Tipografia

Typography in Printing

Typography in printing is a fruit of romance between science and art. The appearance of each type reflects the level of its technique. In order to truly understand how did typography became what it appears, we need to comprehend the evolution of the printing technology. In this article, we will discuss about some of the conventional printing techniques and how it affected typography in the late 19th to mid 20th century.

Conventional printing refers to “information is generated on the printing substrate by the partial surface transfer of ink” and “all information is denoted by image elements and non-image elements” (Kipphan, 2001, p41). Under the category, there are four main techniques: screen printing, letterpress, lithography, and gravure. The following discussion will stress on letterpress, which is more closely related to typography. One of the common aspects of letterpress is that “the printing elements are at the same height are coated with a layer of ink of constant thickness by the application rollers”. The systems that use letterpress are book printing, flexographic printing, and letterset. The printed products usually include small-format jobs, business cards, form printing, packaging print work, labels and bags (Kipphan, 2001, p45-48).

In 1886, a great accomplishment in typesetting, Linotype machine, was invented by Ottmar Mergenthaler. This machine eliminated the slow and tedious method of manual movement of the type, and enabled typewriterlike keyboard that saves labor force (Woods, 1987, p100). A linotype machine combines a keyboard and caster (Spellman, 1964, p7), which “activated a system of casting hot lead from brass matrices into continuous lines of type, thus the hot type” (Woods, 1987, p100) (Figure 1). According to Spellman (1964), a most ingenious mechanism is employed to return the matrices to the magazine after a slug is cast, which ensures the unfailing supply. The mechanical typesetting of the Linotype machine first time made mass production and distribution technologically possible. Since all the same letters share one and only mold, a small flaw of only one letter can be “genetically” reflected to all the same letter across the page. 

Figure 1

In 1940, a new technology began to take root; and it was also known as cold type as opposed to hot type because it does not involve melting metal. Instead, this method utilized a carbon-paper ribbon, through which a metal font of type left its “finger print” on a sheet of paper. This technique was further matured when Ralph C. Coxhead developed the Verityper, a typewriter with interchangeable fonts or series of type. Since then, the industry standard of measurement “point (pt.)” had been initiated. This invention was a milestone for printing industry since its speed, simplicity and economy all surpassed previous technology (Figure 2). IBM helped advance typesetting in the 1950s with its PSM (Proportional Spacing Machine) electric keyboard device, which improved the final results in multiple important details like alignment (Woods, 1987, p100).

Figure 2

What happened after mechanical typesetting was completely revolutionary, because this time the mindset of a printing process was not restricted to physical, but also chemical. This is known as phototypesetting, when light, film or sensitized paper, and proper chemicals all joined the party. According to Spellman (1964), “Photo composition is the composing of text on film or paper instead of metal”. This advancement allows more flexibility in typography during the process. For example, the sizes of a type can range from 4 pt. to 72 pt. by simply having the proper code entered into it (Woods, 1987, p102). As a result, the final print material had broadened purpose of use, commercial printing is one of the major use.

The blossom of letterpress printing techniques made speedy and large scale printing possible. Even though it is gradually being replaced by modern printing techniques and electronic-based media, the old-school craftsmanship in typography is forever classic.

glossary

hot type: casting hot lead from brass matrices into continuous lines of type

cold type: as opposed to hot type, Coxhead who, in comparing his method to that of setting type in hot lead, coined the term cold type.

point: 1 point = 1/72 inch

Citation:

Kipphan, Helmut. Handbook of Print Media: Technologies and Production Methods. Berlin : Springer, 2001. Print.

Woods, Robert. Printing and Production for Promotional Materials. New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1987. Print.

Spellman, John A. Printing Works Like This. London, Aldine House; New York, Roy Publishers. 1964. Print.

picture source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linotype_machine

http://www.scrittura-meccanica.it/macchine-scrivere-scheda.php?id=0000000039