Page (tying up a)

This is a very simple operation, but one that requires a certain amount of knowledge and experience to perform it properly. The proper way to tie up a page for imposing, is to begin at the left top corner of the page, as it lies on the galley, wrap the cord round from left to right, and tighten each successive round at the right top corner. Passing it round about three times, and taking care to make the first end additionally secure each turn, draw the cord tight through that which is wrapped on the page so as to form a noose, the end of which is left two or three inches out for the convenience of untying when imposed. A page thus tied, with the cord round the middle of the shank, will always stand firm and be in no danger of being squabbled while lying on the stone or letter-boards. Many compositors often pass the cord five or six times round the page before fastening it, and it is not secure then, for the very reason that they do not adopt any system, but carelessly overlap the cord at each turn; but if pains are taken to place each round of the cord immediately above the previous one, as neatly as cotton is wound round a real, it will be found that three times round will be sufficient to bind the type securely; whereas, if one of the half-dozen overlapping rounds should slip—which is frequently the case—the others naturally become loose, and many a page is squabbled in consequence. An advantage is also thus gained in imposing a forme; for instead of there being such a bulk of cord between the type and furniture, a single thickness only appears.