in the manufactory, 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, fulled, and thorn, 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 the whole with a wooden plank, and load it with a proper weight.

The method of pressing hot is this: When the stuff has received the above preparations, it is sprinkled a little with water, sometimes gum-water; then plaited equally, and between each two plaits are put leaves of pasteboard; and between every sixth and seventh plait, as well as over the whole, an iron or brass plate well heated in a kind of furnace. This done, it is laid upon the press, and forcibly screwed down. Under this press are laid five, six, &c. pieces at the same time, all furnished with their pasteboards and iron-plates. When the plates are well cooled, the stuffs are taken out and stitched a little together to keep them in the plaits.

This manner of pressing was only invented to cover the defects of the stuffs; and, accordingly, it has been frequently prohibited.

or Impressing. See IMPRESSING.