In mixing the materials, add the dark color sparingly at first, for it is
easier to add more, if necessary, than to take away, as in making a dark
color lighter, you increase its bulk considerably.

GOLD LEAF PRINTING.

Gold leaf printing requires much more care than bronze printing, but if
properly managed will be found to be a great improvement. Ink should be
made of chrome yellow, mixed with Venice turpentine, virgin wax and
varnish. Cut the gold leaf into slips a shade wider than the lines it is
to cover, ink the form in the usual way, and pull a sheet; then lay on the
gold leaf with no great harm. Some colors will not keep at all, and
others deposit at the bottom of the can almost all their solid
ingredients. It is not easy to alter this, but colza oil will at least
prevent the surface skinning over.

TO PREVENT COLORED INKS FROM BECOMING HARD.

Red and some other colored inks are often found to become so hard in a few
weeks after the can has been opened that the knife can scarcely be got
into them, and they cannot be got to work at all. Oil, varnish and
turpentine are of no use in such a case; the remedy is paraffine oil mixed
well up with the old ink. Many prefer paraffine oil rather than boiled oil
or turps for thinning down both black and colored inks.

TO KEEP COLORED INKS FROM SKINNING.

Colored inks can be kept from "skinning" by pouring a little oil or water
on the top and closing the can tightly.

HOW TO REMOVE COLORED INKS.

Benzine is a powerful chemical preparation which may be used to remove
colored inks when lye and turpentine fail. It should, however, not be used
after dark, as it is very inflammable, and it should be kept out of doors
if possible.

A VARNISH FOR COLOR PRINTS.

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 dulln