Letterpress type takes shape one small piece at a time. One hand supports the composing stick while the other places a single metal sort beside its neighbors. The raised printing faces sit in a straight row inside the metal holder, with the wooden type case keeping spare pieces separated below.

A large carved ampersand printing block brings another scale and material into the scene. Its honey-colored face contrasts with the dull steel, dark ink traces and pale spacing strips. Raking light makes the tiny relief and scratched edges easy to see. The close overhead view concentrates on a precise physical task, allowing fingertips, tools and compartments to explain the work.