Print Media Essay Example

printing press designs. Research and highlight the latest advancements in print technology based on online sources and gathered information.

In 1440, Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor, developed an initial printing press method that still serves as the main approach to printing today with advancements and increased automation. In the beginning, he used a hand-operated wooden press up until the 19th century. Modifications were made to the wooden press by adding metal parts in the late 18th century. The Stanhope press was invented by Earl Stanhope in 1800, which was the first book press entirely made of cast iron. It had a set of levers that made it less difficult to exert pressure on the sheet of paper.

Read alsoSalem Witch trials questions and answers. Following the invention of the movable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the fifteenth century, there were further innovations in printing technology. These included the development of cleaner paper and sharper impressions. In 1812, Fredrik Koenig invented the steam-driven printing press which was significantly faster than previous models and could print 400 sheets per hour.

George Clymer, a Philadelphia inventor, created the Columbian press in 1816. The press was constructed out of iron and had the ability to print 250 copies per hour. Featuring an array of weights and counterweights, the press allowed printers to intensify the force for a sharper print impression. Additionally, it facilitated simplified removal of the platen after each impression to take out the sheet of paper. In 1824, Daniel Treadwell from Boston improved upon the bed-and-platen press, enabling it to be operated four times faster than a

hand-press.

The steam-powered Cylinder press was invented by American Richard Hoe in 1832. This machine utilized a rotating cylinder and a flat type bed to press paper, which resulted in a printing capacity of 1000 to 4000 impressions every hour. In 1844, Hoe introduced the rotary press, which operated by passing paper between two cylinders. One cylinder supported the paper while the other contained the mounted type. This invention allowed for up to 8000 copies to be printed per hour.

William Bullock invented the Bullock press in 1865, which was the first web-fed press that could automatically feed paper and print on both sides simultaneously. It had a printing capacity of up to 12,000 impressions per hour. Additionally, jobbing presses were developed during the mid-19th century, which were small presses that specialized in printing small format pieces like business cards and envelopes.

Printing presses in the late 1930s and early 1940s became more efficient, capable of producing roughly 1000 impressions per hour with only one pressman. The setup process was also quick and cost effective. Today, we still use these presses with some minor improvements.

When designing a page for a book, there are various design considerations to take into account. The book may be in portrait or landscape format, with portrait being deeper than it is wide, and landscape being wider than it is deep. Portable books are typically smaller in size, while larger sizes are better suited for reference books such as atlases. (6 marks)

Papers utilized in book printing typically have a smoother texture compared to those used for newspapers to enhance durability. These papers are then bound together using one of three binding types: perfect, edition

or saddle-stitching. Among them, edition binding is the most sturdy option.

A book's composition can be divided into three categories: preliminary matter, main text, and end matter. Preliminary material includes details that come before the text, such as the author's name, printing information, and publication details. Roman numerals are used to number these pages. The main text is organized into chapters, and pages are labeled with Arabic numerals typically located at the bottom center of each page. Finally, the end matter includes the author's notes and bibliography.

Unlike newspapers that have text presented in columns, the pages of a book have text running from left to right. The text is frequently aligned to both the left and right margins, with additional space between words if needed, resulting in a clean appearance on both sides of the page. In contrast to newspapers, book pages have lengthy paragraphs, often containing only one paragraph on an entire page. Occasionally, dialogue is displayed breaking the paragraph format with single lines.

It is uncommon for books to contain photos, and when they do, they are often black and white with a rare chance of being colorful. Additionally, the photos typically occupy an entire page.

The use of materials in maps and other graphics is similar. However, there are differences in the choice of materials between books and newspapers, as well as differences in the print finishing requirements. Books require higher quality materials for greater durability compared to newspapers which are printed frequently. As a result, books need to be made to last longer than newspapers.

Although books can be kept indefinitely, newspapers are often discarded shortly after reading. The paper used to print

books generally has a smoother finish than the newsprint used for newspapers, making it less prone to tearing or damage. Additionally, more paper is required for book printing than for newspaper production. Unlike newspapers, which tend to be relatively short, books are typically of considerable length.

The Daily Nation, with 72 pages, is an example of books that come in different sizes, such as royal or medium and either portrait or landscape format, to meet the need for portability.

A typical newspaper like the Daily Nation has a tabloid format, measuring about 29cm in width and 38cm in length when folded. Columns are utilized to present text in a newspaper for ease of reading. The columns are narrower, resulting in brief paragraphs consisting of even two sentences. In contrast, books have text aligned to both left and right, running from the left end to the right end with margins on either side.

The length of paragraphs in newspapers differs from books, and newspapers typically include photographs, ads, and other graphics while books mainly consist of text only. Additionally, newspapers are printed on loose sheets that are folded together, whereas books must be bound.

Within the realm of book binding, there exist three distinct types: perfect, edition, and saddle stitching. Of these, the most robust method is edition binding, which involves casing the book for improved durability. In this context, it is worth comparing the communication objectives of books and newspapers by examining a specific example, such as 'Coming to Birth' by Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye, in relation to the Daily Nation.

With a stunning story that weaves into the politics of Kenya, this novel is cool and impressive. The book

is bound with a blue cover in portrait format, while the Daily Nation has no cover. Although both use paper, the book's paper is smoother and more durable than the newspaper's. To fully tell the story, the book spans a considerable length of one hundred and fifty pages.

While the newspaper consists of seventy-two (72) pages, which are fewer than the book, it is structured differently. The book includes preliminary matter and main text divided into chapters. It lacks the end matter, but the story reaches a satisfactory conclusion. Conversely, the Daily Nation features a headline and subheadings for each new story. The book, in contrast, tells only one story from beginning to end.

The narrative revolves around Martin and his spouse Paulina, commencing in the pre-independence era of Kenya. Through the account, we observe the couple's highs and lows, eventually reaching a point where they grow old together and content. Additionally, the book eloquently depicts the political climate of Kenya and the happenings during the pre-independence period until shortly after independence. Although there are conflicting stories in the Daily Nation, covering various individuals and events worldwide, unlike this book's narrative.

The Daily Nation provides up-to-date news, views, features, and public interest information to its readers on a daily basis. Its purpose is to keep people informed about the latest happenings. In contrast, the book was initially published in 1986 and has undergone several reprints, the latest being in 2006. Despite being reprinted, the story remains unchanged, unlike the Daily Nation which comes with new content each day.

While The Daily Nation includes visual aids like photos and maps to enhance its articles, the book relies solely on

plain text to convey its message. Additionally, the newspaper has numerous advertisements, whereas the book lacks any.

According to the text, while newspapers lose value quickly, books aim to convey timeless concepts that remain valuable even after multiple readings. Therefore, books are akin to valuable treasures that can be enjoyed repeatedly without losing their shine, whereas newspapers are often discarded after an initial skim.