Print facts for kids

The word print can mean many different things! It often refers to making copies of words or pictures on paper or other materials. Think about books, newspapers, or even the photos you take.

But "print" can also mean showing information on a computer screen, or even a special type of film used in movies. Let's explore the different ways we use this word.

What is Printing?

Printing is the process of making many copies of text or images, usually on paper. It's how books, magazines, and newspapers are made. Before printing was invented, people had to copy books by hand, which took a very long time!

How Does a Printing Press Work?

A printing press is a machine that puts ink onto paper or other materials. The first printing presses used movable metal letters to form words. This invention, often credited to Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, completely changed how information was shared. It made books much cheaper and easier to produce, helping knowledge spread quickly.

Today, printing presses are much more advanced. They can print millions of copies very fast, using different methods like offset printing or digital printing.

Publishing and Print Runs

Publishing is the business of preparing and distributing books, magazines, or other printed materials to the public. When a publisher decides to print a new book, they decide on a "print run." A print run is simply the total number of copies of a book or magazine that will be printed at one time.

Printmaking: Art on Paper

Printmaking is an art form where artists create images by printing them. Instead of drawing or painting directly, they make a design on a surface like wood, metal, or stone. Then, they apply ink to this surface and press it onto paper to create a print.

There are many different printmaking techniques, such as:

• Engraving: Carving lines into a metal plate.
• Etching: Using acid to create lines on a metal plate.
• Woodcut: Carving away parts of a wooden block, leaving the image raised.

These methods allow artists to make multiple copies of their artwork, each one considered an original print. Some very old and famous prints are called "old master prints," which were made by skilled European artists before the 1800s.

Printing on Fabric

Textile printing is the process of applying colors and patterns to fabrics like cotton or silk. This is how designs are put onto clothes, curtains, and other cloth items. It can be done by hand, using blocks or screens, or by large machines that print patterns onto huge rolls of fabric.

Print in the Digital World

In the world of computers, "print" can mean a few different things.

Computer Printers

A computer printer is a device that takes digital information from a computer and puts it onto paper. When you click "print" on your computer, the printer uses ink or toner to create a physical copy of your document or image. There are different types of printers, like inkjet printers (which spray tiny drops of ink) and laser printers (which use a laser and toner powder).

"Printing" on Screen

Sometimes, in computer programming, the word "print" means to display text or information on a computer screen. For example, in some simple programming languages like BASIC, a "print" command tells the computer to show certain words or numbers to the user. It's like the computer is "writing" on the screen for you to see.

Other Uses of "Print"

• Photographic Print: A photographic print is simply a physical copy of a photograph, usually on paper. It's what most people mean when they say "photo" or "picture."
• Film Print: In filmmaking, a "print" refers to a complete copy of a movie on film. These film prints are sent to movie theaters so they can be shown on the big screen.