18/09/2026
活字印刷的「天書」?🪄The “Magic Manual” of Movable Type Printing? 🪄
排版在現今世代可說是輕而易舉,我們平日只憑幾個簡單按鈕,便從電腦字型選單找出符號或文字;遇有從缺的,亦不難在網上找到資源下載使用。
然而,在活版印刷盛行的時代,印刷公司若需印製特殊字型的印件,或遇上顧客指定的訂製圖案,便需向鑄字廠採購相關字粒或訂製電版,方能完成訂單。在這個供與求的採購過程中,羅列出各式各樣可供選購的字款和圖案的活字樣本,可說是當時印刷師傅不可或缺的「天書」!
本次展覽展出了本地四大鑄字行的活字樣本,把握時間前來觀展,一睹它們的廬山真面目~
Typesetting today is almost effortless: with just a few clicks, we can find the symbols or characters we need in a computer’s font menu. If a particular typeface is unavailable, it is usually easy to find and download one online.
In the heyday of letterpress printing, however, things were very different. When a print shop needed to print work in a specialised typeface or fulfil a client’s request for a custom design, it had to purchase the required type from a type foundry or custom-make a printing plate.
In this process of sourcing and purchasing type, type specimens which listed the various typefaces and ornaments available were indispensable “magic books” for printers of the time.
This exhibition brings together type specimen catalogues from Hong Kong’s four major type foundries. Don’t miss the opportunity to see these fascinating publications up close!
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圖中展品由元朗新昇喜帖印務及上水大志印務公司慷慨捐贈
Special thanks to Sun Sing Wedding Card Printing Press and Tai Chi Printing Co. for donating the aforementioned type specimens