The Graphotype machine is the ultimate typewriter. Rather than stamping ink onto paper, it drives the characters into STEEL (or plastic), either embossing (raised letters) or, the most common, DEbossing, stamping characters down into the plates.

For over a century, Graphotype plates did the jobs which are done today by computer-produced labels, and were made by machines which ranged in size from small, portable manual units to massive quarter-ton electric machines run by professional "Graphotypists".

A new type of business has spring up, often behind a sign that says "$5 DOG TAGS $5" at a county fair or gun show, selling the Graphotypes' best-known product. This is perhaps the only type of antique office machine whose collectors put them back to serious work. Some go from event to event, others only do mail-order work, and there is room for everyone.

This group is a place for collectors (and competitors) to gather and talk.

MACHINE AND SUPPLY VENDORS: You are INVITED to enter the discussions and to mention special deals or newly-available machines when they come up, but please don't abuse the privilege (or the group) with frequent, routine "display ads." Once per month is a reasonable limit. Three lines of signature can give contact info and anything else you want to mention.

NEWBIES: Ask your questions about Graphotypes, businesses and supplies, or find a Graphotypist in your area.

GRAPHOTYPISTS: NO "DISPLAY ADS" FOR SERVICES! And let's not poach, if a Newbie is looking for tags, let the nearest Graphotypist "take the call." Three lines of signature can give contact info, embossing and/or debossing info, and mention special services, equipment, etc.

EVERYONE: Please be considerate of others. No flamewars, let's be honest about things, and have fun. Tell what you need, what you have to sell, what you have learned. If you have a problem with a vendor (or a buyer), this is a fair subject for discussion, but so is public defense.