I spent all day doing proofing, and one of two light duties around the place. I must say that I expected to do more duties around than what I have been given. I ended up spending most of the time using the proofing press, doing proofing for my type and at the end cleaned the proofing press with white spirit ( a solvent). I did about 3 proofing today, and it was very hard to get it right actually, either spelling, spacing, types being wrong, put upside down, worn out type, line wasn't straight - I have so much respect for the master typographer setter, what a task! Anyway here it is....
1. Now that the type is done it is time to move it to a flat surface, in H and E it is called the stone, a flat working surface for checking types and is to be kept cleaned and dry at all time as not to effect the smoothness of the surface. It involves me pushing the type at the edge when the galley I have the type click in perfectly with the edge so the types could be slide across.Always keep in mind that you use both thumbs and first finger of both hands ( one of mine is holding the camera) so the 4 sides of the type are keep together.
2. Once slide across it is time to set it in the 'Chase', an empty frame. Once the chase is filled with the type and all the furniture and quoins to secure it, then it is called a 'Forme'. Note that it is handy to line it up with the lengths it has been assigned to, and the furniture ( little I beams) are laid so that the strongest axis is align with the type. Quoins are always kept on one side on each axis. Ensure nothing less than 6 point leading is used, and if it is in used put them away from the quoins so they don't get bended, and the quoins in between furniture rather than have direct contact to the side of the chase.
3. When putting everything in place first do finger tight on all the quoins, then adjust each one a bit, until all are done and then start again, this is to ensure equal pressure is applied from all sides at the same time so there is no distortion. Once all are done lift the forme slightly to see whether everything is secured, and then bang it lightly at the side to ensure nothing falls off. After that use the wooden piece and the hammer to tap the type lightly to ensure they are all level and again lift and check all are still in place after.
4. Now it is ready for the proofing press. I won't go into too much detail as all proofing press maybe slightly different, but the basics are; for serious prints the forme has to be locked in place, but for my first attempt just checking spelling etc magnets at either side is fine to set it. Rubber based ink is used as it doesn't dry out quickly - an advantage when not much ink is needed but it is needed to do proofs throughout the day on the proof press.And then you roll and get the proof and review it until you get it all right!
A note about cleaning the machine - use white spirit and wipe with cloth....more next week...
