BLAKE SLIP Meaning and
Definition
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The term "Blake slip" refers to a specific type of printing mistake seen in letterpress printing. In the context of printing, a "slip" refers to an unintentional error where the printing material shifts or moves during the printing process. The Blake slip, specifically, is named after the English inventor and engineer William Blake.
A Blake slip occurs when a change or dislocation of the tympan or frisket, the two frames that hold the paper and ensure proper alignment during printing, causes the printing to be mispositioned. This offsetting of the paper can result in the text, images, or other elements being unevenly printed or even appearing double. The Blake slip phenomenon usually happens when the printer fails to secure or align the paper correctly before the printing process begins.
To address a Blake slip, the printer needs to carefully realign the paper or adjust the position of the printing material. It may require stopping the printing process and making the necessary corrections to ensure that subsequent prints will not have the same issue. Printers often strive for precision and optimal quality in their projects, so a Blake slip can be regarded as a technical flaw to be avoided.
Overall, the Blake slip is a specific kind of printing mistake characterized by the misplacement or shifting of the paper during letterpress printing, leading to misaligned and flawed prints.
