In older letterpress operations, this action involves taking composed metal type from the galley and positioning it securely on the bed of the printing press. The process requires careful alignment and locking down of the typeform to ensure the impression strikes the paper squarely. It serves as the final physical transition between hand composition and the mechanical printing phase.
Grab those chases from the imposing stone and set out the front page so we can pull a proof.
This phrase largely faded out as hot metal and hand-set type were replaced by offset lithography, where operators mount plates rather than setting out heavy metal forms.
Related terms
Impose
To arrange pages or plates in the correct position so they fold into the proper sequence.
Make-ready
The preparatory work required to get a printing press ready for a specific print run.
Imposing stone
A flat, heavy surface used for assembling and locking up metal type.
Chase
A heavy steel or iron frame used to hold metal type and blocks securely together for printing.