Early Printing Machine Methods
Some of the earliest methods of printing date back to Ancient China in the 8th century CE using wooden blocks. Individual characters or images would be carved into blocks of wood which could then be dipped in ink and pressed onto paper to leave an imprint. This technique, known as block printing, allowed for copies of text to be reproduced rapidly once the blocks had been painstakingly carved. By the 15th century, moveable type was developed in Europe that arranged individual metal letters to form words which could then be printed. Johannes Gutenberg is widely credited with inventing the mechanical printing press around 1440 which accelerated production significantly. However, both block printing and moveable type required the page to be constructed one line at a time which was still a laborious process.
Advances in Mechanization
A key turning point was the development of cylinder printing in the early 19th century which allowed for multiple copies of a page to be printed simultaneously and revolutionized newspaper and magazine production. In this process, the entire text and images are transferred to a rotating cylinder which then applies ink and transfers the designs to paper as it turns. Further refinements increased speeds and ink delivery methods. Later in the century, rotary printing was invented which featured two revolving cylinders that could print both sides of a page in a single pass. Printing Machine ushered in high-volume printing capabilities and lowered costs dramatically. Automatic feed and delivery systems were also incorporated allowing for continuous production.
Digital Printing Technology
The rise of digital and electronic publishing in the late 20th century completely transformed printing. Printed circuits and technologies developed for office copiers were adapted for professional publishing and books. Non-Impact printing methods such as inkjet and laser printing gained prominence that did not require raised surfaces as with older intaglio techniques. Images and text could now be generated directly from digital files and machines no longer required formes or plates. Newer generations of machines were entirely controlled by software and components could be quickly swapped out to handle different paper sizes and stocks. As computers and networks grew more advanced, entire print runs could be managed digitally from submission to proofing to production.
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