A sturdy frame covered with parchment, cloth, or heavy paper that cushions the printing paper during an impression. On a hand press, it hinges down over the form before the platen applies pressure. The padding inside it ensures an even transfer of ink across the entire sheet, compensating for slight variations in type height.
Heard on the job
Check the packing in the tympan, the impression is coming out too heavy on the left side.
Also heard as
- Tympaning
- tympan paper
- packing
Related terms
Platen
A flat metal plate that presses paper against an inked typeform to create an impression.
Make-ready
The preparatory work required to get a printing press ready for a specific print run.
Frisket
A thin iron frame covered with paper that folds over the printed sheet to hold it flat and mask out margins.