For many purposes letters bring better results than printed circulars, but without the personal touch—unless the recipient is made to feel that the letter was written to him—a letter loses its force. This fact makes the ordinary printed letter ineffective. An imitation typewritten letter makes the personal appeal possible; if it is printed from typewriter type in a color that matches the ribbon of the machine, the name and address can we filled in, and it will look like a typewritten letter.
Many printers have learned to produce satisfactory letters of this character and, within the last few years, several printing machines, designed for office use, have been put on the market. These machines are adaptations of the printing-press idea. Letters are set up as they would be for a printing press, typewriter type being used; but instead of printing from ink applied directly to the type, the letters are printed through a large typewriter ribbon. Ribbons of the same kind are used on the typewriter for filling in names and addresses, which insures a perfect match. One of these machines will print from 1000 to 2500 letters an hour.
Fig. 27. Multi-Copy Typewriter. Multi-Copy Typewriter Co.
There are two distinct types of machines, the cylinder machine and the flat-bed machine. A well-known machine of the cylinder type is shown in Fig. 26. The machine has two cylinders, one for type storage and one for printing. The type is held in slots in which it moves freely. To set up a letter on the printing cylinder, the storage cylinder is revolved until the pointer at the top of the machine reaches the desired letter, when a slight pressure of the finger on the small lever in the center moves the type into the slot on the printing cylinder. This is continued until the line is set, when the printing cylinder is moved into position for the next line. To distribute the type to the storage cylinder, this operation is reversed.
After the letter is set, a ribbon is drawn around the printing cylinder, and the machine is ready to print. The paper is fed, printing side up, underneath the cylinder. A turn of the crank draws the paper through, prints it, and discharges it at the back of the machine. Special power attachments can be put on which operate both the machine itself and an automatic feed, which greatly increases the speed.
Fig. 28. The Writerpress
Printing Machine.
The Writerpress Co.
Machines of the flat-bed type are shown in Figs. 27 and 28. With these machines the type is kept in cases, the compartments of which are arranged in the same order as the keys on a typewriter. The type is set up and locked in a chase, just as it is by a printer, and the chase placed on the flat bed of the machine.
The ribbon is stretched tightly over the type, the printing being done by moving an impression roller over the ribbon. Paper is fed, one sheet at a time, against the paper guide, and the roller, passing over, produces the desired printing impression. When the roller is returned, the sheet is automatically ejected and counted. The pressure and shade of the printing are regulated by the adjustment of impression screws.