To make a varnish for colored prints, etc., take of Canada balsam, 1 ounce; spirits of turpentine, 2 ounces, and mix well together. The print or drawing should first be sized with a solution of isinglass in water, and when this has dried the varnish above named should be applied with a camel’s hair brush.
Repairing Battered Wood Type.
Wood type when battered may be repaired by removing the damaged part with a sharp pointed knife, and fill in with beeswax or gutta-percha.
Inking Surfaces for Color Work.
The best inking surfaces or slabs for color work at press or machine are porcelain, litho stone, marble or slab. Metals are injurious to colored inks—even polished iron surfaces give a dullness to bright colors.
How to Preserve Colored Inks.
If it is necessary to keep colored inks, the best way of preserving them so that they shall be workable after standing some time is to pour a little colza oil on the top, and securely close the vessel containing them. This oil will not generally rob the ink of any of its color, and even if it is not all poured off afterwards, its presence can do a piece of cotton wool; when dry, it may be washed in the same way as bronze. Rolling afterward will improve it very much.
How to Brighten Common Qualities of Colored Inks.
Common qualities of colored inks may be brightened by using the whites of fresh eggs, but they must be applied a little at a time, as they dry very hard and are apt to take away the suction of rollers if used for any lengthend period.