Making copies by photocopying methods

Translucent paper and dyeline copying

It may sometimes be economical to print the stock of blank forms on paper which is translucent to ultra violet light so that it becomes possible to obtain a number of copies of the form (as completed after use) by the dyeline process.

This method has advantages when:

  1. It is not practicable to obtain the desired number of completed copies when the original entries are made, e.g. when a document is completed by a member of the public and it is unreasonable to expect more than one copy or because it is not practicable to obtain all the copies required by more conventional means such as carbon
  2. the number of copies required varies according to circumstances
  3. it is necessary to take copies of the entries on documents periodically, and when the quantity or nature of the entries on those documents varies on each occasion. For example, a ledger sheet printed on translucent paper becomes the ‘master’; the account can then be compiled, day by day, by handwritten or typed entries and whenever necessary, e.g. at the end of an accounting period, the ledger sheet can be totalled and the appropriate number of copies produced by the dyeline process to serve as an invoice or statement of account.

If translucent masters are to be prepared in manuscript, the use of a carbon black ink is important, since ordinary writing inks seldom give a sufficiently dense image. The use of pencil or ball pen should be avoided; if pencil must be used a soft degree should be selected. There are several kinds of translucent paper available, ranging from a high grade bond paper which has the appearance of an ordinary typewriting paper, to certain types of tracing paper which are much faster printing, but are not particularly attractive in appearance. The advice of H.M. Stationery Office should be sought as to the most suitable grade for the work in mind.

Note

Diazo (dyeline) paper is coated with an emulsion which is sensitive to ultra-violet light; when exposed this emulsion becomes inactive, but the parts which have been protected by the dark lines on the translucent master will, by the application of certain chemicals or ammonia gas, form a dye image. For this reason the copy is often called a ‘dyeline print’. The paper can be handled in any room lighting so that no dark room etc. is needed and the equipment is designed for use on an office desk.

Photocopying and other reproduction methods may sometimes be employed to obtain copies of forms and entries thereon.

Form with title BROMPTON HOSPITAL—REQUEST FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION (TUBERCULOSIS). IMPORTANT. Quote Full Name and Hospital Number, use Blue-Black Ink or Pencil. Surname (BLOCK CAPITALS), blank field. First Name, blank field. Age, blank field. Hospital Number, blank field. Specimen, blank field. Ward, blank field. Physician or Surgeon, blank field. Investigation Required, blank field. Provisional Diagnosis, blank field. Signature, blank field. Date, blank field. LABORATORY REPORT. Date Specimen received:, blank field. Laboratory Ref.:, blank field. ACID FAST BACILLI IN CONCENTRATE SMEAR, blank field. MYCO TUBERCULOSIS COLONIES ON CULTURE, blank field. MYCO TUBERCULOSIS DRUG SENSITIVITY RESULTS. Empty table with columns: STREP, PAS, INAH, STREP and PAS, STREP and INAH, PAS and INAH. S = Sensitive PR = Partially Resistant R = Resistant Culture Report to follow, blank field. Sensitivity report to follow, blank field. O = Not found + = Small numbers ++ = Moderate numbers +++ = Large numbers ++++ = Very large numbers LABORATORY REMARKS :-, blank field. AFB SMEAR Date Reported, blank field. TB CULTURE Date Reported, blank field. TB SENSITIVITY Date Reported, blank field.
Requests for a laboratory report are written on this form (printed on translucent paper) by the doctor; it is then passed to the laboratory where results of the tests are then added after different intervals of time; at each stage when a report is entered, dyeline copies of the whole document are made and passed back to the doctor as an up-to-date report for retention in the case history file; the original being retained and entries thereon made (in manuscript) by the laboratory staff until all the necessary reports are complete. Note the abbreviated captions and coded entries to save space and writing
Goods to be consigned to: The Director, Royal Aircraft Est., (Stores Receipts Section), Farnborough, Hants. Tender No.: LSC/G/01234X Due for return by 10 a.m. on: Monday 1.2.60. Order No., blank field. Date, blank field. Aldershot 24461 Extn: 98. Contractor’s Name, blank field. Full Postal Address, blank field. Place of manufacture/repair, blank field. (from date of order) Table with columns: Item No., RAE.REF No., Articles, Quantity, Net price delivered Carriage Paid, Total Price delivered, Carriage Paid. Row 1: Ref 2891, Article 3.5mm, Quantity 160. Row 2: Ref 2894, Article 5mm, Quantity 300. Row 3: Ref 2898, Article 7mm., Quantity 300. Row 4: Ref 2901, Article 8.5mm, Quantity 220. Row 5: Ref 2904, Article 11.5mm, Quantity 100. Row 6: Ref 2906, Article 13mm, Quantity 300. All carriage paid columns are empty. Total value, blank field. Inspection to be to the satisfaction of: The Director, Royal Aircraft Est., after delivery. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY. Ledger Heading, blank field. Demander’s ref. LSB/2/012/4/60 Cost Ident. ref., blank field.
Illustration A

The framework of the form is printed on translucent paper: the particulars of the goods needed are typed thereon

MINISTRY OF AVIATION SCHEDULE (To be completed by the Tenderer and returned marked as at 9 below by 10 a.m. on the date shown). The Tender No. must be quoted in any further communication which should be addressed to:- The DIRECTOR, ROYAL AIRCRAFT ESTABLISHMENT. (Stones Provisioning Section) FARNBOROUGH , HANTS. (Postage must be prepaid). Telephone No., blank field. (blurry small text) Large wording tender at a 45 degree angle with dotted outline.
Illustration B

The tender invitation is printed on transparent film and this is placed in register with the translucent paper (Illustration A) and copies produced by the dyeline process

Translucents from illustration A and B are placed ontop of each other to produce a more complete form for copying and printing.
Illustration C

An appropriate number of tender forms is produced, the names of those invited to tender added, and the forms despatched

The successful tenderer is selected and his name and address and the prices and costs tendered are entered on the original translucent form (Illustration A)
Illustrations D

The successful tenderer is selected and his name and address and the prices and costs tendered are entered on the original translucent form (Illustration A)

MINISTRY OF AVIATION Gentlemen, I am directed to inform you that your tender dated for the work described below is hereby accepted in accordance with the Conditions of Contract printed on R.A.E.Form 1448 (Revised March 1958), 4 oy of which was forwarded to you with the tender form. Acknowledgement of receipt of this order is required. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, for the Director, Royal Aircraft Establishment. Bills to be rendered on the enclosed form to:, blank field. The Accountant, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, Hants. Delivery :-, blank field.
Illustration E

The text of the order is printed on film, the translucent form and the film placed in register and dyeline copies taken

All combined translucents from previous illustrations come together to make one form for printing.
Illustration F

The completed order (extra copies are taken as internal processing documents) (Illustrations A-F appear overleaf)