Part 2 — PLAN No. 1237. THE PRINTING TRADES

This monograph was prepared by T. G. McGrew, Superintendent of the United Typothetæ of America, School of Printing, Indianapolis, Ind., under the direction of Charles H. Winslow, Chief of the Research Division of the Federal Board for Vocational Education. Acknowledgment is due to Marden Scott, President of the International Typographical Union, Dr. Frederick W. Hamilton, and Henry P. Porter, for valuable suggestions and advice in the preparation of this monograph and to Dr. John Cummings of the Research Division for editorial assistance.

Printing as an Occupation

The printing industry is both a profession and a trade. It is essentially an occupation of intelligence, the mechanical processes of which require a high degree of specialized skill and training. Printing in the United States employs nearly half a million people. The trade is not confined to any particular locality, but is practiced in all parts of the country. The number of printing establishments in any city is a comparatively accurate index to its size and commercial importance; therefore, the competent man in the printing business is not restricted to certain localities or conditions.

The printing trade develops intellectually, as a printer must be well read in the very nature of his occupation. His work is skillful, but not extremely arduous, and the eight-hour day is practically standard. Wages in the various branches average from $15 to $40 per week, with special and executive positions commanding higher salaries.

Future of the Business

This is an age of rapid industrial changes, and new inventions may render certain occupations almost obsolete in a night. It is unwise to enter some lines of industry because the demand is lessening, the business decreasing, and the future uncertain. This is not the case, however, in regard to printing, which is a growing business. The use of printing is increasing in every field of industry. In so far as human judgment can determine, it will continue as an essential industry, and twenty years from now there will be unmeasurably more product than there is today.

Products of Printing

Printing has been aptly designated “the art preservative of all arts.” The product of the printer’s trade is so well known as to require little comment. Books, periodicals, newspapers, commercial forms, advertising literature, and other products of the press form a competent part of the business and social structure of all civilized nations, and are integral parts of the daily life of practically every individual. Hardly any other field of human activity has a product so universally used.

Organization of the Industry

Of all the trades, printing is one of the best organized, both on the part of employers and of employees. There are few strikes, as arbitration agreements are in effect, and work is seldom interrupted. The various organizations use their dues to much better advantage than in financing internecine struggles.

The employers’ associations maintain many activities for improving conditions in the business, including installation of cost systems, maintenance of trade schools, advertising service, and provision of educational courses.

The unions pay old-age pensions, death benefits, and sick benefits. They provide homes for the aged and indigent, sanatoriums for the sick, and instruction for apprentices.

All these organizations aid morally and financially in promoting education for the craft.

Environment of Workers

The printing business is entirely shop and office work. There is no exposure, nor is the trade affected materially by weather conditions. The work is more uniform in volume than in many other trades. Only a few of the processes have special hazards, and the health of printers compares favorably with that of other indoor trades.

Entering the Trade

The printing trade embraces several distinct branches, chief among which are composition, including hand and machine, presswork, and bindery. Each of these is subdivided into a number of processes. The regular apprenticeship is 5 years for each branch of the trade. Very few men are proficient in more than one branch, the nature of the business being such that specialization is necessary for both the trade and the individual.

Within the last few years, technical schools have been established which aid in training for the industry. It must be clearly understood that the schools are interconnected with the trade, and are for the purpose of adding to shop training and not superseding it. An indispensable requisite of the printing industry is thorough intensive training and experience. In common with other worth while things, it can not be hurriedly or superficially mastered. Time and work both are necessary.

Printing Courses for the Disabled

Men disabled in the war who may be interested in printing will naturally fall into two classes: those formerly employed in the trade, and those without trade experience.

If you belong to the first class and have worked at the trade, we would unhesitatingly urge you to continue in it in some capacity. Special efforts will be made by all trade organizations to enable you to do so. Your previous training and experience should not be thrown away, but should on the contrary be used as the foundation for specialization, either in your own particular branch of work or in some allied branch.

The Government is offering you the opportunity to greatly improve your ability by technical training. You can return to the trade more expert by adding to your previous experience the training of one or more of the courses offered. This will give you a better position than you held before entering upon military service. It will enable you to earn more money, and to be more valuable to the trade and to the Nation.

If you are interested in the trade but have never worked at it, there is only one right way to begin—through thorough preparation. We should consider ourselves delinquent in our duty if we did not impress on you that competency is the result of sufficient time, proper prerequisites, and practical trade experience. Printing requires a high degree of skill, speed, and accuracy. These essentials can not be acquired superficially. The Government, the schools, and the trade are prepared to furnish you this preparation, asking from you only the time and effort necessary to do it right.

The accompanying chart affords detailed information regarding the various positions for which training is provided.

Chart showing character of occupation, qualifications, requirements, and training for various positions in the printing industry.

Occupation. Character of occupation. Work requires. Qualifications. Wages per week. Hours of labor daily. Physical requirements. Training needed by journeyman workman. [43]

1. Hand compositor (ad. and job). Setting ads, jobs, and general printing, make-up of machine composition, paging, distribution, and other composing room work. Walking, bending over, standing at cases, and handling various tools, type, and other small articles. Good general education, technical knowledge of typesetting, styles of composition, principles of design, color harmony, etc. $20 to 30. 8 One eye, both hands, one leg, (if fitted with usable artificial limb), physical ability for standing and stooping, no lifting required, good hearing not essential. 1 year.

2. Linotype operator. Operating keyboard of slug casting machines for production of all classes of composition; knowledge of mechanism to operate. Work is mostly in sitting posture, rising occasionally. Operation of keyboard, somewhat similar to typewriter. Good general education, capitalization, division of words, punctuation, and spelling. Experience in setting type. Knowledge of styles of composition. 25 to 35. 8 Good eyes, both hands with thumbs, and at least four fingers, one leg and artificial limb, good hearing desirable but not essential. 6 months.

3. Linotype machinist. To make all adjustments and repairs on slug casting machines and erect machines. Work necessitates walking, bending, and reaching in the repair and adjustment of machines. Experience in printing sufficient for adjustment of machine, general knowledge of mechanics, and use of tools. Specialized training in repair and adjustments of machine. 25 to 40. 8 Must have good eyesight, two hands, both legs, unless artificial limb permits active use, good hearing. Work requires some lifting and much movement of arms and body. 1 year.

4. Linotype machinist-operator. Operating keyboard and sufficient knowledge of mechanism to keep machine in running order. Work requires all physical movements necessary for manipulation of keyboard and adjustment of machines. Combination of all essential requirements of keyboard operator and machinist. 25 to 35. 8 Requires physical capacity designated for linotype operators and machinists. 18 months.

5. Monotype keyboard operator. Operation of keyboard of monotype machine for all styles of composition. Physical exertion is about the same as operating a typewriter; operator is seated and little walking required. Good general education in punctuation, spelling, experience in hand composition on all classes of work. 20 to 30. 8 Good eyesight, both hands with one thumb and enough fingers to operate; perfect hearing not necessary. Work is light, no lifting or stooping, sitting posture. 6 months.

6. Monotype machinist. Operation of monotype caster on composition and casting type, borders, rules, etc. Making adjustments and repairs on caster and keyboard. Work is standing. Considerable walking, bending, and stooping in adjustment and running of machine. Experience in printing, knowledge of type sizes and measurements, general knowledge of mechanics and use of tools. Thorough training in repair and adjustment of machine. 25 to 40. 8 One good eye, both hands, one leg, and artificial limb, good hearing, no heavy lifting or strain; work is standing. 1 year.

7. Monotype combination. Operating keyboard and running caster. A combination of the functions of keyboard operator and caster runner. Requires all physical movements designated as essential in operation of keyboard and caster. Combination of all essential requirements of keyboard operator and machinist. 30 to 40. 8 Requires physical capacity designed for monotype keyboard operator and monotype machinist. 18 months.

8. Stoneman. Imposition and lock up of forms, figuring margins, etc. Work is standing or walking about imposing stone. Constant use of hands and arms. Expert knowledge of imposition for hand and machine folding, margins, sizes of paper, lockup job, and cylinder forms, plates, and bases. 25 to 35. 8 Work is standing, requiring constant movement of hands and arms, considerable lifting of forms. One good eye and partial hearing. 6 months.

9. Composing room foreman. Supervision of all work produced in composing room by hand and machine. Physical movement a variable factor, much of work can be handled from desk if necessary. Good technical knowledge of printing, practical composing room experience, disposition to direct, assume responsibility with capacity to plan production. 25 to 60. 8 Good eyesight, right arm, and hand, one leg (provided artificial limb permits walking), little manual labor, requires good hearing. 1 year.

10. Copyholder. Assistant to proof reader, reading the copy with proof reader for corrections. Reading and assisting proof reader. Good education, ability to read clearly and accurately. Such knowledge of the trade as will enable him to competently assist proof readers. 10 to 20. 8 Good eyesight, hearing, and articulation, one arm and hand, work requires no standing or lifting and little walking. 6 months.

11. Proof reader. Marking errors in proof sheets in composition, revising, etc. Work seated at table or desk. Good education and thorough training in punctuation and English, proof readers marks, methods of correction. Technical knowledge of printing. 20 to 30. Work seated, good eyesight, and hearing, must be able to write, no physical strain. Do.

12. Copy writer. Writing or editing copy for ads, booklets, and other details connected with advertising and other work. Desk work entirely. Good education, particularly in English and expression, ability to analyze service, and write forceful descriptive matter. Should be familiar with different kinds of printing and its possibilities. 20 to 50. 8 to 9 One eye, good hearing, ability to write, desk work, no physical exertion. Do.

13. Assistant pressman, platen or cylinder. Feeding press, assisting pressman in make-ready, oiling and washing up presses, handling stock, etc. Constant movement of hands and arms; considerable standing and lifting of paper and rollers. Must be able to feed to register, keep up color, have speed and accuracy, know how to put in rollers, keep up presses, oil, washup and assist pressman in make-ready, etc., common school education. 15 to 22. 8 Good eyesight, two hands and arms, one leg (with artificial limb), enough fingers to handle sheets, good hearing not essential, work is standing. 6 months.

14. Pressman, platen or cylinder. Making ready type and plates for printing, registering forms, mechanism and adjustments of presses, proper use of inks, mixing colors, printing qualities of papers. This line of work requires movements of nearly all parts of body; involving walking, bending, stooping, constant use of fingers, arms, and hands. Practical experience in trade, good education, artistic sense, mechanical ability, training in all process of make-ready. 22 to 40. 8 Good eyesight and hearing, hands, arms, enough fingers to handle tools and sheets, work requires standing, walking, and movement of upper part of body. 1 year.

15. Press foreman. Supervision of all work in press department, knowledge of time tickets and production records. Familiarity with the mechanical processes of the pressroom. Requires walking and supervision in directing work, also work at desk in sitting posture. Shop experience, knowledge of mechanical processes, capacity to organise production and direct work. Education sufficient to handle record forms, make up reports, etc. 30 to 60. 8 Good eyesight, hearing, arm and leg if he can walk on artificial one. Work mostly supervisory and at desk. 1 year.

16. Bindery worker. Setting and feeding folding machines, hand folding, adjustment and operation of stitchers and other bindery machinery. Operation of various machines requires use of hands, arms, and legs. Work requires both standing and sitting position. Practical knowledge of bindery machinery, bindery operations, technical knowledge of imposition and margins, knowledge of special operations, such as round cornering, punching, indexing, etc. 12 to 25. 8 One eye, both hands and arms, ability to walk and stand, although much of work may be done seated, foot control of some machines, no very heavy work, may be partly deaf. 6 months.

17. Stockman and paper cutter. Operation of cutting machine, figuring cuts, sizes of stock, etc. Supervision of stock, receiving, issuing, and storing. Must be in sufficiently good physical condition to lift and handle paper, keep record on same and operate cutting machine. Knowledge of standard qualities, kinds, sizes, weights, and finish of paper. Know how to receive, store and disburse stock, make out and handle requisitions and stock room records. Be able to perform mechanical operation on machine, figure and cut stock, trim books, etc. 15 to 25. 8 Involves lifting of stock. Arms, hands, one leg (artificial one can be used), one eye, partial hearing desirable. 3 months.

18. Printing instructor. The teaching of printing to apprentices or students of vocational classes. Proper functioning with trade in thorough training along practical lines. Care and thoroughness more essential than speed, much work can be done seated. Requires use of hands and arms while standing at case or platen press. Must be practical printer, have good standing in trade, ability to teach, careful, thorough, patient, cooperative disposition. 25 to 40. 6 to 8 Good hearing, eyesight and articulation, ability to write, and demonstrate mechanical work, no hard physical work. 1 year.

19. Cost clerk. Keeping cost records, posting time tickets, compiling statements of cost and other clerical details. This is clerical and mostly desk work which may be done standing, or sitting on stool or chair. Some walking. Good education, quick and accurate at figures, preferably a knowledge of printing operations. 15 to 25. 8 to 9 One eye, right hand and arm. Work may be done seated, is entirely clerical, no physical strain. 6 months.

20. Layout man. Making sketches and layouts, designating type and decorations, selecting paper and inks for jobs and ads. Desk work entirely. Knowledge of type faces, composition, paper and color. Have training in drawing, lettering, principles of design and be well informed on reproductive processes. 25 to 75. 8 to 9 Good eyesight, one arm and hand, does not require walking or any movement except drawing designs. Good hearing not essential. 1 year.

21. Printing salesman. Marketing the printers product, developing new business, acting as representative of the printer to the customer. Must be able to exercise all the physical functions necessary to locate business and obtain it. General knowledge of printing business, particularly of paper and engraving, type faces, etc. Should be a specialist in business development and capable of affording real printing service to the customer. 25 to 100. No fixed hours. One eye, good hearing, one arm and hand, two legs or equivalent, good articulation, good appearance. 1 year.

22. Estimator. Figuring the amounts of material; processes, time required and other factors of cost necessary to furnish prices on printing, cooperating with sales and manufacturing departments. Desk work. No physical exertion necessary, except involved in handling samples, cost records and figuring. Practical experience in printing business, informed about paper, ink, engraving and other materials and processes. Knowledge of costs. 35 to 75. 8 to 9 One eye, good hearing, one hand and arm, desk work (very little walking) no lifting, little physical exertion; estimating is a mental job. 1 year.

23. Superintendent and manager. Management of operations of plant as a whole, determination of methods of manufacture, cooperative connection with all activities of the business. Work at desk and in different portions of the plant, more mental than physical, but must be able to get around departments in control of operations. Practical information regarding all manufacturing processes, knowledge of cost accounting and estimating, ability to organize departments, plan production, direct operations, and deal with men. 50 to 200. No fixed hours. Good eyesight, good hearing, able to walk, work is mental. 2 years.

24. Proprietor. Directing the policy and operation of the business from the standpoint of ownership and profits. Work may of course be adjusted to conditions. Desk work is essential in control of business if active part is taken in management. This presupposes a knowledge of business with specialization in printing plant costs, management, sales, service, product and organization. ... All the time. Should possess such unimpaired mental and physical faculties as will enable him to conduct his business under conditions of individual case. 1 year.

Practically all specialized positions in printing are properly based on a journeyman’s experience. In the case of men who have served only partial apprenticeships, or who have no training whatever an individual determination is necessary in each case as to the amount of special education, technical school training, and shop work required to equal the regular apprenticeship foundation.

The very elaborate artificial limbs now available may in many cases enable the individual to meet the physical requirements where the above statement would indicate a difficulty. Each such case must be decided on its merits.

COURSES OF STUDY

For requirements as to previous education and physical condition for each of these courses, see chart. The technical courses are organized to afford the following training. Provision is made for individual instruction where needed, and for classes in English, history of printing, trade arithmetic, and printing design directly connected with the trade work.

1. Hand Compositor (Straight Matter, Ad. and Job)

Explanation and use of materials and equipment used in the composing room, lay of cases, correct position at frame, straight composition, correcting, proof reader’s marks, distribution, casting-off copy, styles of composition, setting bookwork, tabular matter, ad. and job work, design and layouts, and imposition.

2. Linotype Operator

The construction and operation of the several models of machines, cleaning and care of mats and machine, correct method of fingering and acquiring speed, practice on styles of composition. Proper condition of metal, machine changes, and adjustments.

3. Linotype Machinist

Construction and operation of machine, care of mats and machine, cleaning, oiling, overhauling, tearing down machine and assembling, condition of metal, detecting trouble, adjustments. Repair work, care and system of handling sorts and supplies.

4. Linotype Machinist Operator

Construction and operation of machine, cleaning mats and machine. Correct method of fingering and acquiring speed. Correct condition of metal, oiling, overhauling and assembling, changing parts.

5. Monotype Keyboard Operator

(Monotype is in two units, keyboard and caster.)

Keyboard.—Theory and operation of keyboard, cleaning and care of keyboard, work of keyboard and its relation to the caster, reading perforations, changing keyboard to various layouts, adjustments, practice on styles of composition. Practice for speed.

6. Monotype Machinist

Keyboard.—Theory and construction of keyboard, care, adjustment, repairs.

Caster.—Parts of machine, use of micrometer, sizes and handling of type, machine changes, casting of display type, borders, slugs and rules, keeping metal in proper condition, care of machine, adjustments, and repairs.

7. Monotype Combination

Keyboard.—Theory and construction of keyboard cleaning and care, work of keyboard and its relation to caster, reading perforations, changing to various layouts, adjustments.

Caster.—Parts of machine, use of micrometer, type sizes, machine changes, casting display type borders, slug and rule attachments, conditions of metal, care of machine, oiling and adjustments.

8. Stoneman

Handling of type and forms, locking up forms, imposition for hand and machine folding, study of various folds, kinds of folding machines, margins, sizes of paper, patent blocks and bases, lockups for register and color.

9. Composing Room Foreman

Composition of straight matter and display, classes of composition, methods of handling, book, tabular, and commercial work by hand and machine, make-up, illustrations and plates, layouts, design and color, paper sizes, kinds and uses, department forms of record, department systems, selection and arrangement of equipment.

10. Copy Holder

Technical terms used in printing, sizes and kinds of type, office style, reading reprint and manuscript copy, proof reader’s marks, punctuation, abbreviations, spelling, division of words, reference marks, technical copy, tabular copy. (Special instruction in English of an informational character.)

11. Proof Reader

Details of the course include book, magazine, and newspaper styles, proof reader’s marks, technical terms, orthography, book and magazine make-up, editing copy, proof room rules and procedure, reading, correcting, and revising proofs.

12. Copy Writer

Proof reader’s marks, punctuation, capitalization, division of words, abbreviations, construction of sentences, paragraphing, writing advertising copy and sales literature, planning and layout of composition, making up dummies, styles of typography, editing copy, analyzing problems of publicity and devising advertising service.

13. Assistant Pressman

Feeding stock, uniformity of color, proper handling of sheets after printing, keeping press in good condition, setting rollers and fountain, principles of make-ready on type and plates.

14. Pressman

Cleanliness and careful use of materials, theory and construction of various types of machines, setting impression screws, bearers, rollers, and other adjustments, registering forms, care of rollers, paper, ink, make-ready and running different grades of work, including half-tones in black and color, process plates, etc. Department details.

15. Pressroom Foreman

Makes of presses, presses best suited for work on hand, adjustments necessary to keep in good running order, economical ways of running, various folds (hand and machine), inks, paper, color, planning work, production forms, and department management. Arrangement of equipment. Pressroom accessories.

16. Bindery Worker

Receiving and handling printed sheets, knowledge of paper, counting, straightening, cutting, folding (hand and machine), gathering, collating, stitching, trimming, punching, numbering, padding, wrapping. (This course deals only with the simpler phases of bindery work.)

17. Stockman and Paper Cutter

Study of various kinds of paper, tests, sizes and weights, economical methods of cutting stock, equivalent weights, methods of figuring stock; care, oiling, cleanliness, and operation of cutters. Stock handling system, perpetual inventory and stock record forms.

18. Printing Instructor

Work in typesetting, locking forms, make-ready, and feeding on job presses (both theory and practical work), instruction methods and outlines of instruction for classes, trade English, design and arithmetic, visits to printing and allied plants, training as a teacher.

19. Cost Clerk

(Based on United Typothetæ of America Standard Cost Finding System.)

Analysis and explanation of cost principles and their application, stockroom systems, time tickets, job records, and operating forms for all departments, recapitulation of plant details of expense and output, compiling statement of cost of production.

20. Layout Man

Principles of design, type faces, color, paper, making layouts of work for composition, and producing harmonious combinations of stock, illustrations color, and typography; specifications and methods of increasing production, acquiring speed on layouts.

21. Printing Salesman

(Based upon United Typothetæ of America Standard Salesmanship Course.)

Qualifications of salesman, the printer’s product and market, specialized manufacturing processes, the sales department, customer and business development. Creating business, technical knowledge required, successful salesmanship, practical sales demonstrations in specialized, manufacturing, general, and merchandise printing.

22. Estimator

(Based upon United Typothetæ of America Standard Estimating Course.)

Details of estimating, including specifications, estimate blanks, figuring stock, artwork, plates, kinds of composition, imposition, presswork (platen and cylinder), and bindery details, copy, ink, engraving, plates, trade customs. Practice in making out specifications, estimating work, and submitting proposals.

23. Superintendent and Manager

Estimating, cost finding, forms for composing room, pressroom, stockroom, bindery, trade conditions, processes of composition, presswork, bindery, paper, ink, color, production methods, planning work, organization, and management

24. Proprietor

Estimating, cost finding, study of composition, paper, ink, plates and engravings, composing room, pressroom, bindery, condition of printing trades, business development, visits to allied plants, plant organization and management, sales values.