Woodblock was used to make a few prints before the invention of the first printing press. Books were made hand-printed. Those were extremely costly. There were only a few libraries where only tens of handwritten books were chained. General people had no opportunity to learn reading and writing. Johann Gutenberg is the inventor of the first print press.

Johannes Gutenberg Facts

  • Johann Gutenberg was a goldsmith. This was his family profession. He knew the mechanism to make gold coins with letters engraved.
  • His idea of making engraved coins pursued him to make a print press.
  • He started to try making his first press machine in 1439. The first machine came out around 1444, after five years of trying.
  • The first edition of the print press is known as Gutenberg’s print press.
  • Wine and olive juice were used to make ink, and hand-made paper was used.
  • It was able to make up to 200 copies in an hour.
  • Gutenberg’s print press was shipped to over 150 countries of Europe within a few years.

Printing Facts

  • The first book ever printed by Gutenberg’s print press was a Latin Bible. It was made 200 copies.
  • As only a few people knew reading Latin, copies were sent to other continents.
  • Later, the bible was printed in other languages as well.
  • Precious manuscripts of other religions that were preserved for centuries in different monasteries were collected afterward to make prints and preserve printed copies.
  • The print press was updated in Germany and the UK in the 18th and 19th centuries accordingly. A steam engine-powered print press was invented by Stanhope and named Stanhope’s press.
  • Publishing newspapers and textbooks increased after that invention. Education and public awareness were also raised as a result.
  • Global politics, economy, and education shaped by the impact of print press.
  • Friedrich Koenig, a German inventor, made a rotary press in the 19th century, maximizing its printing capacity.
  • Augustus Applegath, a British in 1843 first established 4 color printing techniques. He also invented silk printing mechanisms.
  • ‘The Times’ was printed in colorful papers after that.

Digital Printing Facts

  • In digital printing, the software is used instead of the ‘press’.
  • The software translates a computer image or writing in a machine-readable language.
  • The printer reads the language and prints it using tiny dots.
  • Digital printing can be done on paper as well as in clothes.
  • Digital printing is done of stretched-out fabric called screen print.

Printing Services

  • Printing services are now various kinds. Digital printing, large-scale printing, screen printing, LED printing, and 3d printing.
  • Banners, billboard, printed on fabric is done by large scale printing service. A roll of fabric is unrolled as it gets printed. This was the maximum use of material ensured.
  • Print press is used to print large-scale papers. Newspapers, books, magazines, and leaflets are printed in this way.
  • Digital printing is the best option to print glossy photos, t-shirt, and detailed designs on paper or fabrics.
  • 3d printing is done to make an actual object. It is created by making layers of that particular object to add depth or height to that object. From small decorative items to big houses, cars, even spaceships are being printed this way.

Online Printing

All these print services are offered by specific print shops. The price varies. The orders are taken online and delivered accordingly.

Final Thought

Little facts about the print press still amaze us thinking how it has been living without books or education. Now all the pint services are at our fingertips. Many of the printing needs are being replaced by virtual drives.