Gauge pins. the two little metal clips that are holding the sheet of paper in place. These are a gift from British Printing Society member, Win, and I love them a lot. Letterpress friends, get thee a set of these, stat! I used these instructions, although mine are a bit different.
- Printed page. Finally! This is page 2 and 15. The verso (back side) of the first sheet to be printed.
For those still reading, you are truly my people. Thank you for sticking with me as I roll you through ins-and-outs of letterpress printing in the digital age.