The Ghosts of Print Past: From Gutenberg to the Machines of Today
As Halloween approaches, let’s take a look at some of the ghosts of print past…
Printing has a history stretching back centuries. Woodblock printing emerged in China, followed by the development of movable type in the 11th century. Then, around the 1440s, Johannes Gutenberg’s mechanical press and movable metal type transformed European printing, making books faster and more practical to produce.
From type and ink to digital wizardry
Printing was once a painstakingly manual craft, with individual pieces of type arranged, inked and pressed by hand.
Over time, lithography and offset printing revolutionised high-volume production, while today’s digital and large-format technologies offer speed, flexibility and personalisation.
The tools may have changed, but one thing remains: great printing still needs skilled people behind the machines.
Modern machines: more technology than magic
Today’s large-format printers are a far cry from the presses of old. They can produce huge graphics and detailed imagery across an extraordinary range of materials, from vinyl and paper to acrylic, aluminium and rigid boards.
Behind the scenes, sophisticated ink systems, curing technology and colour management are working their magic, and then there are the finishing machines, cutting, creasing, foiling and laminating printed materials with remarkable precision.
The real magic happens behind the machines
Modern print machinery is incredibly clever, but knowing how to get the best from it takes experience.
Our operators need to understand artwork, colour management, substrates, inks, machine settings and finishing processes. They need to know how different materials will behave, how to achieve consistent colour and, perhaps most importantly, how to spot a problem before it becomes a very expensive mistake.
Sometimes the right result comes down to choosing the correct substrate. Sometimes it’s adjusting a print profile or changing the production method entirely.
The technology may be sophisticated, but it’s the knowledge and judgement of our operators that makes all the difference.
The craft isn’t dead…
Despite all the automation, modern printing is still a craft.
The machinery may be faster, smarter and considerably more sophisticated, but great print still relies on people who understand the process from beginning to end.
At Platinum, that means combining the latest technology with experience and expertise, from litho and digital printing through to large-format production and specialist finishing.
While some of the old printing methods may now be little more than ghosts of the past, the knowledge and craftsmanship behind good print are very much alive.