short cross
The short crossbar of a printer's chase.
short cross: the crossbar that locks type into the chase
In letterpress printing, the short cross is one of two horizontal bars that slot into the chase, the rectangular steel frame holding all the type and blocks during the print run. The short cross runs perpendicular to the long cross and typically spans the shorter dimension of the chase. Together, these two bars form a grid that divides the interior space and provides anchor points for the quoins, the wedge-shaped locking devices that hold everything rigid under printing pressure.
The short cross must be perfectly parallel to its opposite edge and sit flush against the inner walls of the chase. Any deviation causes uneven locking pressure, which shifts type during the run and ruins the impression. The bar itself is usually cast iron or steel, with a thickness of around 0.75 to 1 inch, depending on chase size. Its surfaces are precisely machined so that quoins grip without binding.
Positioning and locking
A printer positions the short cross based on the depth of the form being locked. For smaller jobs, it moves closer to the long cross to reduce the space needing makeup material (furniture, reglets, and leads). For larger forms, it sits further out. Once positioned, quoins on either side are tightened, and the cross itself becomes immobilized by the pressure radiating from them. The short cross bears no direct mechanical strain; it is purely a positioning and spacing tool.
Damage to the short cross is rare but serious. A bent bar or one with a stripped adjustment slot prevents even locking across the entire form width. Warping under the heat of rapid printing is unlikely with modern chases, but old cast iron bars can develop irregularities. A worn or corroded short cross must be replaced, as shimming it with paper or tape leads to drift during press operation.
The term short distinguishes this bar from the long cross, which runs the length of the chase. In a chase, these two bars create four quadrants, allowing the printer to build and lock the form from the center outward. The naming convention reflects practical shop language: the bar you reference depends on which dimension of the chase it spans.