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    Nail File: Printer’s Best Friend
    February 17, 2008

    The title is pretty strange but as odd as it seems it’s very true.  I had some type that was cast “shallow” and when printing on really soft paper it was actually printing the lead as well as the type.  I know you all might be thinking ; I have to adjust my rails, I am over inking, etc etc, but that wasn’t the case because it just happened to be the letter “h” in this particular set of type (10 pt. Lydian and the defect in the type was obvious).  To solve this problem, I used a nail file to actually shave down the part of the lead that was uneven and it turned out to be a perfect solution (warning: be careful because it is easy to damage the type).  You can use sand paper, but I like the stiffness of a nail file and frankly I think it works a whole lot easier.  Plus nail files come in different diameters and shapes so im sure you can find the right one for the job.    Pictures below will show the print before and after the filing.

    BEFORE FILING

     
    AFTER FILING

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    Bookmark | Comments (1) Category: How To | By Alexandra at 7:15 pm

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    • Jody Kenney

      Ha! I’ve had this problem with image blocks, and have actually gotten out my jeweler’s saw and desecrated the blocks (it seems) to solve the problem. Your idea is brilliant, and I’m adding a metal nail file to my arsenal. For those of us who like a deep impression, we need all the helpful ideas we can get.

      Thanks, Alex. For an individual letter, this is the way to go!

    Dolce Press :: Blog is a letterpress printing resource providing designers and printers with news, updates, and how-to articles on letterpress printing and Dolce Press. Written by Alexandra Daley, the blog covers topics such as letterpress suppliers, troubleshooting, new products (social stationery, wedding invitations, baby announcements, imprintables, and greeting cards), and other topics of interest. Dolce Press is a small letterpress print shop located in Central New York (Ithaca, NY) that offers a variety of services and products including letterpress printing, offset lithography, embossing, engraving, embellishments, stationery, invitations, announcements, imprintables, and more. If you have comments, suggestions, or questions please contact us by phone (516.353.9284) or email (contact@dolcepress.com).
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