Printing 44723 224979922 2008-07-11T08:14:20Z Lawrencekhoo 461895 {{otheruses4|the process of reproducing text|handwriting method often called printing|block letters|other uses|Print}} {{History of printing}} '''Printing''' is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on [[paper]] using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing. ==History== {{Main|History of printing}} ===Woodblock Printing=== [[Woodblock printing]] is a technique for printing text, images or patterns that was used widely throughout [[East Asia]]. It originated in [[China]] in antiquity as a method of printing on [[textile]]s and later [[paper]]. As a method of printing on cloth, the earliest surviving examples from [[China]] date to before 220, and from [[Egypt]] to the 4th century.<ref>[http://touregypt.net/featurestories/fabrics.htm Ancient Coptic Christian Fabrics from Egypt<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ====In East Asia==== [[Image:SelectedTeachingsofBuddhistSagesandSonMasters1377.jpg|thumb|"Selected Teachings of Buddhist Sages and Son Masters", the earliest known book printed with movable metal type, 1377. Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris.]] {{main|History of typography in East Asia}} By 593 A.D., the first printing press was invented in China, and the first printed newspaper was available in Beijing in 700 A.D. It was a woodblock printing. And the Diamond Sutra, the earliest known complete woodblock printed book with illustrations was printed in China in 868 A.D. And Chinese printer [[Bi Sheng]] invented movable type in 1041 A.D. in [[China]][http://www.minnesota-china.com/Education/emSciTech/inventions.htm]. Sheng used clay type, which broke easily, but [[Wang Zhen (official)|Wang Zhen]] later carved a more durable type from wood by 1298 AD, and developed a complex system of revolving tables and number-association with written Chinese characters that made typesetting and printing more efficient. The transition from wood type to metal type occurred during the [[Goryeo Dynasty]] of [[Korea]] and is credited to [[Choe Yun-ui]] (최윤의). Records indicate that by [[1234]], books were being printed in Korea with movable metal type, though the earliest surviving text is from [[1377]]. In China metal movable type was not pioneered until the work of the printer [[Hua Sui]] in 1490 AD. [[Movable type]] was widely used in China in both wooden and metal type printing, yet the European-style printing press introduced to China in relatively recent times greatly increased the efficiency and speed of printing. East Asian printing technology may possibly have diffused into Europe through the trade routes from China through [[India]] or the [[Arab|Arabic]] world. There is no actual evidence that Gutenberg may have known of the Korean processes for movable type. However, some authors admit this possibility,<ref name=christensen> {{cite web |url=http://www.rightreading.com/printing/gutenberg.asia/gutenberg-asia-1-introduction.htm |title=Did East Asian Printing Traditions Influence the European Renaissance? |author=Thomas Christensen |accessdate=2006-10-18 |date= 2007 |publisher = Arts of Asia Magazine (to appear) }}</ref> and argue that movable metal type had been an active enterprise in Korea since 1234 and there was communication between West and East. ====In Islamic world==== Woodblock printing appeared in Islamic [[Egypt]] by the 9th century, though it is not clear if the Egyptian printing of cloth was learned from China or developed separately. A unique type of block printing (''tarsh'' in [[Arabic language|Arabic]]) was developed in [[History of Arab Egypt|Islamic Egypt]] during the 9th-10th centuries: print blocks made from [[metal]]s such as [[tin]], [[lead]] and [[cast iron]], as well as [[Rock (geology)|stone]], [[glass]] and [[clay]]. The first printed [[amulet]]s were also developed there, and were printed with [[Arabic calligraphy]] using metal block printing. This technique, however, appears to have had very little influence outside of the [[Muslim world]], since metal and other non-wooden forms of block printing were unknown in China, which later developed metal [[movable type]] printing instead. Though Europe adopted woodblock printing from the Muslim world, the technique of metal block printing was also unknown in Europe. Block printing later went out of use in Islamic [[Central Asia]] after movable type printing was adopted from China.<ref>Richard W. Bulliet (1987), "Medieval Arabic Tarsh: A Forgotten Chapter in the History of Printing", ''Journal of the American Oriental Society'' '''107''' (3), p. 427-438.</ref> ====In Europe==== Block printing first came to Christian Europe as a method for printing on cloth, where it was common by 1300. Images printed on cloth for religious purposes could be quite large and elaborate, and when [[paper]] became relatively easily available, around 1400, the medium transferred very quickly to small [[woodcut]] religious images and [[playing cards]] printed on paper. These [[old master print|prints]] were produced in very large numbers from about 1425 onwards.<!-- This may be supported by the reference - An Introduction to a History of Woodcut, Arthur M. Hind,p , Houghton Mifflin Co. 1935 (in USA), reprinted Dover Publications, 1963 ISBN 0-486-20952-0 (recovered from a previous version of this article) --> Around the mid-century, ''block-books'', woodcut books with both text and images, usually carved in the same block, emerged as a cheaper alternative to manuscripts and books printed with [[movable type]]. These were all short heavily illustrated works, the bestsellers of the day, repeated in many different block-book versions: the [[Ars moriendi]] and the [[Biblia pauperum]] were the most common. There is still some controversy among scholars as to whether their introduction preceded or, the majority view, followed the introduction of [[movable type]], with the range of estimated dates being between about 1440–1460.<ref>Master E.S., Alan Shestack, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1967</ref> ===Movable type printing=== [[Image:Metal movable type.jpg|right|thumb|A case of cast metal type pieces and typeset matter in a composing stick]] {{main|Movable type}} {{see also|History of Western typography}} '''Movable type''' is the system of [[printing]] and [[typography]] using movable pieces of metal type, made by casting from [[matrix (printing)|matrices]] struck by [[punchcutting|letterpunches]]. [[Movable type]] allowed for much more flexible processes than hand copying or block printing. Around 1040, the first known movable type system was created in China by [[Bi Sheng]] out of [[porcelain]]. Metal movable type was first invented in [[Korea]] during the [[Goryeo Dynasty]] (around [[1230]]). Neither movable type system was widely used, one reason being the enormous [[Chinese written language|Chinese]] character set. Around [[1450]], [[Johannes Gutenberg]] introduced what is regarded as an independent invention of movable type in Europe (see [[printing press]]), along with innovations in casting the type based on a matrix and [[hand mould]]. Gutenberg was the first to create his type pieces from an alloy of [[lead]], [[tin]] and [[antimony]] – the same components still used today.<ref>Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved [[November 27]] [[2006]], from Encyclopaedia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite DVD – entry 'printing'</ref> Johannes Gutenberg's work on the [[printing press]] began in approximately [[1436]] when he partnered with Andreas Dritzehen — a man he had previously instructed in gem-cutting—and Andreas Heilmann, owner of a paper mill.<ref name="meggs58-69">Meggs, Philip B. A History of Graphic Design. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1998. (pp 58–69)</ref> It was not until a [[1439]] [[lawsuit]] against Gutenberg that official record exists; witnesses testimony discussed type, an inventory of metals (including lead) and his type mold.<ref name="meggs58-69"/> Compared to [[woodblock printing]], movable type page setting was quicker and more durable. The metal type pieces were more durable and the lettering was more uniform, leading to typography and [[font]]s. The high quality and relatively low price of the [[Gutenberg Bible]] (1455) established the superiority of movable type, and [[printing press]]es rapidly spread across Europe, leading up to the [[Renaissance]], and later [[Spread of the printing press|all around the world]]. Today, practically all movable type printing ultimately derives from Gutenberg's movable type printing, which is often regarded as the most important invention of the second millennium.<ref>In 1997, [[Time Life]] magazine picked Gutenberg's invention to be the most important of the second millennium. In 1999, the A&E Network voted Johannes Gutenberg "Man of the Millennium". See also [http://pirate.shu.edu/~gottlitr/mil_site/lista.html 1,000 Years, 1,000 People: Ranking The Men and Women Who Shaped The Millennium] which was composed by four prominent US journalists in 1998.</ref> ===Rotary printing press=== {{main|Rotary printing press}} A '''rotary printing press''' is a [[printing press]] in which the impressions are curved around a cylinder so that the printing can be done on long continuous rolls of [[paper]], [[cardboard]], [[plastic]], or a large number of other substrates. Rotary drum printing was invented by [[Richard March Hoe]], and then significantly improved by [[William Bullock (inventor)|William Bullock]] ==Modern printing technology== [[Image:Drukarnia-zlamywak.jpg|right|thumb|The [[folding machine|folder]] of newspaper web offset printing press]] Across the world, over 45 trillion pages (2005 figure) are printed annually.<ref name="vj_ipg2-0_keynote">"[http://h20325.www2.hp.com/blogs/scaglia/archive/2007/08/30/4314.html When 2% Leads to a Major Industry Shift]" Patrick Scaglia, [[August 30]], [[2007]].</ref> In 2006 there were approximately 30,700 printing companies in the United States, accounting for $112 billion, according to the ''2006 U.S. Industry & Market Outlook'' by [http://www.barnesreports.com Barnes Reports]. Print jobs that move through the Internet made up 12.5% of the total U.S. Printing market last year, according to research firm InfoTrend/CAP Ventures. ===Offset press=== {{main|Offset press}} '''Offset printing''' is a widely used [[printing]] technique where the inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. When used in combination with the [[Lithography|lithographic]] process, which is based on the repulsion of oil and water, the offset technique employs a flat (planographic) image carrier on which the image to be printed obtains [[ink]] from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a film of water, keeping the non-printing areas ink-free. Currently, most [[book]]s and [[newspaper]]s are printed using the technique of offset lithography. Other common techniques include: *[[flexography]] used for packaging, labels, newspapers. *hot wax [[dye transfer]] *[[inkjet]] used typically to print a small number of books or packaging, and also to print a variety of materials from high quality papers simulate offset printing, to floor tiles; Inkjet is also used to apply mailing addresses to direct mail pieces. *[[laser printing]] mainly used in offices and for transactional printing (bills, bank documents). Laser printing is commonly used by direct mail companies to create variable data letters or coupons, for example. *[[pad printing]] popular for its unique ability to print on complex 3-dimensional surfaces. *[[relief print]], (mainly used for [[Mail-order catalog|catalogue]]s). *[[rotogravure]] mainly used for magazines and packaging. *[[screen printing]] from T-shirts to floor tiles. ===Gravure=== [[Rotogravure|Gravure printing]] is an [[intaglio printing]] technique, where the image to be printed is made up of small depressions in the surface of the printing plate. The cells are filled with ink and the excess is scraped off the surface with a doctor blade, then a rubber-covered roller presses paper onto the surface of the plate and into contact with the ink in the cells. The printing plates are usually made from copper and may be produced by digital engraving or [[laser]] etching. Gravure printing is used for long, high-quality print runs such as magazines, mail-order catalogues, packaging, and printing onto fabric and wallpaper. It is also used for printing postage stamps and decorative plastic laminates, such as kitchen worktops. ==Digital printing== Digital printing accounts for approximately 9% of the 45 trillion pages printed (2005 figure) around the world.<ref name="vj_ipg2-0_keynote"/> Printing at home or in an [[office]] or engineering environment is subdivided into: *small format (up to ledger size paper sheets), as used in business offices and libraries *wide format (up to 3' or 914mm wide rolls of paper), as used in drafting and design establishments. Some of the more common printing technologies are: *[[blueprint]]—and related chemical technologies. *[[daisy wheel]]—where pre-formed characters are applied individually. *[[dot matrix printer|dot-matrix]]—which produces arbitrary patterns of dots with an array of printing studs. *[[inkjet]]—including bubble-jet—where ink is sprayed onto the paper to create the desired image. *[[laser printing|laser]]—where toner consisting primarily of polymer with pigment of the desired colours is melted and applied directly to the paper to create the desired image. *[[line printer|line printing]]—where pre-formed characters are applied to the paper by lines. *[[thermal printer|heat transfer]]—like early fax machines or modern receipt printers that apply heat to special paper, which turns black to form the printed image. Vendors typically stress the total cost to operate the equipment, involving complex calculations that include all cost factors involved in the operation as well as the capital equipment costs, amortization, etc. For the most part, toner systems beat inkjet in the long run, whereas inkjets are less expensive in the initial purchase price. Professional [[digital printing]] (using [[toner]]) primarily uses an electrical charge to transfer toner or liquid ink to the substrate it is printed on. Digital print quality has steadily improved from early color and black & white copiers to sophisticated colour digital presses like the Xerox iGen3, the Kodak Nexpress and the HP [[Indigo Digital Press]] series. The iGen3 and Nexpress use toner particles and the Indigo uses liquid ink. All three are made for small runs and variable data, and rival offset in quality. Digital offset presses are called [[direct imaging press|direct imaging presses]]; although these receive computer files and automatically turn them into print-ready plates, they cannot insert variable data. Small press and fanzines generally use [[digital printing]] or more rarely [[xerography]]. Prior to the introduction of cheap photocopying the use of machines such as the [[spirit duplicator]], [[hectograph]], and [[mimeograph]] was common. ==Applications of printing== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} ===Books=== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} ===Playing cards=== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} ===Periodicals=== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} ==See also== *[[Color printing]] *[[Converters (industry)]] *[[Flexography]] *[[Foil imaging]] *[[Foil stamping]] *[[Hot metal typesetting]] *[[In-mould decoration]] *[[In-mould labelling]] *[[Intaglio (printmaking)]] *[[Jang Young Sil]] *[[Letterpress printing]] *[[Movable type]] *[[Offset printing]] *[[Pad printing]] *[[Print on demand]] *[[Printmaking]] *[[Typography]] *[[Wang Zhen (official)|Wang Zhen]] *[[Waterless printing]] ==External links== {{Wiktionary}} *[http://www.printinghistory.org/htm/misc/links.html American Printing History Association] - numerous links to online resources and other organizations. *[http://www.childrenofthecode.org/Tour/c5/davinci.htm Children of the Code - Online Video: The DNA of Science, The Alphabet and Printing]. *[http://glossary.ippaper.com/default.asp?req=knowledge/category/1&catitemid=1 Learn about printing] — International Paper. *[http://www.planet-typography.com/directory/histoire.html Planet Typography - history of printing] - selection of international sites dedicated to the history of printing. *[http://www.gain.net Printing Industries of the Americas] - national trade association for printers and companies in the graphic arts. *[http://www.gutenberg-museum.de/index.php?id=19&language=e The development of book and printing]. English website of the Gutenberg-Museum Mainz (Germany) *[http://www.bpsnet.org.uk BPSnet] - The website of the British Printing Society ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== *{{cite book | first = Gill | last = Saunders | coauthors = Miles, Rosie | title = Prints Now: Directions and Definitions | publisher = Victoria and Albert Museum | date = 2006-05-01 | isbn = 1-85177-480-7 }} *{{cite book | first = Alexander | last = Nesbitt | title = The History and Technique of Lettering | publisher = Dover Books | year = 1957 }} *{{cite book| | last = Steinberg | first = S.H. | title = Five Hundred Years of Printing | location = London and Newcastle | publisher = The British Library and Oak Knoll Press | year = 1996 }} *Elizabeth L. Eisenstein, ''The Printing Press as an Agent of Change'', Cambridge University Press, September 1980, Paperback, 832 pages, ISBN 0-521-29955-1 *[[Marshall McLuhan]], ''The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man'' (1962) Univ. of Toronto Press (1st ed.); reissued by Routledge & Kegan Paul ISBN 0-7100-1818-5. *Tam, Pui-Wing ''The New Paper Trail'', ''The Wall Street Journal Online'', February 13, 2006 Pg.R8 *Woong-Jin-Wee-In-Jun-Gi #11 Jang Young Sil by Baek Sauk Gi. Copyright 1987 Woongjin Publishing Co., Ltd. Pg. 61. '''On the effects of Gutenberg's printing''' '''Early printers manuals''' The classic manual of early hand-press technology is *{{citation | first = Joseph | last = Moxon | title = Mechanick Exercises on the Whole Art of Printing | date= 1683-84 | edition = ed. Herbert Davies & Harry Carter. New York: Dover Publications, 1962, reprint | }} :A somewhat later one, showing 18th century developments is *{{citation | first = Caleb | last = Stower | title =The Printer's Grammar | date= 1808 | edition = London: Gregg Press, 1965, reprint | }} {{Template:Book Publishing Process}} [[Category:Documents]] [[Category:Printing| ]] [[ar:طباعة]] [[ca:Impressió]] [[cs:Knihtisk]] [[cy:Argraffu]] [[da:Bogtryk]] [[de:Buchdruck]] [[es:Impresión]] [[eo:Presarto]] [[fa:چاپ]] [[fr:Gravure]] [[ko:인쇄]] [[id:Percetakan]] [[is:Prentun]] [[it:Stampa]] [[he:דפוס]] [[lv:Tipogrāfija]] [[nl:Boekdrukkunst]] [[ja:印刷]] [[no:Trykking]] [[nn:Trykking]] [[pl:Druk]] [[qu:Liwru ch'ipachina]] [[ru:Книгопечатание]] [[simple:Printing]] [[sr:Штампарство]] [[fi:Kirjapainotaito]] [[sv:Tryckteknik]] [[th:การพิมพ์]] [[vi:In ấn]] [[tr:Matbaacılık]] [[uk:Друкарство]] [[zh:印刷]]