THE PRODUCTS OF CLAY AND FIRE 



With either process the engraving must be of sufficient 

 depth to retain the requisite amount of color in trans- 

 ferring to the ware. In using this plate the printer 

 first places it on a steam-heated stove which keeps it 

 at that temperature which allows the working of the 

 colors to the best advantage. Then he cuts a piece 

 of specially prepared tissue-paper, in size somewhat 

 larger than the engraved design on the copper plate, 

 and "sizes" it by brushing it over with a solution of 

 soap and soda. He lays this aside for a moment while 

 he smears his color over the engraved part of the plate, 

 with a thin knife, afterward rubbing the color into 

 every line of the design with a wooden rubber. Any 

 excess of color is removed with the knife, and the sur- 

 face of the plate finally cleaned with a corduroy boss. 

 Next he places the piece of wet paper over the color- 

 filled engraving, and transfers the plate to the press. 



The press is composed simply of two iron cylinders, 

 set horizontally and parallel, with a bed or table that 

 runs back and forth between them. The upper cylin- 

 der is covered with several layers of soft cloth. The 

 printer places the copper plate on the bed of the press, 

 pulls the lever that makes the cylinders revolve, and 

 runs the table between them. As the table passes for- 

 ward the padded upper cylinder presses the paper firmly 

 against the copper plate, causing it to take up every par- 

 ticle of color from the grooves of the engraving beneath. 

 The pressure against the hot plate also dries the paper 

 completely, so that it may be lifted from the copper 

 surface, bringing the color with it. It may then be 

 transferred to the ware by simply pressing it upon 

 VOL. DC. 18 [273] 



