Talk:Monotype system

Illustrations really needed!
While the descriptions seem quite adequate in their details, imho there's a crying need for some illustrations to clarify and interrelate the details! Nikevich 06:28, 30 October 2012 (UTC)


 * The fear for copyright-problems makes it almost impossible to add pictures. There are some at the dutch-wikipedia-site. See: and:, there you find a complete list of monotype-fonts with a lot of extra data, and a picture of a large-composition die-case (matrix-case) greetings 1947enkidu (talk) 12:37, 30 October 2012 (UTC)

To be perfectly honest, most of the description of the working of this device is as it stands almost completely incomprehensible, even when you know the basics of typecasting. Terms need to be defined, mechanisms illustrated etc. After what, well over 100 years, these things can hardly be considered trade secrets. Patients etc. are of necessity in the public domain. 82.153.111.73 (talk) 14:05, 14 May 2014 (UTC)


 * To be more honest too, the fear for copyright-problems still exist, and that fear is Made-In-America for sure.
 * There are enough manuals in my possession to make this wiki a nice book of plates. (The oldest Lanston-manual stems from 1905.) But the time to redesign all that footage... 1947enkidu (talk) 06:05, 15 May 2014 (UTC)


 * By the way, does anybody here present know about this site: www.metaltype.co.uk/wpress ??? Here is a library present of lots of manuals, Monotype recorders and a lot more. And the illustrations are as far as I know free to use. J.T.W.A.Cornelisse (talk) 18:22, 20 May 2020 (UTC)
 * to "external links" a while ago, so yes, i was aware (and thanks!) :)
 * afaik, at least some of the illustrations, and even some photos from the manuals found on this site, were uploaded to commons (not necessarily from there - there's tons of stuff elsewhere, e.g., on http://circuitousroot.com - click "typefoundry & press"). i am not 100% if it's "kosher" to upload full PDFs, because the copyright status seemed a bit murky to me. it's probably OK, but i was not confident enough to actually do it. peace - קיפודנחש (aka kipod) (talk) 16:41, 21 May 2020 (UTC)

Definition of 'Matrix' needed
A definition of the word 'matrix' in this context is needed where it is first used in the article. I guess it means a metal negative of a typographical sort?

Mike_Simpson (talk) 14:49, 2013-12-16 (UTC-6) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.179.0.14 (talk) 20:50, 16 December 2013 (UTC)


 * A matrix is readable, not at all a negative, the lead character cast from it, that is the negative of the character to be printed. 1947enkidu (talk) 06:10, 15 May 2014 (UTC)
 * i guess you are both right - the matrix is readable and not a negative of the printed character, but it is a "negative" of the Sort. peace - קיפודנחש (aka kipod) (talk) 15:38, 15 May 2020 (UTC)