IMPROVEMENTS IN DECORATIVE OR COLOR PRINTING AND EMBOSSING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Evan Jefferies, of Canynge Buildings, Redcliff
Street, Bristol, for the Invention of" IMPROVEMENTS IN DECORATIVE OR COLOR
PRINTING AND EMBOSSING."
Sealed the 23rd September 1876, and dated the 13th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Evan Jefferies at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th July 1876.
JAMES EVAN JEFFERIES, of Canynge Buildings, Redcliff Street, Bristol.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DECORATIVE OR COLOR PRINTING AND EMBOSSING."
This Invention has for its object improvements in decorative or color printing
and embossing.
When I wish to print in two colors and to emboss all at one operation I employ
a slab on which is spread one of the colors. Over this I place a surface which is
perforated according to the pattern a sheet of metal of a thickness corresponding
to the depth of embossing required is suitable. The upper side of the perforated
sheet has the second color applied to it. The paper or material to be printed and
embossed is then laid on, and is subjected to pressure, which drives it into the
perforations and makes it take the color. The result is an embossed pattern the
raised portions of which are colored by contact with the slab whilst the recessed
portions are differentially colored by contact with the perforated surface. Between
the two colors a line is left white, or of the color of the paper or material which
is being printed, and the width of this line is dependent on the thickness of the
perforated sheet and on the pressure.
A further effect may be produced by recessing or indenting parts of the perforated
sheet so that in parts it may not take the color although there is no hole to allow
the paper or material being printed to come into contact with the colored slab
beneath. Or in other ways the color may be confined to parts only of the per-
forated surface.
When a simple relief printing is required the perforated surface is not colored.
Or again the perforated surface may be colored and the color left off from the slab
or surface beneath. Or two or more perforated and colored surfaces may be
employed one over the other with or without a colored slab beneath.
In some cases where a permanent embossing is not required the perforated sheet
or sheets may be very thin, and such embossing as it produces may be subsequently
obliterated by pressure.

page_text: In some cases also in place-of coloring the lower slab uniformly over its surface
the slab may have a lined or other pattern upon it, or it may be roughly colored
with several different colors, the accuracy of the design being given by the perforated
surface laid upon it.
The perforated surface or surfaces may also receive two or more colors on different
parts of the same surface at distances apart sufficient to prevent any risk of the
colors running together.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Evan Jefferies in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
January 1877.
JAMES EVAN JEFFERIES, of Canynge Buildings, Redcliff Street, Bristol.
PROVEMENTS IN DECORATIVE OR COLOR PRINTING AND EMBOSSING."
"Ia-
This Invention has for its object improvements in decorative or color printing
and embossing.
When I wish to print in two colors and to emboss all at one operation, I employ
a slab on which is spread one of the colors. Over this I place a surface which is
perforated according to the pattern a sheet of metal of a thickness corresponding to
the depth of embossing required is suitable. The upper side of the perforated sheet
has the second color applied to it. The paper or material to be printed and em-
bossed is then laid on and is subjected to pressure which drives it into the perfora-
tions and makes it take the color. The result is an embossed pattern the raised
portions of which are colored by contact with the slab, whilst the recessed portions
are differently colored by contact with the perforated surface. Between the two
colors a line is left white or of the color of the paper or material which is being
printed, and the width of this line is dependent on the thickness of the perforated
sheet and on the pressure.
A further effect may be produced by recessing or indenting parts of the perforated
sheet so that in parts it may not take the color, although there is no hole to allow
the paper or material being printed to come into contact with the colored slab
beneath. Or in other ways the color may be confined to parts only of the perforated
surface.
When a simple relief printing is required the perforated surface is not colored.
Or again the perforated surface may be colored, and the color left off from the slab
or surface beneath. Or two or more perforated and colored surfaces may be em-
ployed one over the other with or without a colored slab beneath.
In some cases where a permanent embossing is not required, the perforated sheet
or sheets may be very thin, and such embossing as it produces may be subsequently
obliterated by pressure.
In some cases also in place of coloring the lower slab uniformialy over its surface
the slab may have a lined or other pattern upon it, or it may be roughly colored
with several different colors, the accuracy of the design being given by the per-
forated surface laid upon it.
The perforated surface or surfaces may also receive two or more colors on different
parts of the same surface at distances apart sufficient to prevent any risk of the
colors running together.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I shall proceed to describe
variations of which it is susceptible, in so doing I shall speak of the perforated
surface simply as the "perforate" by which I intend to imply a perforated sheet of
metal, paper, or other material or any suitable surface perforated according to a
pattern either artificial or natural and employed in the manner which I describe,
and although not accurately within the meaning of the word.
I shall also include a shaped surface (say like the letter T) cut out to a pattern
where the same is employed in the same way as I describe in respect to the "per-

page_text: forates" properly so called. I shall also use the word " pad" to mean a soft
yeilding surface, it may be of india-rubber or of several thicknesses of woven fabric
or of printers' roller composition or such like, or where delicate pressures are
required an air tight bag filled with air or water may be used as a pad.
I shall also speak of an ink pad meaning thereby a pad charged with ink in one
or more colors. I often use strips of flannel saturated with color as an ink pad,
and where different colors are required in the pad I arrange strips dipped in
different colors side by side, and I often use many layers of flannel forming a pad
of considerable thickness and holding sufficient color for many printings.
By the word "material" I shall mean the material to be printed be it paper,.
woven fabric, or other material.
When I employ the term "pattern surface" I shall mean a surface with a raised
or depressed pattern upon it, it may be perforate or otherwise.
When I speak of printing with ink I intend also to include the application in
the same manner of gum or size or varnish or other color to which if desired metal
leaf or powder may afterwards be caused to adhere. Sometimes I emboss with a
perforate by placing the material in contact with the perforate and pressing it with
a pad, whilst the perforate is supported by an unyielding bed or surface cither plain
or having a recessed or raised figure upon it.
I also emboss with two or more heights of emboss by using two or more perforates
laid one over the other and working in the manner stated above.
Again, I emboss with two different pattern surfaces so as to obtain a combined
pattern on the face of the material, this I do by placing the material between two
pattern surfaces, one of the said surfaces being of a yielding nature, as for example,
a woven fabric, and being pressed on by a pad which drives both it and the material
into the hollows of the other pattern surface.
Again, I emboss with two pattern surfaces so as to obtain an emboss by the one
surface only at the parts corresponding with the raised parts of the other surface,
by placing the material together with a thin pad between the two pattern surfaces
and applying pressure.
Again, I emboss with a perforate and another pattern surface, either perforate or
otherwise, by placing the material between, two pattern surfaces and a pad on the.
other side of the perforate and applying pressure.
Again, I emboss with two pattern surfaces by placing a yielding pattern sur-
face into contact with another pattern surface, and the material in contact with
the other side of the yielding surface and applying pressure to the material by
a pad.
Again, I emboss with a pattern surface so as to obtain a granulated face on the
material in parts of the pattern by applying sand or such like material to the
pattern surface in the places required.
Again, I emboss from a perforate or perforates by placing the material on both
sides and applying pressure to both sides with pads.
Again, when I desire to obtain a deep emboss to avoid breaking the surface I first
crimp or corrugate the material, and afterwards obliterate such crimping or corru-
gation completely or in part by the operation of embossing.
Again, in some cases I use enamelled papers and emboss them with soft metal
plates which leave a metallic mark on the enamel around the edges of the design.
Again, I use fabric (linen especially) as an emboss relief, or other printing can
be done simultaneously, and any design that may be worked upon the fabric will
shew itself upon the paper having almost the same effect as a water mark. I form
lines in this way and so give linear effects. Common papers can be much improved
both in appearance, suitableness for writing, or wrappings in this way. In wrapping
papers, bagging, coarse canvas, and wire of certain fabric is very suitable.
I emboss and print simultaneously in the manner described in the preceding
clauses having reference to uncoloured embossing, but in conjunction with the
application of color or colors to some or all of the surfaces which come into
contact with the material.

page_text: Again, I print with or without embossing by means of an ink pad employed in
conjunction with a perforate or perforates in the manner referred to in the pre
ceding clauses.
Again, I print with more or less embossing in one, two, or more colors from a
surface block by filling in the hollows of the block with one or more colours, and
facing the raised surfaces with the same or another color or colors, then bringing
the material into contact with the block and applying pressure to the back of the
material by means of a pad.
Again, I take a perforate and attach to it letters or devices cut out of sheet metal
.or other substance, I ink the perforate and the devices on one of its surfaces I
then place it with its other surface on an ink pad, I lay the material on the
other or inked surface of the perforate, and by pressure I cause the material to-be
printed.
Again, when employing a pattern surface to print from I sometimes make the
edges bevilled, I apply color to it by pressing it against an ink pad, coloring thus
.both the face and the bevilled edges. I take a first impression from the face, then
re-ink the face with a different color, and take a second impression in two colors
by placing the material in contact with the pattern surface and applying pressure
with a pad.
Again, I lay a perforate upon a pattern surface, and ink the surface through the
perforate, I then remove the perforate, place the material in contact with the pattern
surface and by applying pressure I print.
Again, I take an ink bed and lay on or attach to it letters or devices cut out of
sheet metal or other substance, I then lay on the material and apply pressure to
print.
Again, I print from a surface which is first coated with ink and then pressed
upon by a pattern surface which causes the ink to arrange itself in gradations, the
material is then laid on the surface and pressure being applied it takes the ink
therefrom.
Again, when printing from a raised surface I produce an additional pattern by
applying the pressure at the back of the material with another pattern surface, and
the ink takes on to the material in different degrees in the parts exposed and not
exposed to pressure.
Again, in some cases I make a pile of the perforates, color pads, slabs, and
material, and so print or emboss many impressions at one squeeze.
Again, in some cases I ink the material, then emboss and print other color on it
whilst it is in a wet state.
Again, in some cases I apply color to the perforates, ink pads, and color beds
by dipping.
Again, in some cases I emboss thin sheet brass, or lead, or paper, or gutta percha,
by means of a stereo plate, and print from the surface of the emboss parts of such
sheets, I cut away so as to form them into perforates, in order, together with the
surface printing, to introduce other effects as already described.
Again, in some cases I float color on a bath as is practiced in marbling, and I
interpose a perforate between the color and the material so as to stop out the
color in places.
Again, when decorating with metal leaf I cover a perforate with gold or other
leaf, then I apply the materials previously sized or otherwise prepared to both sides
of the perforate and apply pressure with a pad, the leaf adheres to the surfaces of
the material and gives two effects, the one the converse of the other, sometimes I
print both sides of the same material at one time. The color surface upon which
I create a pattern may have patterns produced upon it not only for printing but
embossing from, I sometimes number through a perforate. The perforates may be
flat or cylindrical, I sometimes ink the material before hand and working in a wet
state, and I may apply bronze or other things in the deep part of an embossed
surface, I also press together two sheets of inked material of different colors with
a perforate between, and so give two patterns and colors to each, I often use the

page_text: same cylinders for both purposes of inking and impression, and by attaching a small
roller to the cylinder I wet the surface of the plate also.
Again, I print with natural and other objects by means of a soft ink pad, with
which the object is placed in contact, the material being then laid over the object
and pressure applied to the back of the material either with a hard surface or
a pad.
Again, I print from natural or other objects in the manner described above, but
first coloring the object and omitting in some cases the color from the pad.
Again, where a combination of effects are necessary as in giving the grain, the
colour, and veins of one article, I often get all simultaneously by the introduction
of a transfer of one of the effects.
Again, I print from natural and other flat or nearly flat objects by means of an
ink surface of paper or other flexible substance coated with nearly dry ink. The
material to be printed is laid on the inked surface and the object is placed either
in contact with the back of the material or of the inked surface, and pressure is
applied.
I claim my several improvements in decorative or color printing and embossing
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Evan Jefferies, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JAMES EVAN JEFFERIES. (LS.)