form question

What’s the classical approach to locking up a line with two different sizes of type (say 12 and 18 point)?

Thanks,
Preston

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Within the same line and without knowing specifics, I’d say use a 6 point slug over (or under) the 12 point word or words to make up the difference for the 18 point’s height.
This may require a non-standard length slug to be cut.
Whatever spacing it takes to make it tight and right.

I often set the full line in the stick, then pull out the larger size and put it in my slug cutter (set properly to the line length). I butt a lead (the same length as the full line will be) against the end of the partial line and make a cut. The piece which is left will be the same length as the smaller type in the line. If the large type is in the center of the line with smaller type on either side, you will have to put each of the smaller parts of the line in the cutter and cut from the lead or slug each piece required.

You could as David J. suggests, use a single slug, but you might have to add space at the top and the bottom to make the lines align properly, so three 2pt. leads would give you some freedom to adjust a bit.

John Henry

All good suggestions. Again, not knowing what you are attempting to do, the basic rule of thumb is to have the baseline of each size in alignment so you may even have to use brass or copper (1 pt. and 1/2 pt.) spacing above and below the smaller type to get it too align.

Rick

its a lot easier with a ludlow.

Thanks all.
Preston

It’s only easier on a Ludlow if you don’t care where the type aligns!
Ludlow mats center on the midline, and even with the special offset stick, there is limited adjustment. Beyond that range, the same difficuties exist as with individual types of different sizes, and all you can do is shim above and below (but to do that with Ludlow slugs the different sizes must be set on, or sawed into, different slugs).