Gutenberg's process of engraving a letter-punch, striking it into brass to make a matrix, and casting letters in a mould, using that matrix, is explored here. Also later typecasting and the measurements of type.

Melbourne Museum of Printing PRINTING EXPLAINED
Our Glossary of Printing and Typography
TYPE MEASUREMENTS, TYPECASTING, MATRICES

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Glossary Theme

Thematic Glossary of

TYPECASTING AND MEASUREMENTS

SUGGESTION: HOW TO EXPLORE THIS GLOSSARY

IF YOU KNOW THE NAME OF A TERM, GO TO THE ALPHABETIC PAGE
eg to find PICA choose the Alphabetic Page N-Q. You will find several meanings of this word, and that it is mostly used in TYPE MEASUREMENTS.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE OTHER TERMS ABOUT TYPE MEASUREMENTS
look in the Thematic Glossary about Typecasting and Type Measurements

CHOOSE AN ALPHABETIC PAGE:	A,B
	C
	DEF
	G-K
	L,M
	N-Q
	R,S
	T-Z

CHOOSE A THEMATIC PAGE:

CHARACTERS, TYPEFACES

LAYOUT, PREPRESS, TYPOGRAPHY

TYPECASTING, MEASUREMENTS

MACHINE TYPESETTING, HOT/COLD

LETTERPRESS COMPOSING, STEREO

WORKFLOW, PROOFREADING, IMAGES

PRINTING: LETTERPRESS, LITHO

FINISHING: CUT, NUMBER, BIND

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THESE DEFINITIONS INCLUDE:
usu = usually	cf = compare with	eg = for example	typic = typically


NOUN, COUNTABLE	alphabet length	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
the length of complete lower case alphabet, measured in absolute or relative units (ems of size).

NOUN, COUNTABLE	ascender height	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
height from baseline to the top of ascending strokes

NOUN, COUNTABLE	baseline	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
line on which most characters sit

NOUN, COUNTABLE	body size	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
size pointwise of type body: the step, baseline-to-baseline in solid (unleaded) typesetting

NOUN, COUNTABLE	cap height	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
height from the baseline in any fount to the top of most capitals

NOUN, COUNTABLE	cicero	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
European unit of measurement 7% larger than a pica: divided into 12 Didot pts

NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE	descender depth	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
depth from baseline to the lowest point of the descenders

NOUN, COUNTABLE	em (absolute)	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
a pica em (12 points), used as a unit of measure (line length)

NOUN, COUNTABLE	em (relative)	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
a unit, setwise, equal to current body size. [from the letter M]

NOUN, COUNTABLE	en (relative)	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
half an em: also en space, en quad, en rule, en leader

MISCONCEPTION / INAPPROP TERM	leading [ledding]. 2	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
NOT the distance between baselines: 12pt type, 3pt leaded makes 15pt line-to-line

NOUN, COUNTABLE	pica . . . . . . . 1	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
traditional typesize name, later taken as the standard 12 point measure

NOUN, COUNTABLE	pica . . . . . . . 2	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
defined (around 1890?) as 0.1660 inch: 6 picas = 0.996 inch

NOUN, COUNTABLE	pica . . . . . . . 4	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
European equivalent of pica is the Cicero (about 7% larger)

NOUN, COUNTABLE	point . . . . . . 1	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
fundamental unit for type body sizes: the point is defined as 1/12 pica

NOUN, COUNTABLE	point . . . . . . 2	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
Anglo-American point is 0.013833 inch (1/12 of 0.1660) or 0.351 mm

NOUN, COUNTABLE	point . . . . . . 3	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
some computers use pica = 1/6 inch: their point has become 0.013889 inch

NOUN, COUNTABLE	point . . . . . . 4	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
points are also used for spacing and rules: 3pt leads; 1pt rule face on 2pt body

NOUN, COUNTABLE	point . . . . . . 5	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
European point (or Didot) is 1/12 of a Cicero (about 0.0148 inch)

NOUN, COUNTABLE	point . . . . . . 6	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
in practical terms, 36pt is half an inch, and so on: no easy conversion to metric

NOUN, COUNTABLE	point size	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
size of type body: typeface designed for that body size

ADVERB	pointwise	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
in the vertical axis of a piece of type: the bowl measures 3.6 pts, pointwise

NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE	set width	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
measure of character along the line: often in units-of-set

ADVERB	setwise	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
measured along the direction of set, ie along the line [opp pointwise]

NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE	type size	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
type body height: line-to-line spacing when type is set solid

NOUN, COUNTABLE	weight . . . . . . 1	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
relative stroke thickness of characters, from light to ultra bold

NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE	width	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
relative total width of characters, from extra condensed to extra expanded

NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE	x-height	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
distance, pointwise, between base-line and x-line: height of typical l/c letter

NOUN, COUNTABLE	x-line	TYPE MEASUREMENTS
the upper-bounding line of typical non-ascending l/c letters

NOUN, COUNTABLE	body . . . . . . . 1	TYPE CASTING
shank of metal supporting the platform and typeface: the "bulky" part of a piece of type

NOUN, COUNTABLE	buren	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
hand-held engraving tool for cutting punches or for engraving plates

VERB	cast . . . . . . . 1	TYPE CASTING
fill the type mould, one end closed by a matrix, with molten typemetal, so making a type

ADJECTIVE	cored	TYPE CASTING
(type body) cast in a cored mould. This makes hollows in the body to save weight.

NOUN, COUNTABLE	counter . . . . . 1	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
a space within the shape of a letter of a punch, unreachable by the engraver's file or buren

NOUN, COUNTABLE	counter . . . . . 2	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
the unreachable space is impressed by a counter-punch. This gave rise to the term "counter".

NOUN, COUNTABLE	counter-punch	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
small punch to impress parts of a letter-punch where carving would be difficult

NOUN, COUNTABLE	die	TYPE CASTING
alternative name for matrix

NOUN, COUNTABLE	drive	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
depth of the cavity in a matrix: equates to the height of the face over the shoulder of the body

NOUN, COUNTABLE	engraved matrix	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
matrix engraved rather than punched. Used for one-off designs. Difficult to obtain polished face.

NOUN, COUNTABLE	engraved punch	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
most mats in C20 struck from punches machine-engraved rather than hand-cut. No more counter-punches

NOUN, COUNTABLE	feet	TYPE CASTING
the bottom end of a sort: separated by the groove: if no groove, smooth-foot type

EQUIVALENT TERM	foundry	TYPE CASTING
see typefoundry

NOUN, COUNTABLE	groove	TYPE CASTING
where the bottom of sort has been tooled (by hand or machine) to remove the tang

VERB	justify	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
remove surplus metal from a strike (new matrix) and finish it to exact size for casting

NOUN, COUNTABLE	matrices	TYPE CASTING
this is the plural of matrix: often abb to mats

NOUN, COUNTABLE	matrix . . . . . . 1	TYPE CASTING
metal block with shape of character indented into a flat side

NOUN, COUNTABLE	mould [US mold] .. 1	TYPE CASTING
casting device which gives shape and size to body of type (but not character)

NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE	multigraph type	TYPE CASTING
handset type on t-footed body, specially made for Multigraph system

NOUN, COUNTABLE	nick	TYPE CASTING
groove in one (usu front) surface of type body: some founders made multiple nicks

NOUN, COUNTABLE	nick purpose	TYPE CASTING
the nick and wire stop newly-cast sort lifting in mould when matrix is lifted off

NOUN, COUNTABLE	nick tongue	TYPE CASTING
in later moulds a rectangular tongue replaces wire making square nick

NOUN, COUNTABLE	nick wire	TYPE CASTING
in some type moulds the nick is formed by a wire inset into the mould halves

NOUN, COUNTABLE	nick, partial	TYPE CASTING
the nick may not go across the whole body width, esp larger sizes

NOUN, COUNTABLE	nick, tooled	TYPE CASTING
some typefaces had one or more of their multiple nicks added after casting

NOUN, COUNTABLE	nicks, multiple	TYPE CASTING
many typefounders provided nick patterns to help comp identify similar faces

NOUN, COUNTABLE	punch	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
an original character carved into tip of steel rod and hardened

NOUN, COUNTABLE	punch proof	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
as each punch progressed, the letter-cutter would proof it to ensure its fidelity to design

NOUN, COUNTABLE	sort	TYPE CASTING
a single piece of type, also a type not part of the alphabet, usu sold as an extra, eg fractions

VERB	strike . . . . . . 1	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
impress the punch into the matrix material by hammering or with slow pressure

NOUN, COUNTABLE	strike . . . . . . 2	MATRICES FOR TYPECASTING
matrix after being struck and before being justified: some metal pushed aside by striking, visible

NOUN, COUNTABLE	Supercaster . . . 1	TYPE CASTING
(Monotype): casts type to 72 pt: leads, rules, borders, furniture

NOUN, COUNTABLE	typefounder	TYPE CASTING
person who casts types from molten typemetal. To found means to melt and cast.

NOUN, COUNTABLE	typefoundry	TYPE CASTING
place or business where metal types are cast. Not a place where digital typeface designs are sold!

NOUN, UNCOUNTABLE	typemetal	TYPE CASTING
an alloy of lead with tin and (usu) antimony and perhaps traces of other metals

NOUN, COUNTABLE	typemetal strength	TYPE CASTING
harder grades of typemetal for foundry down to 60% Lead : softer 85% grade for Linotype use.

NOUN, COUNTABLE	composition caster	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
under tape control, casts individual type justified ready to print

NOUN, COUNTABLE	diecase	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
common term for matrix case

NOUN, COUNTABLE	justification scale	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
the drum, unique for each set-size, which shows the space-size needed to justify

NOUN, COUNTABLE	justification wedges	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
pair of wedges in caster: set for each line: determine space size to 0.0005 inch

NOUN, COUNTABLE	keybar	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
rod assoc with a key, with pips to operate needed punch bars to cast that letter

NOUN, COUNTABLE	keybar frame	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
carries keybars for one typeface arrangement eg Bembo with Bold & Italic 6 - 12pt

NOUN, COUNTABLE	keyboard	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
operated by a compositor, produces 31-channel tape to control the caster

BRAND NAME	Monotype . . . . . 1	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
orig hot metal typesetting system, later many typesetters and prepress equipment

NOUN, COUNTABLE	Monotype . . . . . 2	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
typesetting system: produces individual characters composed and justified

NOUN, COUNTABLE	mould [US mold] .. 4	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
fixed size pointwise but variable set-wise for various letters

NOUN, COUNTABLE	normal wedge	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
steel wedge giving mould blade the correct opening for a particular set-size and pattern of units

NOUN, COUNTABLE	normal wedge number	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
includes the stopbar code required by the Unit Arrangement, plus the set-size, eg s554-13pt

NOUN, COUNTABLE	punch bar	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
33 cross bars actuated by keybar pips: each bar operates one ribbon punch

NOUN, COUNTABLE	ribbon format . . .1	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
there are 31 rows of holes, 14 for each axis plus Spacing, Fine and Coarse justification

NOUN, COUNTABLE	ribbon format . . .2	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
each axis has 15 logical values (A to O, 1 to 15) but O and 15 have no holes: a blank row = O-15

NOUN, COUNTABLE	ribbon punch	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
the keyboard punching unit has the needed 31 punches plus 2 dummy punches for balanced operation

NOUN, COUNTABLE	set size	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
width in points of an 18-unit character or quad in a particular face and size

NOUN, COUNTABLE	sight gauge	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
enables operator to align characters on body better than 0.0005" from standard

NOUN, COUNTABLE	stopbar	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
a stopbar gives the keyboard mechanism the unit advance needed for a particular row of an arrangmnt

NOUN, COUNTABLE	stopbar frame	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
device carrying the set of stop bars. Inserted into keyboard. Stopbar code stated in Unit Arrangemt

NOUN, COUNTABLE	Supercaster . . . 2	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
typecasting system developed by Monotype: adjunct to their composition system

NOUN, COUNTABLE	unit arrangement	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
specification of which character-widths will go into which matrix-c ase row: includes stopbar code

NOUN, COUNTABLE	unit of width	MONOTYPE COMPOSITION CASTER
the set-size is divided into 18 units: characters specified to be so-many units, normal minimum 3

Persons wishing to use these are asked to contact the author at Melbourne Museum of Printing.

Comments and suggestions about terms and definitions will be very welcome.

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