IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN THE PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF FLEXIBLE PRINTING FILMS FOR ARTISTIC AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES; ALSO FOR PRINTING AND THE PREPARATION AND FINISHING OF DRAWINGS, PRINTING, AND COPYING SURFACES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND IN THE PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF FLEXIBLE PRINTING FILMS
FOR ARTISTIC AND DECORATIVE PURPOSES; ALSO FOR PRINTING AND THE
PREPARATION AND FINISHING OF DRAWINGS, PRINTING, AND COPYING
SURFACES." A communication from abroad by Benjamin Day, of West
Hoboken, in the County of Hudson, State of New Jersey, United States of
America.
Sealed the 17th October 1879, and dated the 18th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1879.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN THE PRODUCTION AND
EMPLOYMENT OF FLEXIBLE PRINTING FILMS FOR ARTISTIC AND DECORATIVE PUR-
POSES; ALSO FOR PRINTING AND THE PREPARATION AND FINISHING OF DRAWINGS,
PRINTING, AND COPYING SURFACES." [A communication from abroad by Benjamin
Day, of West Hoboken, in the County of Hudson, State of New Jersey, United
States of America.]
This Invention relates to the production and employment of pellicles, herein
denominated flexible printing films, for artistic and decorative purposes; also for
printing and the preparation and finishing of drawings, printing, and copying
surfaces, &c., as will be hereinafter more fully described.
I will describe the method of producing an example of the said printing films,
such example to cover a superficial area of say 48 square inches, being a film
6 inches wide and 8 inches long. I first cause to be prepared or engraved upon
wood, metal, or other suitable material, a series of the lines that are to be copied or
reproduced upon the face of the film, or a form of type is set up in the usual
manner, if type are to be reproduced upon the film. From this block or engraving
or form of type I take an impression by means of a press, or pressure, or electro-
type, or matrix in any suitable substance, but preferably in thin foil of metal, such
as tin foil, which matrix I support upon an even surface, such as a plate of metal
or glass, which is to be warmed to a temperature of from 80° to 150° F. I then
pour upon the warm matrix a warm solution of fine glue or gelatine and glycerine
in water.
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For the film of the dimensions before mentioned 1/8th of an ounce of glue or of
gelatine are thoroughly dissolved in say 2 ounces of water, or enough water to forin
an easily flowing mixture; I add 1/2th part to the of an ounce of glycerine
according to the degree of hardness required, and the whole is stirred together
when it is ready for use. After pouring the mixture upon the matrix the latter is
allowed to stand, the heat before mentioned being maintained until nearly all the
water contained in the gelatine has been evaporated, or the mixture has become set
and cool. I then subject the matrix and film to a suitable degree of pressure in a
warm press. I then remove the whole from the press, and on stripping the film
from the matrix, the film is completed and ready for use. In some cases the film
may be provided with a backing of suitable material, such as thin white silk. This
backing will first be damped with hot water and applied to the film previous to

page_text: pressing in the press, and by the pressure it will be evenly and firmly cemented
to the film. The film thus made possesses the following properties:-
(1.) Its face is provided with a printing surface similar to the original block or
type from which the matrix was taken. (2.) The face of the film is of such a
texture that it readily receives colors from rollers or pads, such as printing inks or
other colors. (3.) The film is flexible and the lines upon its face are elastic.
(4.) The film and its backing are nearly transparent, and by omitting the backing
the filin is completely transparent.
Having thus described one example of the ways or methods of producing the
printing films, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit or contine myself to
the exact methods of preparation here mentioned, as they may be varied without
departing from the Invention, but I prefer from experience to follow the method
described. Whatever material is used for the face of the film, it should bo of such
a nature that films having face or printing lines of greater or less yieldingness or
elasticity can be readily produced. On this account gelatine is especially useful,
because its degree of yieldingness may be varied by increasing or diminishing the
quantity of glycerine used in the mixture. For the backing, while I prefer silk on
account of its transparency, tenacity, and flexibility, any other suitable textilo
fabric or other material may be used, such as fine liuen, lawn, lace, paper, collodion,
or other transparent flexible substance.
Having thus described one method of preparing these improved flexible printing
films, I will now set forth some of the methods of using the same. The gelatine
film is for convenience hinged to a supporting frame. According to one method
the face of a film is produced with straight lines in relief, which are prepared for
use by rolling and blocking with an ordinary printing ink roller, and this film is to
be applied upon a stone or other suitable material having an outline picture drawn
thereon by hand in the usual way for the purpose of finishing said picture.
A bearer or frisket of paper with an opening corresponding to the outline of the
picture is also employed, or if preferred, the bearer may consist simply of card-
board strips attached to the edges of the film.
In using the film the bearer is first placed upon the picture, and the film is then
applied upon the bearer face downward, in which position the outline of the
picture is visible through the transparent film and backing if such be used. The
interposed bearer prevents the inked lines of the film from touching the picture,
but when I desire to line or shade the picture, I apply pressure to the back of the
film by means of a stylus or other instrument of any suitable form, and by giving a
single lateral sweep of the stylus (being guided by the outline of the picture seen
through the film), I produce a series of light horizontal shade lines upon the
picture. By giving increased pressure with the stylus, the lines of the film are
broadened and heavier lines are produced. By giving alternating light and heavy
pressure with the stylus, swelled lines are produced, and by giving a sidewise
pressure or side push to the stylus, I produce wave lines. Thus by means of one
and the same film by simply varying the degree and direction of pressure with the
stylus upon such parts of the film as I desire, I instantly produce light or heavy
lines, or swelled or waved shading lines, or varying combinations thereof as desired.
To produce such lines accurately by hand drawing in the usual manner by any
species of drawing instrument, or by means of graving tools in wood or other
engraving, is a work of difficulty involving much labor and the exercise of peculiar
skill, as each line must be worked out separately, care being taken not to interrupt
its continuity, and yet impart a free and graceful form to the line.
By means of this Invention I am enabled to produce these lines with the utmost
rapidity and certainty upon whatever part of the picture I inny desire. By now
changing the position of the film upon the bearer so that the lines of the film face
will stand at an angle to those made upon the picture, and again pressing upon the
back of the film with the stylus, I produce cross lined shading or hatching. To
execute good cross lining or hatching either in drawing or engraving by hand in
the usual manner is one of the most difficult, laborious, and expensive operations

page_text: It will
known to the artist, but by means of the improved films of this Invention, the
artist is enabled to execute the finest and most beautiful species of straight lining,
swelled lining, waved lining, and cross lining or hatching with greater rapidity,
doing in one hour's time an amount of work that would require a month's labor if
executed in the usual manner. It will bo understood that by the use of a single
film, the face of which is provided with simple straight lines, I am enabled to shade
up drawings having a very great variety of linings, cross hatchings, &c.
also be understood that when several different films are used each cast with a
different face or different character of lines, grain, or stipple, then a still greater
variety of finish may be given to the picture, and in fact any kind of stippling,
graining, hatching, lining, or shading may be produced upon the picture with the
utmost precision, rapidity, delicacy, and excellence of finish, thus effecting a vast
saving in time and labor in the production of difficult artistic works.
films of different colors may also be successively used so as to produce corre-
sponding prints in colors. By the use of films that are provided with lines of
different forms or fineness, a great variety of tints may be imparted to the picture.
When desired the outline of the picture may be drawn upon the back of the film,
or an outline on tracing paper may be applied to the back of the film as a guide to
the eye in manipulating the stylus.
Several
If I wish to produce a flat tint on the picture I cut a stencil in paper, and place
it upon those portions of the picture which I wish to protect from such tint, and
then I press upon the back of the film with a flat or hand stylus or instrument, or
a flat elastic block, by which pressure a flat tint will be given to such parts of the
picture as were not covered by the protecting stencil. If I wish to produce tinted
figures or patterns upon the picture of deeper tone than other portions, I provide a
flat stylus or pressing instrument of any suitable material, the face of which has
been made or cut to correspond with the desired form of the tinted figure that is to
be made on the picture, and press with such instrument upon the back of the film,
and thereby produce a flat tinted figure upon the picture of deeper tone than the
surrounding tints.
One of the peculiarities of the said film is that with its aid the finest and most
delicate impressions or prints, as well as the strongest and boldest lines may be
produced, and that such prints may be made not only upon flat surfaces and
various materials, such as paper, wood, metal, stone, ivory, or glass, but also upon
carved or irregular surfaces of every description of the same or other materials.
The said films are also very durable, and their faces may be replenished with
suitable ink or coloring matter, and repeatedly used whenever required. These
improved flexible printing films may also be used for ordinary letter press printing,
and for the simultaneous printing of both sides of a sheet of paper.
Another of the useful results of this Invention is the quick and rapid production
of printing and copying surfaces for lithographic printing, and the production of
etched blocks for printing, and of copying surfaces for the making of printing
blocks by photographic agency.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th October 1879.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN THE PRODUCTION AND
EMPLOYMENT OF FLEXIBLE PRINTING FILMS FOR ARTISTIC AND DECORATIVE PUR-
POSES; ALSO FOR PRINTING AND THE PREPARATION AND FINISHING OF DRAWINGS,
PRINTING, AND COPYING SURFACES." A communication from abroad by Benjamin
Day, of West Hoboken, in the County of Hudson, State of New Jersey, United
States of America.
This Invention relates to the production and employment of pelicles (herein

page_text: denominated flexible printing films) for artistic and decorative purposes, also for
printing and for the preparation and finishing of drawings, printing and copying
surfaces, etc., as will be hereinafter more fully described.
I will describe the method of producing an example of the said printing films,
such example to cover a superficial area of, say, 48 square inches, being a film 6
inches wide and 8 inches long.
I first cause to be prepared or engraved in relief upon wood, metal, or other
suitable material a series of the lines that are to be copied or reproduced upon the
face of the film, or a form of type is set up in the usual manner if type are to be
reproduced upon the film. From this block or engraving or form of type I take an
impression by means of a press or pressure, or electrotype, or matrix, in any suitable
substance, but preferably in thin foil of metal, such as tin foil, which matrix I sup-
port upon an even surface, such as a plate of metal or glass, which is to be warmed
to a temperature of from 80° to 150° F. I then pour upon the warm matrix a
warm solution of fine glue or gelatine, and glycerine in water.
For a film of the dimensions before mentioned one eighth of an ounce of glue or
of gelatine is thoroughly dissolved in, say, two ounces of water, or enough water to
form an easily flowing mixture. I add one twenty-fourth part of an ounce to two
fifths of an ounce of glycerine, according to the degree of hardness required, and the
wholo is stirred together, whereupon it is ready for use.
After pouring the mixture upon the matrix the latter is allowed to stand, the
heat before mentioned being maintained until nearly all the water contained in
the gelatine has been evaporated, or the mixture is then allowed to cool. I then
Bubject the matrix and film to a suitable degree of pressure in a warm press. I
then remove the whole from the press, and on stripping the film from the matrix
the film is completed and ready for use.
In some cases the film may be provided with a backing of suitable material, such
as thin white silk. This backing should first bo damped with hot water, and
applied to the film previous to pressing in the press, and by the pressure it will be
evenly and firmly cemented to the film.
The improved film thus made possesses the following properties :-
1st. Its face is provided with a printing surface similar to the original block or
type from which the matrix was taken, its back being smooth.
2nd. The face of the film is of such a texture that it readily receives colors from
rollers or pads, such as printing inks or other colors.
3rd. The film is flexible, and the lines upon its face are elastic.
4th. The film and its backing are nearly transparent, and by omitting the backing
the film is completely transparent.
Having thus described one example of the ways or methods of producing the
printing films I wish it to be understood that I do not limit or confine myself to
the exact methods of preparation here mentioned, as they may be varied without
departing from the Invention, but I prefer from experience to follow the method
described.
Whatever material is used for the face of the film it should be of such a nature
that the face or printing lines upon it may have greater or less yieldingness or
elasticity. On this account gelatino is especially useful, because its degree of
yieldingness may be varied by increasing or diminishing the quantity of glycerino
used in the mixture.
For the backing I prefer silk on account of its transparency, tenacity, and
flexibility, but any other suitable textile fabric or other material may be used,
such as fine linen, lawn, lace, paper, collodion, or other transparent flexiblo
substance.
Having thus described one method of preparing these improved flexible printing
films I will now set forth some of the methods of using the same.
Referring to the Drawings, in which the same letters of reference indicate similar
parts,-
Figure 1 is a front elevation, and Figure 2 a cross sectional elevation of one of

page_text: the flexible printing films as prepared in readiness for use, a being the gelatine film,
and b a supporting frame, to which for convenience the film is hinged; Figure 3 is
a front elevation of one of the improved films, the face of which a is produced with
straight lines in relief, which are prepared for use by rolling and blacking with ink
with an ordinary printing ink roller.
In Figure 4 c represents the outline of a picture drawn in the usual way by
hand upon stone or other suitable material, upon which outline picture the film,
prepared as above described, (or several films in succession, each cast with a
different face or character of lines, is to be applied for the purpose of finishing said
picture.
In Figure 5 d represents a bearer or frisket of paper with an opening c³ corre-
sponding to the outline c of the picture in Figure 4, or if preferred the bearer may
consist simply of cardboard strips attached to the edges of the film.
In using the film I first place the bearer d upon the picture c, and then apply
the film upon the bearer d with the face a downward, in which position the outline
of the picture is visible through the transparent film (and backing if such be used),
as shown in Figure 6. The interposed bearer d prevents the inked lines of the
film a from touching the picture c, but when I desire to line or shade the picture
I apply pressure to the back of the film by means of a stylus x or other instrument
of any suitable form, as shown in Figure 6, and by giving a single lateral sweep
of the stylus x (being guided by the outline of the picture seen through the film)
I produce a series of light horizontal shade lines upon the picture, as shown in the
upper part of Figure 7. By giving increased pressure with the stylus the lines of
the film are broadened, and heavier lines are produced, as shown in the lower part of
Figure 7. By giving alternating light and heavy pressure with the stylus swelled
lines are produced, as shown in Figure 8, and by giving a sidewise pressure or side
push to the stylus I produce waved lines, as shown in Figure 9.
Thus by means of one and the same film by simply varying the degree and
direction of pressure with the stylus upon such parts of the film as I desire I
instantly produce light or heavy lines, or swelled or waved shading lines, or varying
combinations thereof as desired. To produce such lines accurately by hand drawing
in the usual manner by any species of drawing instrument, or by means of graving
tools in wood or other engraving, is a work of difficulty, involving much labor,
and the exercise of peculiar skill, as each line must be worked out separately, caro
being taken not to interrupt its continuity, and yet impart a free and graceful
form to the line, whereas by means of this Invention I am enabled to produce these
lines with the utmost rapidity and certainty, upon whatever part of the picture I
may desire.
By now changing the position of the film upon the bearer so that the lines
of the film face will stand at an angle to those made upon the pictures (for example,
those in Figure 7), and again pressing upon the back of the film with the stylus, I
produce cross lined shading or hatching, as shown in Figure 10.
To execute good cross lining or batching, either in drawing or engraving by hand
in the usual manner, is one of the most difficult, laborious, and expensive operations
known to the artist, but by means of the improved films of this Invention the
artist is enabled to execute the finest and most beautiful species of straight lining,
swelled lining, waved lining, and cross lining or hatching with great rapidity, and
do in one hour's time an amount of work that would require a month's labor if
executed in the usual manner.
It will be understood that by the use of a single film a, the face of which is
provided with simple straight lines in relief, I am enabled to shade up drawings
having a very great variety of linings, cross hatchings, etc. It will also be under-
stood that when several different films are used, each cast with a different face or
different character of lines, grain, or stipple, then a still greater variety of finish
may be given to the picture, and in fact any kind of stippling, graining, hatching,
lining, or shading may be produced upon the picture with the utmost precision,
rapidity, delicacy, and excellenco of finish, thus effecting a vast saving in time and

page_text: labor in the production of difficult artistic work. Several films inked with different
colors may also be successively applied, so as to produce a picture in colors.
By the use of films that are provided with lines of different forms or fineness a
great variety of tints may be imparted to the picture. When desired the outline
of the picture may be drawn upon the back of the film, or an outline on tracing
paper may be applied to the back of the film as a guide to the eye in manipulating
the stylus. If I wish to produce a flat tint on the picture I cut a stencil on paper,
and place it upon those portions of the picture which I wish to protect from such
tint, and then I press upon the back of the film with a flat or broad stylus, or
instrument or a flat elastic block, by which pressure a flat tint will be given to such
parts of the picture as were not covered by the protecting stencil. If I wish to
produce tinted figures or patterns upon the picture of deeper tone than other
portions, I provide a flat stylus or pressing instrument of any suitable material, the
face of which has been made or cut to correspond with the desired form of the tinted
figure that is to be made on the picture, and I press with such instrument upon the
back of the film, and thereby produce a flat tinted figure upon the picture of deeper
tone than the surrounding tints. One of the peculiarities of the said film is that
with its aid the finest and most delicate impressions or prints, as well as the
strongest and boldest lines, may be transferred or produced, and that such prints
may be made not only upon flat surfaces and various materials, such as paper, wood,
metal, stone, ivory, or glass, but also upon curved or irregular surfaces of every
description of the same or other materials. The said films are also very durable,
and their faces may be replenished with suitable ink or coloring matter, and
repeatedly used whenever required.
These improved flexible printing films may also be used for ordinary letter press
printing, and for the simultaneous printing of both sides of a sheet of paper, in
which case suitable mechanism will be employed. Another of the useful results of
this Invention is the quick and rapid production of printing and copying surfaces
for lithographic printing, and the production of etched blocks for printing and of
copying surfaces for the making of printing blocks by photographic agency.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manuer of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. A transparent tinting or printing film formed with an elastic face in relief,
and with or without a smooth backing of woven fabric, the said film being made
thus so as to permit an impression to be taken therefrom by the pressure or action
of a stylus on its back, as set forth.
2nd. A matrix made of tin foil for moulding printing films, as set forth.
3rd. The method of lining, shading, stippling, hatching, graining, printing, or
tinting pictures or other objects in one or more colors, which consists in applying
pressure to the back of a printing film having an ink printing face in relief, as set
forth.
4th. The method of forming light or heavy, straight, swelled, or wavy lines,
stippling, or grains, or combinations thereof, which consists in applying a variable
pressure by the pressure or action of a stylus or other instrument to the back of a
printing film having elastic or yielding printing faces, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my band and scal, this Seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)
5