Tryckform

Tryckform is a term used in Swedish to describe the physical surface or assembly that bears the image, text, or ornament to be transferred to paper during printing. In traditional letterpress, a tryckform consists of movable or fixed elements such as metal type, wood or metal blocks, copper or zinc plates, arranged and locked into a frame or chase to form a forme. The forme is inked and then pressed against paper to create an impression.

Historically, tryckformen evolved from individual movable type to more complex arrangements including stereotype and electrotype plates, as well as relief blocks. In relief techniques such as woodcut and linocut, the carved block itself functions as the tryckform, with the raised areas receiving ink. In other processes, such as copperplate or lithography, the term extended to the printing plate that carries the image.

In practice, creating a tryckform involves composing the desired image or text, ensuring correct alignment and spacing, and securing elements in a stable form for printing. Proofing and adjustment are common steps to achieve sharp ink transfer and accurate reproduction.

Modern usage: with the rise of offset and digital printing, traditional tryckforms are less common in mass production, but the term remains in use among historians, conservators, and practitioners of artisanal or letterpress printing. Preservation of old forms requires careful cleaning, controlled storage to prevent corrosion, and protection from mechanical damage.

See also: letterpress, printing plate, movable type, relief printing.