The modern book production process came about as a result of the invention of the printing press. Although the earliest known form of woodblock printing comes from China, dating to before 220 AD, the invention of movable type and the printing press in Europe is credited to Johann Gutenberg of Germany. Gutenberg, in collaboration with his partners Johann Fust and Peter Schoffer, printed a Latin Bible using a hand printing press with movable lead type around about 1456. By the nineteenth century, however, the demand for books could not be met quickly enough by the process of hand printing. Printers developed larger presses to accommodate larger sheets of paper or the newly-invented continuous rolls of paper. These improvements allowed printers to produce books at a much faster rate.
Book binding
This involves sewing the pages together, gluing the spine, inserting the lining and trimming the edges. The amount and type of binding depends on the type of book and its size.
Paper stock
Books are made from a variety of different coated and uncoated paper stocks that differ in weight and size. Different colour inks may be used and, while front and back covers are generally made from a heavier stock of paper, they will vary in terms of weight.
• Book design
• Page size and style
• Typeface size and style
• The type and weight of paper for the text and cover
• Use of colours
• Presentation of visuals/illustrations in the text, if needed
• Cover art and illustrations
• Printing
There are three main printing processes used in book production: offset lithography, letter-press, and gravure. The process used depends on quality and economic factors.