Comments on: Printing Techniques: Mimeo

By: Mark Comden

Mark Comden — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 17:08:40 +0000

I always understood the stencil method were ditto masters and it was ditto printing. They were used for longer runs and printed in blue or black. The mimeo process was with a special carbon paper and the printing was typically blue. The mimeo has a great smell. I had a kit from Sears that I could use mimeo masters and print with jello. it was good for about 50 copies.

By: Suzanne S Barnhill

Suzanne S Barnhill — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:59:12 +0000

I have a number of school newspapers printed with a mimeograph machine in 1934. One of the issues includes a halftone photograph. I know that the publishers obtained a “cut” from the newspaper that had published the photograph, but I am puzzled as to how it could have been added to a mimeograph master. I would love to know how this was done.

By: SAMUEL KELLER

SAMUEL KELLER — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 15:07:52 +0000

Hi, My name is Sam Keller and I make a thermal stencil for mimeographs. I repair and restore mimeographs and spirit duplicators. I have demo videos of different machines on You Tube. These are handmade and the top can be changed to suit the machine. If you are interested contact me and I will explain the process. Very easy and quick. I have special thermal stencil paper that will work on a printer that costs around $100.00 or so. This printer will copy most anything even photos. I do not sell the printer but will tell you the printer that you need and you can order it yourself. These stencils will not work in any other type of machine. Not a thermofax or anything else. The stencils cost $30.00 for
50 stencils. 60 cents apiece.

By: Jim Pennington

Jim Pennington — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 20:43:55 +0000

The original Gestetners were stencil duplicators and the ink went through the ‘holes’ and onto the paper. Mimeograph and Mimeo are generic terms that include this process. Other processes included ‘spirit duplicating’; this process used a carbon backed paper that when typed on left an ink ‘image’ instead of a ‘hole’ and the ‘spirit’ in the machine ‘wetted’ this image so that it left an impression of itself onto the paper running through; Another process was “offset litho “. This latter was technologically and graphically superior and, until the mid-60s, out of reach of the non-trade user. Around that time, these “small offset, table-top” machines (and confusingly Gestetner started making them) were marketed into the office environments where stencil duplicators used to be. And the mimeo revolution continued. And then the fucking xerox machine came long.

By: Valour

Valour — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 20:54:45 +0000

It seems that the Mimeograph and Gestetner were two different processes although when running they looked the same. Your description seems to be a mixture of both of the processes. Mimeographs had stencils (holes) cut into the paper and ink forced through the holes, whereas Gestetners used carbon backed paper.

By: Jim Pennington

Jim Pennington — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 18:16:26 +0000

Denise:
these were books you could trace the designs from onto mimeo stencils using a scribe. Or incorporate into a page of artwork and make an electronic stencil.

By: Denise C

Denise C — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:59:31 +0000

I have acquired two old “books” from an auction. They are titled: “Master’s New Mimeo Art Book” by Masters Product Co. in Chicago which is no longer in business at the location printed. There are 80 pgs. of sketches. I can find nothing on these books. Do you have any knowledge perhaps?

By: Jed

Jed — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:38:17 +0000

Mimeo supplies are becoming tough to find. If you have poked around on the internet you have no doubt come across Repeat-O-Type. They have a page online but I am not sure they are still actively selling supplies. As of July 2010, people were still mentioning them as a viable supplier. See http://www.repeatotype.com/

A good place to go are typewriter and antique electronic forums. Sign up and post your needs and interests. People are usually pretty happy to help. Here is an example: http://www.antiqueradios.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=141915. Once you find someone willing to sell or give you supplies, you can further network to get help with troubleshooting and operating the machine. Facebook I believe has a mimeograph page. Post your needs there.

Online is good as well. Online suppliers, Ebay, and Amazon all offer mimeograph supplies from time to time. You have to be willing to search all the time and stockpile supplies.

Start calling your local churches, schools (elementary to college), military bases etc and ask if they have old supplies and equipment laying around. Hit up junk shops, antique stores and yard sales (and church sales). These are all good bets for supplies.

I have not looked as much as I should since my machine came with stencils and ink. My problem is I broke the machine and now need somebody to fix it. Again no easy task.

Tell if this helps and what you find out. I would love to hear about it.

By: chris

chris — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:46:26 +0000

I am extremely interested in the mimeograph printing process but am having a difficult time finding suppliers of stencil paper and ink pads. If anyone has any information please contact me! Any help would be greatly appreciated!