Gutenberg’s Inventions – Part 6: The Printing Press
In our series, guest author Dr Julia Bangert from the International Gutenberg Society in Mainz e.V. is gradually introducing the inventions of Johannes Gutenberg. The sixth and final part deals with the printing press.
In developing the printing press, Gutenberg was able to draw on various models, such as a wine press or a paper press. However, such wooden spindle presses were not suitable for book printing, as the platen – the large plate used to exert pressure on the objects beneath it – was pushed downwards by the spindle in a rotating motion. This would have smudged every impression on the paper. One of Gutenberg’s key inventions is therefore the small centre piece between the platen and the spindle: the so-called ‘bushing’. It prevents the platen from rotating as it is pressed down.
Loading the Paper
The part below the platen – the slide or carriage – can be moved forwards and backwards. We do not know whether Gutenberg’s original press also had such a movable slide, as it, like the hand-inking device, has not survived. In any case, standard reconstructions feature a carriage, upon which the typeset rests; this is inked prior to printing, as described in the previous section. The front section of the carriage can be opened in two places. Inside, the paper – which has been moistened to ensure better ink absorption – is secured with pins (known as ‘punctures’). The flat frame, designed to protect the edges of the paper from soiling, is placed in position, and then the press cover, with the paper on top, is placed over the type. The carriage is now slid under the platen.
The print
The actual printing is finally carried out by lowering the platen, which presses the paper onto the inked type. This first impression on a sheet of paper is called the front impression. When the paper is printed on the reverse side with a new set of type in the next step, this produces the reverse impression. The registration marks ensure that the print area on the front and back align precisely. The finished printed sheet is finally hung up to dry. Two journeymen were employed at the press for the entire process: one who inked the type using the ink pads, and the actual printer, who operated the press lever to lower the platen. Unlike the typesetters, these assistants did not need to be particularly educated, but mainly had to be strong.
The further development of the printing press
The printing press was used in this form for centuries to come. The only changes made were to expand the plates, so that soon up to eight pages could be printed simultaneously onto a single sheet. This was then folded several times, depending on the number of pages printed. Later, even more robust metal printing presses were developed. The basic principle of Gutenberg’s invention only changed in the course of the 19th century with the development of mechanised typesetting machines, such as the Mono and the Linotype, and the steam-powered high-speed press.
FAQ
The paper was positioned on a movable slide beneath the platen. Pressing the platen down pressed the paper onto the inked type. The sheet was then hung up to dry.
The bushing is a connecting element between the spindle and the platen. It prevents the platen from rotating as it is pressed down, which would otherwise smudge the print on the paper.
The ‘first impression’ refers to the first print on the front of a sheet. If the paper is then printed on the reverse side, this is known as the ‘reverse impression’.
The perforations were needles used to secure the paper to the carriage. They ensured that the front and back of a sheet aligned precisely during double-sided printing.
About the author:
Julia Bangert holds a PhD in book studies and is an artist. Her doctoral thesis, entitled ‘The Book Trade System and the Knowledge Sphere in the Early Modern Period’, was published in 2019. She works freelance as an illuminator and illustrator. Exquisite colouring and an elegant brushstroke are her hallmarks; perfect leaf gilding is her passion.
One of her current projects is the illumination of Bible pages, which are available for purchase in the shop at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz.
