When one mentions letterpress printing, the name Gutenberg immediately comes to mind. It was he who, in the 15th century, invented the mechanical method of reproducing text known as letterpress printing. Although there are countries that claim the right to this invention, Gutenberg is regarded as the father of this technology, which became an inseparable part of books.
How books were made before Gutenberg
In the early Middle Ages, books were created by hand, written on parchment and later on paper. The process was long and expensive, which made books accessible only to the nobility and the church.
Attempts at printing books also appeared in Europe. In the Netherlands, Italy and France, people began to experiment with hand printing using individually carved wooden letters. However, a fully usable technology – letterpress printing – was invented only by Gutenberg in 1443.
The principle of letterpress printing
The principle of letterpress printing is actually printing from a raised surface. This means that the printing medium – the matrix – is made so that the areas to be printed are raised. The non-printing parts are lower, so the ink applied to the raised areas of the printing form does not reach them. By inserting paper and applying pressure, the ink is transferred from the printing matrix, fixed in the press, onto the paper.
This printing principle accelerated and, above all, reduced the cost of book production. It is no coincidence that letterpress printing emerged during the Renaissance – an era hungry for information and education.
Historians compare this moment to our modern age, when we achieved an information explosion through the internet. Letterpress printing had a similar impact in its time thanks to the increased availability of books.
The legacy of Mr. Gutenberg
Precious Bibles printed by Gutenberg have been preserved. Of the original approximately 150 copies, 47 remain. The Bible has 1,282 pages, 43 lines per page in two columns. It is a masterpiece, both in type design and typographic layout, as well as in the meticulous quality of printing and hand illumination.
The first preserved book produced in Slovakia is the first part of Postilla by P. Bornemisza in Hungarian, published in Komjatice in 1573. The first Slovak book printed in Slovakia was a translation of Luther’s Catechism. It was the year 1581, and it came from Gutgesell’s printing house in Bardejov.
Letterpress printing and the present
The production of type evolved to the point where it was cast from lead alloy. In this form, letterpress printing dominated the entire printing industry until the 1970s. After that period, offset printing took over the leading position.
Letterpress printing is still a living technology, though in a modified form. It is used for printing in small workshops or for overprinting text on printed materials according to order. Letterpress machines are widely used to increase the value of printed materials by embossing, blind stamping, die-cutting, and similar processes.
Progress has also been made in the production of printing plates. For small print runs, high-quality plates can be made from photosensitive polymer. Even photographs can be printed in this way. In advertising, letterpress printing is used less frequently. Nevertheless, this technology can produce business cards, letterheads and similar materials. For overprinting postcards, announcements and labels, it remains an invaluable tool for printers.
It is difficult to predict how letterpress printing will fare in the future. A good sign, however, is that manufacturers continue to produce and even develop new and more efficient letterpress machines. Therefore, the position of letterpress printing in the printing industry should remain firmly established.
Prepared by: Jozef Kákoš, Anatex, s.r.o. – Promotional Products
