Joseph Papin Daily News Zinc Printing Plates

The last post showed photoengraved zinc printing plates mounted on wood. They were from 1967 and were printed as relief (also known as letterpress) prints, i.e., the words and lines of the drawing are higher than the plate itself.


Some of the plates were also unmounted zinc plates, and later, magnesium printing plates:


For example, the following page of drawings ran in the Daily News on October 7, 1969:


The illustrations were drawn on-the-scene by Joseph Papin. The first two plates below were published in the illustrations from “Scenes on the Long Island Rail Road.” The third plate was done at the same time but an alternate one was included in the paper.


The plate needed to be raised to be printed by placing a wood or metal piece under the plate to raise it to the same height as the text, as shown in the photo below of the man inserting a block that is “type high” or 0.918 inches (photo from the Dave Bagnall Collection, 1959):


Comments

4 responses to “Joseph Papin Daily News Zinc Printing Plates”

  1. Ingrid Devita Avatar
    Ingrid Devita

    Really nice illustrations and photos here including relief press and high type. Thank you.

    1. Thanks Ingrid! I have loved learning about these printing processes that are now only used in very small print shops.

  2. Brenda Scatterty Avatar
    Brenda Scatterty

    Fascinating process! Everyone in today’s industry should be familiarized with this fundamental work!

    As for the drawings, it hits me how your father was the master of subtle detail!

    Awesome post!

    1. Thank you Brenda, I really appreciate your kind comments. It’s such a difference from computer layout and design.

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