A perfectly flat, rigid work surface used in letterpress printing for arranging pages of metal type and locking them into a chase. Originally made of smooth marble or limestone, later versions were cast iron or steel but kept the traditional name. The heavy, flat surface ensures all type characters sit perfectly level before printing.
Heard on the job
Slide that galley over to the imposing stone so we can lock up the form for the morning run.
Also heard as
- stone
- imposing table