Polisher.—A steel instrument for giving a gloss to the leather after finishing.
Press.—Of various kinds, viz, lying, cutting, standing, blocking, finishing, etc.
Press pin.—A bar of iron used as a lever for standing presses; a smaller kind for lying presses.
Pressing blocks.—Blocks of wood used for filling up a standing press when there are not enough books.
Pressing boards.—Boards used for pressing books between.
Proof.—The rough edges of certain leaves left uncut by the plough, are "proof" that the book is not cut down (see also Witness).
Rasped.—The sharp edge taken off mill-boards.
Register.—The ribbon placed in a volume for a marker. A list of signatures attached to the end of early-printed books for the use of the binder. In printing—when on looking through a leaf the print on the recto and verso is not exactly opposite, it is said to be out of register.
Rolling Machine.—A machine introduced to save the labour of beating, the sheets being passed between two revolving cylinders.
Rolls.—Cylindrical ornamental tools used in finishing.
Runner.—The front board used in cutting edges.
Run-up.—When the back has a fillet run from head to tail without being mitred at each band, it is said to be "run-up."
Sawing-in.—When the back is sawn for the reception of the cord in sewing.
Sawing machine.—A machine for sawing the backs of books quickly.
Setting the head-band.—Adjusting the leather in covering so as to form a kind of cap to the head-band.
Sewer.—The person who sews the sheets together on the sewing press—generally a female.
Sewing machine.—A recent invention for the sewing of books with wire and thread.
Shaving tub.—The paper cut from the edges of a volume are called shavings. The receptacle into which they fall while the forwarder is cutting is termed the shaving tub.
Shears.—Large scissors used for cutting up mill-boards.
Sheep.—An old term for all common work covered in sheep-skin.
Signature.—The letter or figure under the footline of the first page of each sheet, to indicate the order of arrangement in the volume.
Size.—A preparation used in finishing and gilding, formerly made with vellum, but can now be bought ready for use. When used on paper a thin solution of glue.
Slips.—The pieces of twine that project beyond the back of the volume after it is sewn.
Squares.—The portions of the boards that project beyond the edges after the book is cut.
Stabbing.—The term used formerly for piercing the boards with a bodkin for the slips to pass through; more generally
