Innovations In Printing

Different forms of printing have been around for thousands of years

, but it was Gutenbergs use of moveable type, in the 15th century that really started the modern age of printing. While this technique was not new, he did use metal type pieces that were more precise and more durable than the wood and porcelain methods used before. This meant that reading materials could be spread rapidly across different countries. In the 1800s steam was used to power printing presses as newspapers became more common and in the first half of the 20th century, electrophotography had been invented. This form of dry printing led to the introduction of photocopying, and eventually to the first printers. These were large, noisy and expensive but as more people had personal computers the demand grew and nowadays most people have printers and are able to produce full colour documents in their own homes.

Printing technology has made huge advancements in recent years as computer technology continues to change, and the introduction of multifunction printers has been one of these innovations that have made a difference to how people work. Having a multifunction printer enables you to print, copy, scan and fax without the need for separate machines. This is useful for domestic use, for a home office or for when space is an issue in a small business environment. HP has introduced a new range of LaserJet printers that are ideal for small business use, producing professional colour documents at fast print speeds. The company has a selection of business apps and uses touch screens on a lot of their printers. Wireless networking enables multiple computers to share one machine and ePrint lets you print from anywhere at any time; a feature that suits flexible working practices and increases productivity. Printer companies are also responding to demands for more environmentally friendly products by producing printers that use less energy, as well as costing less.

Other advancements in digital printing include Indigo digital printing which prints without films or plates and is ideal for the commercial production of business cards, posters, flexible packaging and magazines, especially as text/images can be changed without having to stop the press. 3D printing is also an exciting development as it creates durable, plastic models/prototypes, in-house, from a digital model by laying down thin, horizontal cross sections until the model is complete, using layers of liquid, powder or sheet material which are fused together. These machines are slowly making it into domestic use, for use by hobbyists and DIY fans, but at the moment are mostly confined to commercial use. However new innovations are made daily. Mat Fordy from MakerBot Industries told the BBC: Many types of people use them, not just professionals (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19665625).

In conclusion, printers have come a long way since the noisy, expensive, cumbersome machines of a few decades ago. They are a common part of most homes and are inexpensive, fast and reliable, enabling people to produce professional quality documents and images from their own homes as well as fitting in with modern business working habits, i.e. flexible working and the increased use of smartphones and tablets. And with the recent innovations in 3D printing, anything seems possible in the next couple of decades.

by: K Thompson

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