A technical dictionary of printmaking, André Béguin.
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hand rest
The hand rest usually used in print making is a piece of wood 5 to 7cm (2 to 3 in) long and 1cm (l/2in) wide, raised on both sides by a little square of wood. The hand rest is used to steady the hand when work is done on metal plates, wood blocks, and on lithographic stones since these surfaces must not be touched. The hand rest is used in order not to dirty, scrape, or spot the surface being worked, the ground, or any other delicate parts of the image.
The hand rest used by print makers must not be confused with the hand rest used by painters the latter being a round stick which ends in a kind of rounded off dabber. The hand rest used by painters is propped against the canvas to steady the hand and arm of the artist. The hand rest used by print makers must not be confused with the sheet of paper, hand shield, used by engravers and drawers to avoid dirtying the surface worked on or the drawing that has already been done.
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