Hugh Melville & Co.

MESSRS. HUGH MELVILLE & CO., Roebank Print Works, near Beith, Ayrshire.

    One of the most interesting industries of Scotland is represented by the above firm. The business dates back over fifty years, and was established by Mr. Hugh Melville, his brother, and others, in premises now forming but an inconsiderable part of the extensive works of the firm. The present premises have the most ample facilities both as respects space and appliances for carrying on the business ; the chief operation being the dyeing and printing of silk handkerchiefs for the Rangoon market.

    There are several blocks of buildings appropriated to the different departments or processes. The first in order is of four storeys, the ground floor being fitted up with various fine washing and drying machines. Above are the offices, designers’ room, and foreman printer’s office, together with very capacious receiving rooms. The second floor contains the general warerooms and the steaming rooms, and the top flat the preparing room, where the “grey” goods are made ready for boiling. This building is about 50 by 30 feet. The next block is also of four flats, 100 by 30 feet, and is entirely devoted to stamping or printing operations, each of the four floors being fitted up with ten large printing tables. A third building is devoted to steaming, which is done in large tanks or boxes, in which the goods, when printed, are suspended, in order to “strike” the colours. These tanks reach almost to the roof. A fourth building of two storeys, 100 by 20 feet, is devoted to the storage of blocks, which are numbered and placed on ranges of shelves fitted up across the rooms. Each block has a duplicate stamped paper pattern bearing a corresponding number for the use of customers. A fifth large building of one storey contains the steam boiling plant and a spacious padding and finishing room. Other ranges of buildings are devoted to the mixing and preparation of colours and other printing materials, block cutting, and the printing of goods designed for the home market. The total staff numbers 160 hands.

    The processes in brief are as follows :—The goods, principally silk handkerchiefs for the head, are first thoroughly washed, sixty-four pieces being sewn end to end. The washing accomplished, by the aid of the special appliances fitted up for that purpose, they are dried and sent, to the printers. The printing is done by flat blocks of wood containing those portions of the pattern which are of the same colour. For special work copper and type-metal blocks are used. After the printing is complete, the grounds are dyed and the final drying and finishing process completed. Three principal colours used are orange, pink, and blue, of the fullest and brightest tone. These form the ground, and are wrought into various patterns dear to the Oriental taste. Portions of the pattern are left of the natural creamy white of the silk, and on others are impressed portions of the pattern in colours, the contrast heightening the brilliant effect. The handkerchiefs are made in pieces of eight squares, and more than a thousand pieces are turned out per diem, indicating a very extensive business.

    The printing done for the home trade is also of the highest class, including the printing of Art curtains for the London market. The business is as flourishing as it is reputable and extensive. The Messrs. Melville have carried it to a rare point of perfection and success, and their skill in hitting the critical taste of Eastern aristocrats is simply marvellous. Their long experience of the business has given them a rare mastery of its requirements ; for the rest, it is perfectly evident, they are not likely to be found wanting.

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