Beating

Before the use of rollers, when balls were employed, the process of inking the type was called beating. It formed a very important part of a Pressman’s business, the great object being to secure uniformity of colour. The plan adopted was to lay the balls on the left-hand near corner of the forme while the tympan was being lifted; they were then carried over to the near right-hand corner.

In beating over the forme the elbows had to be kept rather inward and the ball-stock handle inclining outward, in order that the balls might be perfectly upright. The beater then went up the right-hand side of the forme and returned, leaving off at the left-hand near corner, taking care to make the forme feel the force of the balls by beating hard and close. The balls were kept constantly turning round in the hands.