3o8 MODERN PAPER-MAKING
required, and the extra broke made by the necessity of handling the sheets so
often. The hands of the workers are very frequently cut and scratched by the
plates, and if a slight injury is not immediately noticed, a great deal of paper
may be spoiled by blood-stains.
The crew of a machine consists of four women or girls, with the attendant
and an assistant. Practically the only papers that are now plate-glazed are
hand-made papers, and some super-quality machine-made writing and ledger
papers. The special qualities of silkiness and close texture necessary for the
smooth gliding of the pen point cannot be equalled by any other finish,
and its permanence is one of the special features of a super-quality ledger
paper.
While there will always be a certain but limited demand for expensive
plate-glazed paper, this method has to all intents and purposes been superseded
by the super-calender; the finish given by this machine satisfies most ordinary
requirements. Hand-sized sheets, both hand- and machine-made, are also
finished by putting them one by one through a pair of iron or iron and com-
position rolls, steam heated, and weighted when necessary. After a pile has
been put through, the sheets are half turned and then put through a second time.
This is a cheaper method, as two women do the work. The paper thus treated
is usually sold as 'plate-glazed'.
It may be confidently stated that only an expert can tell the difference
between a plate-glazed and a carefully super-calendered finish, and that only
when he has good samples of each for comparison.
Linen-faced and other finishes are produced by the same means as described
for plate-glazing, except that a sheet of linen of the desired texture is stuck on
to the zinc plate or laid between the plate and the sheet of paper. When the
'book' is passed through the rolls the pressure causes the linen threads to
make an impression on the paper, and the linen-faced effect is produced. The
impression is much greater when the linen is new, and it gradually wears away as
the linen becomes flattened.
These papers appear to be losing popularity at present, but they are very
pleasant to write upon.
The cost of linen facing is high on account of the amount of labour required
and the slowness of the operation, and also the high cost and short life of the
linen.
For cheaper papers an embossing calender is generally used. This con-
tains a roll with a linen impression etched upon its surface. The paper is run
through in the same way as through a calender and the process is very
quick and less costly. The result, however, is not so satisfactory. The
embossing calender may be used to give all kinds of 'finish' to paper, such