zinc-block

A printer carefully inspects a zinc-block before placing it on the press.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A block of zinc metal: "zinc-block" refers to a solid piece of zinc, often used in printing or engraving processes.
   • A printing plate: In the printing industry, a "zinc-block" is a specially prepared block of zinc coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, used to create relief images for letterpress printing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The printer prepared a zinc-block for the illustration in the book. (A zinc plate used in printing.)
  • The artist etched the design directly onto the zinc-block. (A solid piece of zinc used for engraving.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make a zinc-block": to create a printing plate from a zinc block.

  • The engraver made a zinc-block of the company logo. (Produced a printing plate from zinc.)

• "to use a zinc-block": to employ a zinc plate in a printing process.

  • They used a zinc-block for the high-quality image reproduction. (Employed a zinc plate for printing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Zinc (n): a bluish-white metallic element.

  • Zinc is used in galvanizing steel. (The metal itself.)

• Block (n): a solid piece of material.

  • The printer carved the design into a wooden block. (A general term for a solid piece.)

• Zincography (n): the art or process of engraving on zinc.

  • Zincography was a common technique in the 19th century. (The method using zinc blocks.)

Synonyms

• Zinc plate: a flat piece of zinc used similarly.
• Engraving block: a block used for engraving, often made of zinc or other metals.

Phrasal Verbs

(No common phrasal verbs are associated with "zinc-block".)

Related Idioms

(No common idioms are associated with "zinc-block".)