Ludlow
Type Font Catalogue List of Sizes and Images

How is this done, Setting Hot Stamping Line Dies or Slugs?
How do you set Copy for Letterpress?

 

 

 

The Ludlow is a slug-cating machine that is a combinations of hand work
and a mechanical process.

Brass matrices (molds of the letters), are assembled by hand and put into a stick.  
The stick consists of a metal frame with a screw at one end which when tightened,
holds the Ludlow mats and spaces.

Next the operator spaces the line to the required length.  A line might require
letter-spacing to correct curing, the operator would preform that spacing by hand
at this time.  The handle is then snugged up to the line and prepared for casting.

The stick is placed over an open slot of the machine.  The compositor pushes down on the
lock-down lever and the locking mechanism holds the matricies firmly and accurately
against the mold.  Molten metal is forced up through the slot form beneath and against
the matricies (letters), and a slug is ejected.  The matricies are then hand
distributed back into there case.