Unlike other industries, book printing and binding had a comparably slow advancement until the evolution of computers became an everyday fixture.
Though books have been printed for thousands of years, the mass production of books really began to flourish when the invention of the printing press in 1440 made it less expensive to create books. The process of binding is quite simple and has not changed much over the years. Let's explore the types of printing and binding available today as well as a little history
History
In 618, the Chinese found a way to create books through carved wood and ink transfer. This is the earliest known book printing. The printing press was invented in 1440 by Johann Gutenburg, utilizing wood or metal movable type. Mass producing books created a widespread sharing of knowledge during this time period. By the end of the 1800s, printing presses were improved to the point where they could print up to 90,000 four-page sheets per hour.
Today, technology makes it economical to print smaller amounts of books. The traditional printing presses are more expensive to run, meaning that only those printing thousands of books at once would utilize them.
Types of Book Binding
Book binding remains relatively unchanged. Sewing is the traditional method and is still used today, though now it is usually done by machines instead of by hand.
Perfect binding is where a book seems to come together at the spine by magic. The pages are glues together and then attached to the spine. This binding looks good but is not very durable, as pages can easily come out as the glue weakens over time.
Saddle stitching is where the book is printing on four-page sheets, folded in half, and then stitched or stapled in the middle. This works well for books with fewer pages.
Books with fewer copies or that are handmade may be bound in several ways. They may use office supplies such as brads or metal hoops or may punch holes in the book and place it i a hard binder.
Types of Book Printing
Offset printing is a traditional method that uses metal plates to create images on paper. It is more suited to medium-sized runs of about 500 books.
Web printing is similar to offset, but paper is fed into the press from large rolls instead of individual sheets. This is efficient for larger runs (more than 1000 books).
Digital printing takes the idea of offset printing but uses newer laser technology without plates. Books can be run in quantities as small as one, and items may be personalized or changed depending on a customer's needs.
Reprographic printing involves the use of copy machines, which also use lasers but are not as advanced as digital presses. These can be used for smaller runs as well.
Interesting Fact
The first book Gutenberg printed was the Bible.
Artistry in Printing and Binding
Many consider printing and binding an art form. Studios are built around resewing books to look like they did when they were originally bound. Some printing artists consider it too commercial to use automated presses and create cards and stationery through manual means similar to those used in the first press.
