Ever since a German goldsmith named Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1440, printing has been an integral part of modern society. It allowed for more books and other written materials than ever before to be produced, revolutionizing the spread of information. Some studies have even claimed that over time, the invention of the printing press helped increase literacy rates in the wider population! However, printing has more than just an interesting history – it’s still an important industry today. Check out these three fun facts about printing.
The United States Prints the Most
According to a recent PostPress Magazine article, the three countries with the biggest markets in print packaging are the United States, China and India. The US is the biggest print market overall, followed closely by Japan. It’s even been estimated that worldwide, the print industry is worth a whopping $898 billion US dollars!
There Are Three Common Printing Methods
We’ve come a long way since the original Gutenberg printing press. Today, there are three main printing methods: flexographic printing, gravure printing and offset printing. They all share a few key features, but operate differently. Modern printing is complex, and large-scale commercial printing cylinders even require press cleaners for their blades. These three processes alone can be used for almost any print application!
Printed Materials Are Important Marketing Tools
With many consumers seeing their inboxes flooded with marketing emails, printed materials remain a useful marketing tool. You’ve likely come into contact with these – they can range anywhere from brochures and pamphlets to business cards and flyers. Even in the digital age, print marketing remains central to business.
Printing has been important in the spread of knowledge and information since the 15thcentury. With today’s more complex machines and methods, the future of printing looks brighter now than ever before!
