It is the mid 1400’s. The Chinese, Koreans and others in east Asia have for several hundred years already been using simplified transfer methods of printing. It is a cumbersome, laborious process. It is now, in the Renaissance era, that Johannes Gutenburg introduces the first real printing press to Western Europe.

Gutenberg’s press technology remained the most used format of moveable type until it was superceded by the advent of offset printing in the early 1900’s. By the mid 1950’s offset printing had become the most dominant form of commercial printing in the United States.

Dave Faris began his work in the printing industry at the dawn of the 60’s. He hand set type for use on machines similar to Gutenburg’s technology and he became a proficient pressman using the offset technology. He opened Blossom Hill Printing in 1971. The journey through the technological change of next four decades has been exciting.

During the 70’s, adventuresome business people began to move away from boring black ink into 2 color printing. New paper varieties and changes in ink technology opened up a whole new world to attract new customers and gain the confidence of the old. With the demand, came a flood of 2 color presses. At the same time better, faster methods of setting type were developed. Hand set type was giving way to phototypesetting, transferring via paper punch and then to final output. Cameras and plate materials improved and a huge rise in the use of photos resulted due to increased quality. Most prepress work was still done manually on paste up art boards.

The 70’s and 80’s also mainstreamed into the commercial industry, post press decorating like foil stamping, embossing and the combination of the two. These processes enhanced the look of the printed pieces and the businesses they represented.

The 90’s brought quantum leaps in change. Phototypesetting and manual paste up boards gave way to new technology – desktop publishing. Though early graphic programs were very limited they were still better than hand paste up and hand drawn art. Each year brought bigger, faster computers and more complex software programs, each opening up new possibilities to the graphic artist. New direct to film or plate images made it simple and easy to do fantastic things with ink and paper.

Cutting edge CEO’s ventured into full color to stay ahead of the competition. It was 4 to 8 color presses that were needed to meet the rising demand of full color marketing pieces. The 2 color and spot color brochures became “old” and lacked the “look” of the upcoming millennium. Now as we near the end of the first decade of that millennium, process color has come into its own. It is easier, faster and less expensive to use full color. Printers now pay millions of dollars for a press. That means they need volume and that translates as a good thing for you the buyer. Prices are dropping, quality in improving and you benefit from both in your business.

Yes, technology has driven the change in the printing industry. Along the way savvy business owners change too. Today, everyone’s market is impacted. There are fewer dollars out there and buyers are carefully choosing where to spend. Will they choose you or your competitor? If you haven’t done so already, it is time to revamp your marketing materials or add extra ones to your toolbox. Think full color. It’s a better buy than 2 color, and can enhance your professional look at the same time. Go figure! Every day brings change, challenge and new opportunities. We are here to help you stay on the cutting edge and still make the most of your marketing dollar. Come in for a free consultation.