Printing
From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.
Printing is an industrial process for reproducing copies of texts and images, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is an essential part of publishing.
Printing using a printing press dates back to the 15th century in Europe (invented by Johann Gutenberg), although the technique had been developed and used earlier in China. An example is the Diamond Sutra of AD 868, a Buddhist scripture, which is the earliest known dated work of block printing. For a more detailed history of printing, see the printing press article.
Books are usually printed today using the technique of offset printing,and occasionally relief print, (which is principally used for newspapers and catalogues).
Significance of Gutenberg
Even though the process was independently researched in China, Gutenberg's achievement in Europe should not be underestimated. He developed a variety of techniques, some of which remained in use into the industrial revolution and beyond.
- Signature on the pieces of moveable type
- Changes in the process of casting of type
- Building of the printing press
- Development of the compartmentalized box containing the typefaces
However, all of these things existed in Eastern Asia long before Gutenberg. It is possible that he heard about them due to trade with the Far East (see Silk road). Chinese scholars Lio Guojun and Zhen Rusi hold that "it appears that Gutenberg simply applied the Chinese principles to the German alphabet and introduced a few technical improvements." Some even credit another man, Laurens Janszoon Coster, with the introduction of the printing press in Europe.
However, Gutenberg's achievement should be measured not in the development of printing, but in the economic establishment of printing with moveable type. Although the process was known and used in Asia, due to a governmental monopoly on the process no similar acceptance and spread can be observed in that part of the world, as compared to Europe. Printing developed into is current form, with all its economic, cultural, and scientific implications, exclusively in Europe. Gutenberg must be credited with recognizing this potential and putting it into practice.
Computer printing
A document can also be printed by a laser printer, inkjet, or other computer printer. In recent years, computer printing and industrial printing processes have converged, leading to the development of digital printing.
The artistic process of printmaking is also known as printing, as is photographic printing.
Related articles
Methods
People
- Adam d'Ambergau
- David Bruce
- William Clowes
- George E. Clymer
- Ivan Fedorov, first Russian printer
- Johann Gutenberg
- Francysk Skaryna, first Belarusian printer
- Wang Zhen
Miscellaneous
- Anilox
- Bookbinding
- CIP4
- CUPS
- Dust jacket
- Foxing
- Geometric lathe
- Incunabulum
- Internet Printing Protocol
- Imposition
- Job Definition Format
- LaserNet
- Movable type
- National Print Museum of Ireland
- PostScript
- Presentation copy
- PrintML
- Publishing
- Reading copy
- Slipcase
- Typography
- Word processing
de:Buchdruckja:印刷pl:Druk
