Sajun.org
'''Printing''' is an
industrial process for reproducing copies of
texts and
images, typically with
ink on
paper using a
printing press. It is an important 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, ocassionally
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 that remained in use until the
industrial revolution.
* 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 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
*
Flexography
*
Intaglio
*
Lithography
*
Offset printing
*
Rotogravure
*
Security printing
People
*
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 processingde:Buchdruckja:印刷pl:Druk
