Riding occurs in letterpress composition when leads, slugs, or furniture overlap instead of sitting flush against each other. This prevents the type form from locking up squarely in the chase. If materials ride, the pressure of the quoins will bow the form, causing type to fall out or print unevenly.
Heard on the job
The column is bowing because a piece of two-point lead is riding on the edge of the furniture.
Also heard as
- bind
Related terms
Form
A complete body of assembled type and blocks locked into a chase ready for printing.
Furniture
Blocks of wood or metal used to fill blank spaces in a chase and establish page margins.
Chase
A heavy steel or iron frame used to hold metal type and blocks securely together for printing.
Quoin
An expandable wedge used to lock metal type securely inside a chase.