There are three ways to make a matrix for casting metal
printing type.

1. The original way is to file the character onto the end of
a piece of soft steel. The steel is then hardened and pressed
into a piece of copper to make the matrix.

2. An existing piece of type (or one which has been carved
in a soft metal such as a blank piece of type) can be
electroplated to make a matrix.

3. A cardboard pattern can be cut out at a large size (say
four or six inches high) and this can be used with a panto-
graph and engraving tool to cut a matix.

All three of these methods are still being done by as a
cottage industry by hobby printers and those making fine
handmade books.

(As a variation, Linotype and Monotype composition
matrices were made by using the pantograph and
engraving tool to cut a punch, then pressing the punch
into a brass blank, sort a combination of methods one
and two.)

In all cases, the depth into the matrix is closely controlled
so the type coming off the casting machine is completely
finished and ready for use.

All three methods create a flat surface in the copper or
brass blank. No additional work is required.

Nicholas, I have some spare samples of punched and
electroplated matrices which I would be happy to send
to you if you let me know your USPostal address off-list.

--Ph. D.


----- Originala Mesagxo -----
De: "Nicholas Bodley" <nbodley@...>
Al: <qalam@yahoogroups.com>
Sendita: Mardon, 06an de decembro 2005, 3:00 ptm
Temo: Re: New Cree typeface cut in metal for letterpress

> On Mon, 05 Dec 2005 13:05:14 -0500, Peter T. Daniels
> <grammatim@...> wrote:
>
> > Type-cutting works as follows.
>
> Peter, thank you, kindly, for explaining the process.
> I assume that the depth of the punch impression is carefully controlled,
> or is the other end of each type slug trimmed to exact type height?
>
> I'm still puzzled by the recesses cut into a copper plate, and how they
> became flat-topped type slugs.
>
> Just scanning incoming messages; I might have missed other replies.