Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 223: Printing Factory 2

TL: Etude

The workshop owner approached with a beaming smile.

Manager, and you two young ladies, is there anything I can assist you with?

Just show them around the workshop and explain the printing process, the manager instructed.

Of course.

The manager nodded his head, informed Eileen and Ladi that the man was the director in charge of the workshop and any questions should be directed at him. He then excused himself due to other work commitments.

Eileen cast a glance at the managers departing figure. Ladi, standing beside her, took her hand and turned to the workshop director, saying, Please, Mr. Director, were quite interested in this place.

The director, slightly embarrassed, smiled and replied, Of course, follow me, please.

They approached the nearest printing press, where the director began explaining its structure and working principle to Eileen and Ladi in detail.

Workers were operating the machine, allowing the two women to observe a complete printing process.

The printing work involved teams of two alternating tasks: handling the printing plate and operating the machine, which required physical strength, and evenly applying ink to the paper, demanding a higher level of skill.

A worker scooped ink onto the raised printing plate using a spatula, carefully wiped it with an ink roller, then dabbed it with a special pad to ensure an even spread before using circular motions to evenly distribute the ink over the plate.

Subsequently, they inked each page of the printing plate, occasionally wiping the pad to adjust the ink distribution.

Meanwhile, another worker placed a sheet of paper on the press, closed the paper clamp above, and lowered the paper holder, paper, and clamp onto the inked typeface. They turned the press handle, moving the front part of the plate under the press, then pulled the handle to move the back part under the press. After printing, they released the handle, allowing it to spring back, lifted the press, and removed the printed paper.

Wow, thats so simple! This printing press is incredibly useful! Eileen exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly.

Her bell-like voice drew everyones attention, though they internally disagreed with her:

Simple? This little girl has no idea. Try printing 200 single sheets in an hour and see if you dont end up crying.

The director continued, Once a plate is set, we print the planned quantity on one side, then the other, hang them to dry, and finally bind and store them in the warehouse. Used plates are cleaned with an alkaline solution and disassembled into individual types.

Is this the type? asked Ladi Sertia, approaching the typesetter, Sam. She looked at the tiny metal types on the table, each smaller than her little fingernail.

Yes, yes, yes, Advisor Sertia, these are the types. They might look small, but they are quite difficult to make, the director proudly explained.

First, a letter engraver draws the letter on the end of a metal blank and removes the unnecessary metal. Then the positive mold is hardened and pressed into brass or bronze to create a blank negative mold, which varies in width depending on the letter size.

The raised metal on the printing surface is then filed away, and the mold size adjusted to accurately fit the letter into the appropriate spot in the printing frame. Next, the mold goes to the caster, who must ensure the molten metal fills every corner of the letter face, a true test of skill.

Both women marveled, Its so complex!

So, how many sheets can you print in a day?

The director estimated roughly and replied, For a standard-sized plate, two skilled printers can produce 250 to 300 single sheets per hour. If the plate is larger, evenly inking it becomes a challenge, and the speed decreases.

Our workshop can print 3000 pages a day, double-sided.

The director proudly boasted, patting his chest, Other workshops cant match our speed or quality.

Eileens mouth fell open in astonishment, This speed its indeed much faster than copying by hand.

Ladi picked up a newly bound book nearby, surprised to find it was a collection of poems from her homeland, Horn Bay.

They even print books like this here?

Oh, you mean that one! Thats a batch of books from Horn Bay brought in by the lord for printing. We dont understand Horn Bays language, so casting the type and setting the layout was quite a challenge. The lord plans to sell them back in Horn Bay. I heard from the manager that its something called Wet Extremes written by some poet from Horn Bay. Honestly, those Horn Bay folks are too idle, writing such melancholic stuff.

Ladi was taken aback, unaware that the workshop director didnt know she was from Horn Bay, and he continued expressing his opinions, Anyway, selling it back to those rich folks there is a great business. I hear theyre all dripping with wealth Ouch!

The director suddenly hopped around, holding his foot.

Eileen apologized with a guilty face, Oh dear, Im so sorry, I wasnt paying attention when I stepped forward

The director, unable to stay mad at her delicate face, waved it off with a laugh, Haha, no worries.

Eileen and Ladi toured the factory for half the day, leaving just before noon with samples for printing.

They walked and talked, sharing their thoughts on what they had just seen. 𝖋𝖗𝖊𝖊𝔴𝖊𝖇𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑.𝖈𝖔𝖒

Betty, I think this printing press is even more amazing than guns and cannons.

I agree. With more printing presses, books will become so affordable that even commoners can buy them.

The Literacy Primer and Basic Hygiene Handbook we just sent for printing are aimed at commoners, arent they? They may be simple, but theyre keys to unlocking the door to knowledge. Haha, you as the head of the Department of Education can really make a difference now.

Seeing the printing press has indeed boosted my confidence. If you had been there, that fool would have probably appointed you as the head.

Dont say that. You being in this position is just right. Let those men see what we women are capable of.

Eileen clenched her fist, I will definitely work hard.

Suddenly, she loosened her grip, as if realizing something, and said a bit distractedly, But, wont the status of scholars become less valuable?

Ladis face dimmed, but then she smiled brightly, Isnt it what we want, for more people to gain knowledge?

Youre right!

Seeing Ladi so open-minded, Eileen also felt relieved.

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