Published: August 15, 2025
“Once we have the test print, we compare it carefully with the original manuscript to proofread for any mistakes. When you’re still inexperienced, it’s better to have several people proofread, because it’s easy to overlook errors.”
We check for typos or omissions, make corrections, then do another test print. Once everything is confirmed to be perfect, we proceed to print in bulk.
Printing is just a cycle of repeating these steps.
Unlike the old small stencil printing that could only print one page at a time, this press can print two facing pages simultaneously, making it much faster. Today is just a trial run, so we aren’t printing in bulk yet.
“I am very satisfied with this printing press. I want to install the same one at Hasse’s place, so I will order another of the same model.”
“Oh, thank you very much.”
Ingo and Johan forced smiles. Zack, who only did the designs, looked displeased as if he felt left out.
There are many things I want Zack to design, but if we suddenly expand like this, it will affect a wide range of operations. Also, disputes over who profits will likely flare up fiercely between workshops. As a result, the Gilberta Trading Company, acting as my agent and mediator, will have more work.
...The real problem is that we can’t decide on exclusivity.
I sighed quietly. I highly value Zack’s creativity and design skills, and Johan’s flawless craftsmanship. Ultimately, their work would have to be split, but apparently the rivalry between workshops over profits is pretty intense.
...It would be easier if they were in one workshop.
Lost in thought, I glanced at Zack.
“Hey, Zack.”
“Yes?”
“How can you become the master craftsman of a new workshop?”
“Huh!?”
Zack’s eyes widened as he looked at me. Ingo and Johan also stared at me in surprise, wondering what I was saying.
“I thought if you and Johan teamed up to open a workshop, it would make it much easier for me to place orders.”
Since there’s no workshop that can be designated as exclusive, I simply thought we could create a workshop just for me.
“Since you two are in separate workshops now, managing profit sharing and order placements must be troublesome, right? You, Zack, are personable, lively, and full of ideas. If you became master craftsman and Johan handles production, I think that would be the strongest workshop.”
“Wait, hold on. Both Johan and I are apprentices under the apprentice contract, so we can’t become master craftsmen.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
From what I heard from the artisans, unlike the three-year employee apprentice contracts, apprentices under the apprentice contract have lifetime employment to help grow the workshop. Everyone wants to keep talented people.
“Unless the apprentice is utterly useless or causes trouble, the contract won’t be terminated. Both Johan and Zack are the main earners for their workshops, so the masters won’t give them up.”
Ingo explained this to me.
Ingo is confident in his skills and had some savings, so he aimed to become a master craftsman. Even though he was encouraged to take the apprentice contract, he continued making employee apprentice contracts with various workshops and honed his skills.
“So it’s difficult to create my own Gutenberg Workshop.”
I was disappointed and Johan nodded seriously several times, saying, “Yes, it’s very difficult.”
“I thought it would be better to create an exclusive blacksmith workshop to accept my orders since I have several large projects I want designed, but if it’s impossible, then so be it.”
“...Large projects?”
I nodded at Zack’s puzzled expression.
“Yes, could you try designing a ‘hand pump’ that makes drawing water from wells easier? I want to purchase the design, and have the blacksmith association manage the plans so anyone can make it.”
“For what purpose?”
“It’s too profitable for a single workshop to monopolize, and I think the hand pump should spread widely. Everyone struggles with water drawing, right?”