Imposing Stone

The stone on which the compositor imposes and corrects his forms. It was formerly called the Correcting Stone.

Imposing stones are of different sizes to suit the business and the situation in which they are placed, as they require a good light. Some are made to hold two demy forms, others to hold three royals. The stone should be of a firm texture, and its upper surface smooth, so as not to wear the bottom of the types. Imposing stones are sometimes saturated with oil, to lessen the friction. Their height is about three feet, and the length of one calculated to contain two demy forms is five feet, and its width two feet two inches.

The frame on which the stone rests, is fitted up with drawers for furniture — one of these is for quoins, always the uppermost, one for side sticks and foot sticks, one for broad and narrow, and one for wider pieces; — these drawers are sometimes made of the whole width of the frame, so as to draw out on either side, and sometimes there are two within this width, one on each side.

Of late years, in some offices, cast iron has been substituted for stone, the upper surface of which has been turned flat and smooth in a lathe; and when a large size is wanted, two are attached together.