Chapter III: Act V: , Scene iv

[Sidenote: _Galley-proofs_]

When the composition (which means type-setting, whether by hand or by machine) has been begun, the lines of type are laid by the printer in a long, narrow, shallow receptacle of metal known as a galley. Type enough to make three or four pages of a book can be placed on one of these galleys. The first proof is taken from this type, and hence is known as a galley-proof. After several galleys have been filled with type (usually ten or twenty), proofs of the matter are taken and read by proof-readers, and the type-setters’ errors corrected; then new galley-proofs, with the manuscript, are sent to the author, who is expected to read, correct, and return these proofs with the manuscript. Meanwhile, the composition is continued by the printers, proofs are again read and corrected, and another set of ten or more galley-proofs is sent to the author.

[Sidenote: _Revised Proofs_]

On receipt by the printers of the galley-proofs from the author, with his corrections marked on them (these proofs now taking the name of “foul proofs”), the corrections are made in the type, still standing in the galley, and new proofs are then taken. The new proofs are known as “revised proofs,” or “revises,” to distinguish them from the first galley-proofs. The “revises” are not sent to the author unless especially requested. But the proof-readers go carefully over them to see that all changes have been accurately made in the type.

[Sidenote: _Page-proofs_]

The type is now ready to be made up into pages. A given number of type-lines on the galley are measured off, lifted out, and placed on a table. The page-heading is then set and added at the top, with a figure at the end, or at the bottom of the page, to denote the page number. These pages of type are tied together with twine to hold them fast and proofs are taken. These are known as “page-proofs,” and are supposed to contain no errors. Lest there should have been some slip by the author in his first reading, or by the compositor in making the author’s changes, the page-proofs are sent to the author, together with the foul proofs, in order that the author may see if his corrections and changes have all been properly made.

[Sidenote: _Plate-proofs_]

The type-pages are then ready for casting at the foundry. An electrotype plate for each page is made, this plate being a solid piece of metal. Meanwhile the type is sent back to the composing-room and distributed in its original cases, or melted up, because the book is to be printed from the plates and not from the type. Proofs, however, had been taken from the type-pages just before the plates were made. These are known as “plate-proofs,” or “foundry-proofs,” and a set of them is usually sent to the author. In technical books a careful reading of these final proofs should take place. Any errors should be reported without delay, as the book is usually printed as soon as these plates are ready. An author can not be too prompt at this point.

[Sidenote: _Foundry-proofs_]

Foundry-proofs are distinguished from others by a heavy, black rule around the page made by ink from the pieces of metal, known as “guards,” which are placed about the type to hold it fast while the cast is taken, these pieces of metal having taken the place of the twine.

Nearly all proofs are taken on wet paper from a hand-press, which prevents the letters from looking clean and sharp. The same is true of the proofs of illustrations taken by the printers. But if the proofs of illustrations be engravers’ proofs, they show the illustrations about as they will appear in the book.

IV

OF THE PROOF-READING

“When I do see the very book indeed,
Where all my sins are writ.”
_King Richard II._