Letterpress

Despite the fact that computers are used widely these days, a lot of people still find it in their hearts to continue using paper products even if there are seemingly easier ways to process text using computers. Years ago, computers were not yet created, and when computers and other advanced mechanical machines were not available, letterpress printing was used by traditional printers.

Introduction to letterpress printing

One of the older types of printing is through letterpress. This is a type of relief printing of images and text through using a type-high bed and moveable type which resembles letters in reverse. The raised surface has a coat of ink which is then pressed into another medium, usually paper or cloth, which tries to obtain the most right-reading image or text that it can. This is the usual type of printing text as observed from the west, after Johannes Gutenberg introduced his invention back in the mid 15th century up until the 19th century.

The use of letterpresses remained its popularity up until half of the 20th century, despite the introduction of newer and faster innovations in printing. By the time the 21st century rolled in, this style of printing has not been used as primary means of printing, however, it has been said that this printing has been revived by the use of some water-washed photopolymer plates that are placed in contact with close to type-high bases which has its other purposes, mainly in the art world.

Letterpresses of current times

Although the use of this type of printing is no longer applied much these days, it still has some uses which many people feel as though it mainly concerns the artistic world. However, there are some colleges and universities in the United States that have started programs that teach this type of printing, providing the equipment that can be used so that the student can work with the tasks correctly. Most of these cases or sessions are done in these types of printing shops or the university's library or perhaps the art departments. In some cases, this is not a required subject for students to take, rather a bit of an independent and student run activity which are sponsored by colleges.

Since there are many types of printing that have survived the ages, it is important to note that without these older types of letter printing, the current letterheads, and style of printing letters that are observed today would not be possible.