foot stick

A foot stick is a wooden or metal wedge positioned at the bottom edge of a type form to prevent the assembled sorts from shifting during locking up and printing. It sits in the chase, directly below the lowest line of type, and provides the downward resistance needed when quoins and furniture are tightened to secure the entire form. Without it, the type would slide when pressure is applied.

The piece is beveled on one or both faces, typically at a shallow angle of 5 to 15 degrees, depending on the printer's setup and the depth of furniture being used. Foot sticks come in fixed heights to match standard chase depths, usually ranging from 18 point to 48 point or more. Metal foot sticks, often made from steel or cast iron, are preferred in high-volume shops because they resist wear from repeated locking and are less prone to splitting than wood.

Proper foot stick placement is critical. It must be positioned so that it does not interfere with the lowest line of type itself, but sits solidly against the furniture or directly against type that extends to the foot of the chase. If the stick is too tall, it will crush type; if too short, it leaves a gap that allows type to shift when locked. Experienced compositors learn to gauge the exact stick needed by eye and by feel.

Common problems

A foot stick that is warped, dented, or beveled unevenly will cause uneven locking. This creates high and low spots in the form, leading to uneven ink transfer and patchy or broken type impressions on the printed sheet. A stick that is too smooth will slip when quoins are turned; a slightly roughened surface helps grip. Printers often keep several sticks of each standard size in their cabinet, and replace those that show wear.

The foot stick is the counterpart to the head stick, which performs the same function at the top of the form. Together, they anchor the type form from above and below, working with side furniture and quoins to hold everything rigid. Without both, locking a form evenly is nearly impossible.