Stereotypes

By using printing plates, or stereotypes, instead of loose type, an underground newspaper could be printed at several different places throughout the country. The heavy plates were difficult to transport, so a cardboard print was made and used to create a new stereotype at the site. The briefcase with the secret storage compartment was used by someone working for Ons Volk to transport the cardboard plates.

1,300
A total of 1,300 different illegal newspapers were published. There were many local editions, and all political and religious groups had their own paper. Circulations differed widely. Some of the papers were typed and stencilled in people's living rooms and distributed within the neighbourhood.

Printed
Most of the large national illegal newspapers such as Het Parool, Vrij Nederland, De Waarheid, Trouw and Ons Volk [‘The Motto’, ‘Free Netherlands’, ‘Truth’, ‘Faith’ and ‘Our People’] were ultimately printed on presses.

Network
These papers had a large network of people at their disposal who gathered the news and organised distribution.