Pattern for Sabon (Typeface Series number: 669), 8D. Copper plate backed with lead. In original wooden tray. Manufactured by Monotype Corporation.

A Monotype pattern is a copper-faced plate bearing the shape of a right-reading character or symbol in relief. It measures 3in (7.62cm) square and 1/4in (0.64cm) thick. The character is raised 1/16in (0.159cm) on its face. It bears lines denoting clearance and sidewalls as well as figures denoting series and type size. They were made in two sizes—1:4 scale of the drawing for type sizes up to 24 point and 3:8 over 24 point. There were not necessarily new patterns made for each size. The pattern was then used as a guide when cutting punches on a punch-cutting machine.

Patterns and punches were the artefacts that Monotype created and preserved to be able to make matrices on demand for their customers. The punch was stamped into a piece of phosphor bronze that made a matrix from which type could be cast. Eighty-two successive operations, including inspections through microscopes, were required to produce every perfect Monotype composition matrix. Patterns, punches and matrices were very valuable to the company and were kept in strong rooms at the Monotype factory in Surrey.

The Monotype Corporation produced metal matrices as well as machines that composed and cast type. The user of a Monotype machine could cast as much fresh type as they needed from a set of matrices. Composition matrices were made from a remarkable collection of typefaces designed there between 1900 and 1995. It included historical revivals such as Plantin, traditional typefounders’ designs such as Goudy Old Style and original Monotype designs such as Albertus.