The process of electrotyping is as follows: The form is locked up very
tightly, and is then coated with a surface of graphite, commonly known
as blacklead, but it is a misnomer. This is put on with a brush, and
may be done very evenly and speedily by a machine in which the brush
is reciprocated over the type by hand-wheel, crank, and pitman. A
soft brush and very finely powdered graphite are used; the superfluous
powder being removed, and the face of the type cleaned by the palm of
the hand.