Learning about Type

I just acquired my first set of type on Ebay. I had a few questions about the specific font I purchased, as well as some type terms in general.

In the ebay listing, the type was listed in two groups:
- 12 pt Sans Serif Extended (1 line/notch)
- 12pt Sans Serif (3 line/notch)

Here is a photo of one set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7258790@N06/4626549971/sizes/l/

I was curious what the “line/notch” was in the description, as well as what Extended meant in the first set.

Thanks!

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It looks to me that you have bought Copperplate Gothic. This typeface exists in several different weights, and there are narrower and wider versions available as well. Extended is the wider version. The notches or ‘nicks’, are there to help you when you’re doing the actual typesetting, all the nicks should face the same way. And it’s easier to distinguish one face from the other. When you set something in Extended, you’ll see that all the characters in your composing stick have got 3 nicks, if a character with 1 nick appears in your line, you’ve picked the wrong font or they got badly distributed.
Maybe it would be a good idea to start off with reading a couple of manuals on typesetting and typefaces, you might find that helpful. Good luck!

Perfect.. Thanks Thomas!

Do you have any recommended online readings specific to typesetting?

I think Don Black has a video on utube about hand setting type. Good Luck Dick G.

Evan, depending on we’re you’re living, you might be able to follow a basic course in typesetting and printing. You can, of course, find out yourself how to do set type, lock up, print etc., but sometimes a one weekend course could help you in getting things going. By checking out this site, you will be able to download several manuals of presses, find addresses of suppliers, and see some videos etc., but nothing beats a hands-on experience. You might even find somebody in your neigbourhood, who’s willing to help you, a retired printer or typesetter.

Evan, i’m only a hours drive from you, if you want i could teach you to set hand type, my last job was setting type, i would be happy to teach you, i’d even give you a day for free. Just fly to Boston, rent a car, i’m about 1 hours drive south of Boston. Dick G.

Ha! Hilarious.. well played Dick! I would actually consider it if you could pick me up at the airport. One hour seems like a long drive :)

Dick and Thomas.. Thanks for the advice. I’ve checked out some youtube videos, which were helpful for an overview. Currently, I’m trying to track down a retired printer in my area for some hands on. I think that will be the best route to go. Also, I’ll be on the lookout for classes in my area.

Evan, If Centralia is the one in Central Washington, know it well. I was broken down there once on my way to moving to Seattle. Wheel bearing went out on the Corvair but that is a whole ‘nother story.

About an hour or two to Portland OR, Seattle or Tacoma. Plenty of printers around. If not the one in WA, do what Dick or Thomas advise.

Mike

Here’s a type description poster I designed, 18 x 24, 2 color printed on my Vandercook Universal lll.

Casey
Inky Lips Letterpress

image: Anatomy of Metal Type_Garamond.png

Anatomy of Metal Type_Garamond.png

@longdaypress

Yep! Centralia is directly half way between Seattle and Portland on I-5.

@cmcgarr

That’s a great poster! Selling prints?

Yes, selling prints, $50.00 plus shipping. Email me if you would like one. casey (at) inkylipspress.com