early days of printing


Newspapers were limited in size because of the time-consuming handset type process.
Composing rooms often worked three shifts a day to produce enough copy to fill the paper.


The Linotype was a most revolutionary change, the begining of automation.


A battery of Linotypes could replace dozens of hand compositors.
San Francisco Examiner (1940s)


More early print shops

Excerpts from the book  "Tramp Printers"

Saratoga Printing Museum
 

Pages by John Howells and Marion Dearman, authors of "Tramp Printers"
Copyright and all rights reserved.

hot-metal printers encouraged to send e-mail to:
johnhowells40@gmail.com