How was wood type made?

[James Gareth]

This topic was imported from the Typophile platform

Hello,
I was just admiring some old letterpress wooden type and wondering how in the world they cut such perfect relief type? Surely they couldn't have simply cut the pattern by hand?

I was hoping some of the type historians amongst us could educate me.

[hrant]

Nick Sherman is your man.
http://nicksherman.com/design/Intercut/

hhp

[aluminum]

http://woodtype.org/about/whatis

[James Gareth]

Cool. Thanks for the responses! That Nick Sherman link is filled with useful information. Thanks, Hrant.