Old-time Presses In A Modern World

Other steps in the process include composing by hand, locking the cage or frame of type, inking, proofing and printing—mostly one-color with illustrations done by woodcuts or copper engravings. Sometimes spot color would be added, to print an official seal, for example.

The ink of the past was made of water, rosin, lampblack and linseed oil, though Chauncy confesses to using Van Son Holland ink on the press. But he justifies the choice: