PRESSING, in the manufactures, is the violently squeezing a cloth, stuff, &c. to render it smooth and glossy.
There are two methods of pressing, viz. cold and hot.
As to the former, or cold pressing: After the stuff has been scoured, full, and shorn, it is folded square in equal plaits, and a skin of vellum or pasteboard put between each plait. Over the whole is laid a square wooden plank, and so put into the press, which is screwed down tight by means of a lever. After it has lain a sufficient time in the press, they take it out, removing the pasteboards, and lay it up to keep. Some only lay the stuff on a firm table after plaiting and pasteboarding, cover
pressing cover the whole with a wooden plank, and load it with a proper weight.