IMPROVEMENTS IN CHROMO- TYPOGRAPHY OR COLOR PRINTING ON METALS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marie Joseph Henry Arthur le François, of 17, Gerrard
Street, Soho, London, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN CHROMO-
TYPOGRAPHY OR COLOR PRINTING ON METALS."
Sealed the 29th August 1879, and in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor,
and dated the 21st January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marie Joseph Henry_Arthur
le François at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st January
1879.
MARIE JOSEPH HENRY ARTHUR LE FRANÇOIS, of 17, Gerrard Street, Soho,
London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHROMOTYPOGRAPHY OR COLOUR PRINTING ON
METALS."
My Invention consists of a process by which printing in all colours on metals in
a direct manner can be accomplished. I produce the electro plates of any design
in the ordinary way and uso in printing from them colours and varnishes of the
usual kind as now employed. Having prepared the electro plates of the requirod
design, I then print from them as follows:-I take boards of oak or other suitable
timber of suitable thickness and cover them with strong leather or other elastic
material, such as felt. I then nail or screw on the top surface of this leather the
electro plate (of the desired design) and take or print from it such number of
impressions as there are colours in the design to be printed.
These paper
impressions so obtained are oiled and rendered transparent.
I then put these papers of the required number and place them on as many boards
covered with leather. On these papers I nail or screw on each board an electro
plate representing the separate colours to be printed. By this means I obtain an
accurate registration so that each board represents a distinct and separate colour in
its proper position, and from which by separate printings on the metal plate I
obtain the complete design. The metal plates to be printed on are rendered smooth
and suitable by the ordinary means, and when printed are dried in ovens. I thus
print direct by electro plates on metal

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Marie Joseph Henry Arthur le François in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 29th August 1879.
MARIE JOSEPH HENRY ARTHUR LE FRANÇOIS, of 17, Gerrard Street, Soho,
London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHROMOTYPOGRAPHY OR COLOR PRINTING ON
METALS."
The object of my Invention is the printing in one or more colors on metal sheets
in a direct manner with ease and facility by the means hereinafter described, using
typographic presses or machines.
Hitherto the printing on and decorating of metal sheets has been effected by a
transfer process similar to that employed in the manufacture of china and earthen-
ware goods. Attempts have been made to print typographically direct on metal
sheets, but with little success on account of the rigidity of the metal and the great
pressure required. Now by means of my Invention this can be effected with
increased speed and a greater economy.
In carrying my Invention into practice I proceed as follows:-The metal sheets
to be printed on (usually of tin plate) are smoothed and polished and prepared in
the ordinary manner. For the printing surface I use electrotype or other hard
metallic plates, which I mount in a special manner, that is to say, I place or fix
immediately under the electrotype plate and between it and the block on which it
is mounted a sheet or thin layer of a semi-elastic material, such as leather,
kamptulicon, linoleum, or the like, which while possessing the requisite elasticity
will not be materially effected either by the repeated pressure in printing or by the
washing of the electrotype plate when that becomes necessary; the thickness of
the layer of kamptulicon should be about one eighth of an inch.
According to the size or the design which the selected electrotypes represent I
mount them as above described either on a single large block or in separate blocks
maintained in a chase by furniture which keeps them in their place.
This method of mounting electrotype plates imparts to them a certain elasticity
which enables me to work with typographic presses or machines using a minimum
of pressure so as not to indent the metal sheets whilst being printed and neutralizes
the rigidity resulting from the contact of metal with metal.
I then proceed with the direct impression on the sheet of metal (previously
prepared or not prepared) in the same manner as printing typographically on paper
with colors, using the same black or colored inks, or colors in powder, and in some
cases a special ink to stand heat, such as is now used in the trade.
I then let the printed metal sheets dry, this is effected naturally by the air or by
the aid of a moderate heat in an oven; the metal sheets are afterwards varnished,
and they are then complete.
By the above described means I am enabled to print typographically direct on to
thin metallic sheets with a minimum of pressure, thereby avoiding the indentation
of the metal and executing finer work than has hitherto been possible.
Having now set forth the nature of my Invention of "Improvements in Chromo-
typography or Color Printing on Metals, and explained the manner of carrying
the same into effect I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited
Letters Patent I claim,-
Firstly. The use of a layer of semi-elastic material, such as leather, Eamptulicon,
Jinoleum, or the like, placed between the electrotype or other plate and the block on
which it is mounted.

page_text: Secondly. The printing in one or more colors by the aid of typographic presses
or machines direct on to thin metallic sheets, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marie Joseph Henry Arthur le François, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
MARIE JOSEPH HENRI ARTHUR LE FRANCOIS.
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