Letterpress

A general printing technique, also known as relief printing. Ink is carried to the paper on some sort of raised surface, which can be metal type, a block of woodor linoleum, or metal plate. ("Relief printing" usually implies the use of something other than metal type.) This is opposed to gravure printing, in which the ink is carried in a recessed surface.

The printing surface can be raised by:

• Cutting away the white areas with hand tools (block printing or wood engraving)
• Etching of metal with an acid (photoengraving)
• Hardening a photo emulsion using light (photo polymer plates)
• Casting from a carved or punched matrix (metal type).

Once the relief surface has been created, it is put into the press. A roller or dauber applies ink to the raised surface, which is then pressed against the paper.

Let"ter*press" (?), n.

Print; letters and words impressed on paper or other material by types; -- often used of the reading matter in distinction from the illustrations.

Letterpress printing, printing directly from type, in distinction from printing from plates.

 

© Webster 1913.