The earliest printers made their own ink and type. With 19th century advances in chemistry, ink factories developed to meet the requirements of new processes and faster machines. Typefounding became a specialist trade. ‘Printers’ engineers’ made inking rollers and tables, type cases, composing sticks, chases, quoins, foundry equipment, binders’ presses, and the printing machines themselves.
As the printing grew in scale, the supply industries also expanded. Scotland was also home to allied trades who supplied the industry throughout the UK and beyond. You can find more information on these supply industries through the links below:
