Clay stereotype mould reproducing Velleyre's method of 1730.

Stereotype was invented in Germany at the beginning of the 15th century, but little progres was made until much later. In 1725 William Ged (1690-1749) designed a method of making metal printing plates which could be re-used. Gabriel Valleyre, working at the same time, used molten copper in a clay mould to produce typeface.