Introduction
The world of printing originated in the early 3500 BC when the Mesopotamian and Persian civilizations started using cylinder seals to certify ancient documents. The world has come a long since that period. In this article, Mark Roemer delves into the world of printing paper and provides details about famous landmarks that lead to the evolution of printing paper.
The Details
- The Invention of Printing – No one knows when the first printing press was invented. However, the oldest existing document proves that the first traces of printing began in China during the Tang Dynasty in 868 A.D. The book is called The Diamond Sutra, and it was printed using hand-carved wooden block characters in reverse.
Gutenberg invented a more advanced version of printing in Europe. He made significant improvements in the printing machines by replacing the wooden blocks with metal ones. He even created the concept of replica casting where he created brass letters in reverse. The molds were then used to create replicas by casting molten lead into them.
Research indicates that Gutenberg actually used sand casting to create the molds. The letters were created in such a way that it fits uniformly in lines. Gutenberg even went on to create his own ink specially made for metal surfaces, unlike its previous counterparts. He also used a winepress to create leveled paper. Traditionally, the winepress was used to squeeze grapes for wine, but it served as an appropriate tool for creating printing paper.
- Initial Achievements of Printing – Although Gutenberg started printing calendars and pamphlets, he later went to the Gutenberg Bible which is considered an artifact in academic circles. Several copies of the Bible survive to this day and go on to the printing marvel of the mid-15th Century. Records show that he used close to 50.000 thousand pages and 300 molded letters to create his 180 copies of the Bible.
The mantle of printing was carried on by Peter Scchoffer who acquired Gutenberg’s technology and improved upon it further. In about two years he created a version of The Book of Psalms. It was the first to include a title page containing a three-colored title along with different typefaces. Schoffer also used a colophon that listed the details related to the publication information. This is the first recorded incident in the history of printing, and as of now, ten copies of this Psalm exist today.
- Types of Printing Paper – Printing has come a long since the early ages. Today, there are several types of printing paper based on weight, the processing method used, and the type of finish. Paperweight is determined by one square meter of paper and determines the printing application. Photocopy papers use a weight between 60 GSM to 90 GSM while cardboards weigh between 150 GSM to 350 GSM.
Conclusion
According to Mark Roemer, whether you intend to print flyers or business cards depends mainly on the weight and finish. Environment-friendly paper is created from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which has the highest forestry certification in the world. Recycled paper is created by using 57% to 100% of recycled pulp and contains fresh cellulose fibers from FSC certified forests.
