Planing down

The process of making perfectly even the face of the letters on the imposing surface or on the press table. Although a simple operation, it is seldom properly performed. The planer should be enveloped in a sheet of smooth, strong paper, and then laid carefully down on the type. It should be gently tapped in the centre with the head of the mallet. It is customary amongst careless workmen to strike the mallet at either end, which gives all the impression on one side, just as a platen would if the screws were loose at one end and tight at the other. Types that stand up rather high should never be planed after the forme is locked up; to do so would be to subject tbem to the utmost danger of being battered.