What is Printing – Definition of the Concept

Definition of

Printing

Printing is the industrial technique which enables playon paper or similar materials, texts and figures through guys, plates or other procedures. The printing process consists of applying ink on the types and transferring it to the paper by pressure. By extension, the place or workshop where it is printed

For example: “The writer announced that the book is already in print, so it will go on sale in the coming weeks”, “I have to call the printer: the ad has a couple of misspellings”, “The government intends to control the printing press to curtail freedom of expression”.

Article Topics

  • Origins of printing
  • Other mechanisms and technologies
  • hectograph and printing
  • Related Topics Tree

Origins of printing

The antecedents of modern printing are found in the Ancient Rome; around the year 440 BC began to print on clay objects, while the first movable type printing press was created in China in the decade of 1040.

what is known as modern printing was created towards 1440 by the german Johannes Gutenberg. Until then, the books were reproduced in handwritten form by copyistsand this task took a long time and generated confusion since many of these people were illiterate, for which they were forced to try to imitate the strokes, as if they were mere drawings.

It can serve you: Chinese ink

Other mechanisms and technologies

At present, the notion of printing transcends the printing press, since there are various mechanisms and technologies to reproduce textsas the flexographythe serigraphythe lithography and the digital methods.

The print on demand It is that form of publication that consists of the reproduction of a certain number of copies at the time of receiving the order in question. This modality is especially used for the technique known as self-publishing, the path chosen by many writers today in the absence of money to finance a traditional publication.

The printers that offer this service are not usually dedicated to promoting works, as a publishing house does, at least not for free; therefore, when a writer turns to self-publishing, they must take care of contacting bookstores to get their books listed in their catalogues, as well as organizing events such as public readings and obtaining a booth at the Book Fair. Every time he needs a certain volume of copies, he only has to request it and it will be sent to him within the term established in the contract.

See also: Lawsuit

hectograph and printing

Not many know of the existence of this predecessor of modern copiers, which can be built by following a very simple series of steps in any home. First of all, it should be clarified that it is a resource for those cases in which a large number of copies is not needed.

In principle it is necessary to leave 30 grams of gelatin in cold water for about eight hours, making sure that it is completely covered. On the other hand, 60 grams of fine salt must be dissolved in half a liter of water, mixed with an average of 200 grams of pure glycerin and heat the mixture up to 93°C. After an hour of cooking, 20 drops of clove essence should be added, useful so that the dough does not disintegrate, and everything is poured onto a tray of adequate dimensions for the desired copies. It only remains to let the hectograph rest for about five hours away from heat and dust.

Before first use, it is important to clean it with a damp sponge and allow it to dry almost completely. The steps to make a copy are very simple: it is simply necessary to capture the original on an alcohol sheet, which can be purchased at any bookstore, and place the written side on the hectograph, making sure that there is no area without contact. with the jelly. After a minute, he withdraws and proceeds to lay down the blank sheets one by one; the copy is instantaneous, since the process is similar to that of a stamp. When the ink starts to run out, simply clean the base and repeat the procedure.

Continue on: Latent heat