United States. Government Printing Office

“ When a proof is taken out, the reader should inform himself fully as to the character of the work, whether there are any special instructions or peculiarities concerning it, whether proof will be sent out or the work go directly to press, and get such other information as he may think will assist him; and before beginning to read he should make sure that copy agrees with proof and that the entire proof is legible. It is well to do preparatory work and take a general survey of a proof before beginning to read it. ”

“ The failure of first reader and copyholder to detect wrong figures is a serious fault; confidence in them is immediately strained, the second readers become suspicious of all proofs read by them and feel compelled to reread entire proof by copy, and many far-reaching annoyances are liable to follow. When a reader does not feel positive that figures are correct to copy, or if his sight becomes confused by a multiplicity of figures or from other cause, he should request that the proof be reread by copy by someone else. Physical weakness is not a fault ”

“ Nothing should be left for conjecture. Measurable perfection can be secured by first transcribing copy on the typewriter, and before releasing it for publication giving it as careful revision as is afterwards given proof sheets. In the end this will not only save time, but Department printing funds frequently exhausted in making author’s corrections in proof will be available for other work. Typewritten copy is always preferable, when not on paper too thin, but plain copy is absolutely essential to good work. ”

“ Compositors should take every precaution to prevent the soiling of proof sheets, as it is necessary for the reviser to see clearly every mark on the margin of a proof after it has been corrected.
Do not try to cover up or hide an accident. After a proof is read the first time, if a word or line is pied, or if a “dropout” occurs, or any accident happens to the type, it is the duty of the workman to call attention to it in writing on the latest proof sheet, whether it be a galley revise, page revise, stone revise, press revise, or foundry revise. ”

“ Compositors have no excuse for the neglect of even spacing, either when setting the type or when making corrections, and the reader or reviser who passes bad spacing will be held in fault.
A reviser must not remodel the punctuation of the readers or make any serious changes in the work unless the matter apparently needing correction is of unmistakable importance. If he thinks it necessary that an important change should be made, he should submit the change proposed to the foreman for his decision. ”

“ For the successful maintenance of a high standard of workmanship and for the correctness of the work done in the office, not a little depends upon the care, judgment, skill, and intelligence of the compositors. Indifferent, careless men are not in demand in an office where important publications are constantly being prepared for press, and where the slightest neglect on the part of those handling the work may cause serious delay and confusion in some other division of the office. ”

“ He does so at his peril, however. He must know, not suspect, that they are errors, and be prepared, if called upon, to vindicate the soundness of his correction by recognized authority. If he does not know, he should query.
When a reader is unable to decide positively as to the correctness of a date, phrase, name, quotation, etc., or if he does not feel at liberty to make the desired change because of instructions to “follow” or “follow literally,” or because he is reading a bill or law, he should query. ”

“ Recollect that one badly justified line may stop a press; a careless correction spoil the whole edition of a book.
Study the rules.—Compositors are expected to carefully study the rules governing composition. A failure to do this will show plainly in the proof. It must be remembered, however, that all work done in the office is not in accordance with the regular or office style. Special instructions will invariably accompany copy of this kind, and a compositor should ascertain when taking out copy whether it is to be set according to office style ”

“ Clear and positive rules for composition and proof reading are needed in printing offices to prevent confusion and unnecessary delay and expense. Inflexible rules for style in all works can not be given, but for the general work of the Government Printing Office the rules herein contained will be observed. When important changes are to be made, written or printed instructions will be furnished or there will be a special preparation of copy. ”

“ Every paragraph containing an alteration in a proof that makes one or more overruns must be reread as first proof. It must be read aloud by copyholder, word for word, to the end of the paragraph, or at least far enough to satisfy the reviser that the proper correction has been made and no new errors have slipped in while the lines were being handled. ”

“ In sending bills to press there are points to be watched which do not appear in other work. The open character of the pages makes the form peculiarly liable to accident, and each page must be closely scanned for faults. A press reviser must be fully conversant with all the details and peculiarities of bill work and be ready to correct or take counsel upon any seeming error of style or apparent fault. ”

“ Readers will carefully note the instructions to compositors as to spacing, division of words, etc., and never hesitate to mark when work is imperfect.
Second readers are enjoined to keep in full sympathy with first readers and copy preparers. They must always consult with the latter before making important changes in proof, and they should feel free to respectfully call the attention of a first reader to errors in style or blunders of any kind that may have been frequently overlooked by him. ”

“ The style in which correction marks are made on a proof is an element of considerable importance. Straggling, unsymmetrical characters, disconnected marks placed in the margins above or below the lines to which they relate, irregular lines leading from an incorrect letter or word to a correction, large marks, marks made with a blunt pencil, indistinct marks, a frequent use of the eraser to obliterate marks hastily or incorrectly made, are all faults to be avoided. ”

“ The marks of the copy preparer must be given consideration by all. He has probably handled the entire work and is in a position to know more about its peculiarities than the man who reads but a small portion.
GALLEY-PROOF REVISING.
The importance of revising proofs well can not be overestimated. While a reviser is not expected to read proof, it is not enough for him to slavishly follow the marks found on the proof sheet which has been to the composing room for correction. ”

“ In indexes, when the page folios overrun, retain only the first folio number in the leader line; but when necessary to save an overrun, figures may be run back to within an em leader of the words. When the folios overrunning make two or more lines, indent evenly not less than seven ems on the left, the folios in excess of even-length lines to be worked into the leader line. When the figures extend back into the leader line, use an en quad between the leaders and the first figure.
16. Never divide a word in a headline if it can possibly be avoided. ”

“ Details of capitalization and punctuation may be safely left to the printers and proof readers. It is part of their profession; they make a study of the subject, and will generally meet the author’s taste.
6. Write only on one side of the paper. When printed matter covering more than one side of a sheet is used as copy, a DUPLICATE should be furnished; otherwise much trouble is caused in cutting.
7. When, as an afterthought, new matter making more than a line is inserted, it should be written on a separate sheet and the place for its insertion clearly indicated. ”

“ A few general rules only can be given to guide the press reviser. He handles a variety of work and must decide each point as it presents itself. He is cautioned never to allow his work to get behind (calling for assistance when rushed) , but not to make a sacrifice of correctness for the sake of speed.
The following rules should be carefully studied:
1. See that galley slips connect before beginning the page or press revise.
2. See that page folios are continuous, that running heads are correct and uniform, and that the proper signature is correctly placed. ”

“ Where the last word in a leader line runs close to the rule, use en leader if space permits; if not, use a thin space, but never use a full point, excepting where a reference mark follows an abbreviation.
Unless specially directed otherwise, continue leaders across entire width of tables when the right-hand columns are of figures; when the last column is a reading column, omit the leaders from that column only. ”

“ When a bill is reprinted on account of some error or change, an asterisk is used at the foot of the first page. When more than one signature is reprinted, the asterisk follows the signature number.
20. Committee bills are always confidential. If of more than eight pages the distinguishing signature must be invented and placed on the first as well as succeeding forms. There are usually several prints of committee bills, each of which must be distinguished by serial additions to the signature, as A, B, C, etc. ”

“ The name of the introducer of a bill or resolution is carried under the title in the indorsement, in long primer caps and small caps, between parallel rules, in both Houses, through each printing until bill or resolution passes one House.
11. When the title of a bill on the indorsement makes more than two lines, indent the runovers 11⁄2 ems; center the title when it makes but one or two lines. On the face of the bill where a title makes more than one line, set the first line to full measure, centering the runover if there be two lines in the title ”

“ Copy marked “fol.” means to follow figures, italics, abbreviations, idiomatic words and expressions, and &c. or etc., but not capitalization or punctuation. The exceptions are: (1) Always spell out the & except in firm names; (2) always spell out the % mark; (3) always use “at” or “to,” as the case may be, instead of the commercial @. All orthography in “fol.” matter is good that has the sanction of any dictionary.
2. Copy marked “fol. lit.” means follow everything—caps, punctuation, and contractions. ”

“ All signatures are designated by consecutive numbers—2, 3, 4, etc.—from the first to the last. The distinguishing feature is usually the jacket number, preceding the signature number and connected with it by a 2-em dash. For some works contractions of the title are used, especially in annual or other periodical reports, forms for which can be had upon reference to the last one issued. House and Senate documents take the following signature forms:
Signatures are usually worked in sixteens, but with large pages the form of eights is the standard when printed from type. ”

“ Spacing and justifying.—The spacing of matter must be governed by the leading.
Solid matter should be spaced with 3-to-em spaces, and when about to divide a word prefer to take in.
Leaded matter should also be spaced with 3-to-em spaces, but when about to divide a word prefer to drive over.
In double-leaded matter en quads should be used and divisions driven over.
Avoid, if possible, the very thin or very wide spacing of the first line of a paragraph.
All lines of composition must be justified so tightly that they will stand unsupported in the stick. ”

“ In a series of short footnotes range the reference marks, and also the first letter of the note.
Words in figure columns.—Range all words occurring in figure columns one en from rule on right; also capitalize and use full point.
Indention from rules.—An indention from a rule means so many ems in addition to the en quad used for bearing off.
Word “number.”—Spell the word “number,” referring to quantity or things, in box heads where possible. Where necessary to abbreviate or where used in connection with serial figures, use “No.” ”

“ Figures in reading columns.—Numerical expressions in reading columns will be expressed in figures, even at the beginning of the sentence: 155 days from Dec. 1; trains 3 times a day.
Figures from or against rules.—In figure columns bear off an en quad from rules on right of figures; and so make the cast as to bear off the longest line of figures an en quad from the rule on the left where possible. If crowded, and but few figures will touch, close up on the left; if still more crowded, close up on the right. ”

“ Corrections so made are not respected by the compositor, and he is frequently annoyed and delayed in deciphering what they mean and to what they refer. In reading proof of wide tables the reader should take advantage of white space as near as possible to the error and place the correction therein, thus aiding all who have occasion to handle the proof afterwards. ”

“ Set “Calendar No.—,” on both face and indorsement of bills which have reached the Senate Calendar, in each case at the upper right-hand corner.
16. Set “Report No.” on both face and indorsement of reported bills in both Houses, centering under the number of the bill.
[It is impracticable to give illustrations of the minutiæ of headings and indorsements of bills in all their stages. Samples and information can always be had upon inquiry at the foreman’s desk. Compositors and others must familiarize themselves with the forms called for by the clerks’ notes on copy.] ”