Flat forming machine

The flat-forming machine refers to a type of printing machine that is characterized by the geometric shape of the typeface carrier in the form of a flat cuboid. The form of the counter pressure is immaterial.

Flat form machines are all printing machines in which the printing structure rests flat on a foundation . This includes most letterpress presses , such as platen presses , the stop cylinder presses, two-turn presses or oscillating cylinder presses as well as all lithography presses and most linocut printing presses . Gravure presses for etchings etc. can also be counted in this system. However, the name Flachformmaschine has become common mainly for letterpress printing machines .

Alternatives to the flat-forming machine are the round-forming machine (high-speed rotary press) and machines with any shape (only known in individual cases from the artistic field).