Illustration: “GROUNDING” THE PAPER.
This name is given to the process for making paper-hangings for
the decoration of the walls of apartments. The colors used in this
process are all what are called body-colors, or those which are
not transparent, but mixed with whiting or prepared chalk and a
small quantity of size to the required tint. The colors are applied
by means of wooden blocks having their surfaces so engraved that
the pattern shall project; all the pattern is not engraved on one
block, but only that part of it which is to be of one color, and the
number of blocks required depends upon the number of colors in the
pattern--usually three or four. The paper is printed in pieces of
about twelve yards in length; these are first “grounded,” that is,
colored all over with the color intended to form the ground of the
pattern, and hung on poles to dry. The blocks are applied to a sort
of sieve, with a leather bottom, on which some color is spread with a
brush, and when the block is taken up sufficient of the color adheres
to give a good impression on the paper. Each block has a register,
which produces a little mark at the edge of the paper, and serves as
a guide in applying the succeeding blocks, so that when printed they
fit into and correspond with each other.
Illustration: PRINTING THE PATTERN.
“Flock” paper is produced by printing part of the pattern in a
varnish of boiled oil and whiting, and laying the paper so printed in
a trough or tray over which the flock is sprinkled. The flock is made
by grinding shreds of cloth of the required color in a mill. This
rough surface gives a very rich and velvety appearance to the paper.