Matrix (printing)

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Individual matrices, or mats, part of a font of characters loaded into a matrix-case.

A font of matrices loaded into a matrix-case ready for insertion into a Monotype composition casting machine.

In hot metal typesetting, a matrix (often abbreviated to "mat") is a mould for casting the letters known as sorts used in letterpress printing.

In letterpress typography the matrix of one letter is inserted into the bottom of a hand mould, the mould is locked and molten type metal is poured into a straight-sided vertical cavity above the matrix. When the metal has cooled and solidified the mould is unlocked and a newly-cast metal sort is removed, ready for composition with other sorts.

In continuous casting and composition casting typography, the mats for a complete font are loaded into a matrix-case and inserted into a casting machine, which casts the required sorts for a page composition automatically. The science-fiction film 'The Matrix' is based around this concept.

[edit] See also

• Font
• History of western typography
• Movable type
• Sort (typesetting)
• Type casting (typography)

[edit] References

• Man, John The Gutenberg Revolution:The story of a genius that changed the world (c) 2002 Headline Book Publishing, a division of Hodder Headline, London. ISBN 0-7472-4504-5. A detailed examination of Gutenberg's life and invention interwoven with the underlying social and religious upheaval of Medieval Europe on the eve of the Renaissance.