Letterpress forme

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About Letterpress forme

A forme in letterpress printing – also known as a lockup or composition – is an arrangement of printing material and accompanying spacing material from which prints are made. The main goal of the arrangement is to keep the type and other printing material firmly in place throughout printing.

The composition of an exemplary forme can be an elaborate undertaking, requiring tedious measurement and complex spacial problem solving. It is one of the most under-appreciated aspects of letterpress printing.

This group is for photos of such compositions, whether they are on the flatbed of a proofing press, in an iron chase, or tied up in a galley.

Image submissions don't necessarily need to present ideal lockups (in fact, impromptu composition can be quite creative and entertaining), but straight on shots of solid compositions are always appreciated.