Everyone must learn new things gradually to stay up-to-date, regardless of their profession or level of experience. Acquiring knowledge is always rewarding, particularly when it pertains to your passion. As technology advances, new tools and techniques are constantly being developed in the print industry.

Whether you are a print professional who enjoys learning new things or you are new to the lovely world of print, this post will help you effectively increase your knowledge. We’re going to introduce you to some fantastic books for print professionals, covering a variety of printing-related topics. Select the book that best suits your interests, then enjoy discovering what you love!

Contents

Reference Classics Every Pro Should Own
Top Books on Print Processes and Techniques
Best Print Business and Management Books
Final Words

Reference Classics Every Pro Should Own

The “best” books will vary depending on your personal interests and professional objectives; these are only some recommendations. Nonetheless, the books listed below provide a solid foundation for assembling a collection of classic works that are pertinent to the print industry.

The Gutenberg Revolution by John Man

This 2002 book examines the development of printing with movable type by Johann Gutenberg. John Man, the author, is a travel writer and historian who has written some other famous works, including The Great Wall, Genghis Khan, and Attila. This book is about Gutenberg, who is recognized for having revolutionized printing. He was born in Mainz, Germany, in 1400. Knowledge and ideas spread widely as a result of his invention, which had a significant impact on the world. The book goes into great detail about how Gutenberg’s press changed society and the historical background of his invention. Let’s check some reviews about this helpful book:

New York Times Book Review: “At the heart of Man’s enchanting narrative is Gutenberg’s place as an early capitalist, an entrepreneur, deprived of patrician status by his mother’s modest background, who set out to strike it rich in business.”
Booklist: “A heavily detailed account, but still accessible to a general audience.”
Guardian: “Extremely erudite and enormously enthusiastic.”

The All New Print Production Handbook by David Bann

The book is actually an authoritative and useful resource. It goes into great detail about every facet of print production. Throughout the entire process, this useful 224-page guide explains how and why to make print production choices that will improve the end result. It aims to give readers a thorough grasp of the printing process by being perceptive and educational. Some of the main subjects include:

The book includes careful consideration during the digital workflow at every stage of the creative print process.
It covers various post-production concepts related to colour management, font and image usage, and file formats.
From pre-press to finishing, the author provides all the information a commercial printing professional would require to develop a solid understanding of print production.

The Visual Dictionary of Pre-Press by Ambrose & Harris

The book offers a succinct yet thorough overview of the print and production industries. It includes both visual and textual definitions for more than 250 production and pre-press terms. From the first phases of design to the last printing preparation, the book probably covers a wide range of topics. It helps readers navigate the intricacies of pre-press and production and is intended to be both understandable and educational. The general overview of its subjects includes:

It’s an excellent resource for learning about the pre-press process because it attempts to provide both written and visual explanations.
Both contemporary and traditional terms that are still in use are included in this book.
For anyone studying or working in the fields of graphic design, typography, illustration, and visual communication, this book is a priceless resource.

Top Books on Print Processes and Techniques

The first and possibly most fascinating area to investigate is the literature on printing methods and techniques. The following books should meet your needs, I hope.

A Guide to Graphic Print Production by Johansson et al.

For professionals and students studying graphic design, print production, production technology, and visual communication, this book is a perfect resource. It provides information that covers every facet necessary to comprehend the nuances of digital printing.

Expanded by more than 100 pages, this book features over 400 new illustrations. This updated edition offers a useful reference to have on hand. Some of the main subjects include:

A comprehensive breakdown of the entire workflow involved in producing graphic prints.
Techniques and applications are described with illustrations.
Detailed instructions and checklists.
Suggestions and advice. Guidelines and suggestions for each design stage.
More than 1,500 graphic terms in a glossary.

Pocket Pal: A Graphic Arts Production Handbook by Frank Romano

It is intended to serve as a succinct resource for both novices and experts in the field. The 20th edition of the book is now available. This book serves as an extensive guide for the graphic arts sector. It covers many facets of printing and graphic arts production and acts as an introduction to the field. Professionals in the field commend it for being easily comprehensible and helpful, and it is regarded as an authoritative resource. It is a small, pocket-sized, yet comprehensive resource. Some of its main subjects include:

Summary of printing techniques throughout history, including some “current ones.”
Great historical information that covers “the evolution of printing,” photography, and lithography.
Explaining the use of digital imaging and printing, as well as printing paper and ink.
It facilitates managing projects, comprehending terminology, and navigating freelancing.

Common-Sense Flexography by David Lanska

The book, which offers readers a wealth of useful advice, is the product of passion and love for the field of flexography. Technical hints and useful guidance in this book enhance flexographic printing processes. The goal of the book is to increase productivity, efficiency, and safety. It integrates advice from top printers with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and efficiency of the print process. The author exposes some of the industry’s common misconceptions and highlights some of the best practices and innovative ideas by fusing a scientific method with a sense of humour. Some of the main subjects of this book include:

It provides insightful information and helpful suggestions for enhancing flexographic printing processes.
In this useful and instructive manual, 25 years of flexographic industry experience are combined.
This is a useful tool for managers, operators, suppliers, press supervisors, and flexo printers.
It offers troubleshooting recommendations based on case studies from the real world.

Best Print Business and Management Books

A number of books are particularly noteworthy as useful tools for people working in management and the print industry, providing information on strategy, team dynamics, and successful leadership. Check these two books to find the best sources in this field:

Print Broker Blueprint by Brett Adams

The author of this book offers a simple manual for becoming a print broker. The book makes the process easier by clearly outlining the function and how to launch a print brokerage. The steps, factors, and insights required for anyone interested in getting into this industry are probably outlined in the book. Both novices and experienced industry professionals can use it. Some of the main headlines of this book include:

It discusses the benefits of print brokering over operating a print press as well as its fundamentals.
What a print broker does, how they generate revenue, how to get started, and how to attract and keep clients are just a few of the topics covered in the book.
It seeks to assist prospective print brokers in achieving success in the field by offering helpful guidance and insider information.
Finding customers, establishing rapport, and retaining customers are all included in the book.

Business Transformation:

A New Path To Profit For The Printing Industry by John Foley

For businesses looking to change, this book provides insights and strategies. It offers a road map that can assist businesses in changing, including actions and a change of emphasis. To help with this transition, the book also includes case studies, marketing strategies, and campaign concepts. It is intended to support companies’ adaptation and improvement. The expansion of traditional services and increasing profitability are the main topics of the book. Moreover, it includes:

It is the ideal guide for team building, operations management, sales and marketing development, strategic planning, and more.
It highlights important areas that are essential for a successful transformation and provides helpful guidance and a methodical approach to change effectively.
The author wants to empower and motivate organizations to attain superior performance levels by using a tried-and-true framework.

Final Words

The books listed above are some of the best-known works on the printing industry; they cover a wide range of topics, including commercial printing, digital printing, and printing history. Designers and commercial printers can better appreciate the magic trace of this wonderful realm by learning about the history and specifics of this amazing industry. ButterflyGP is available to assist you in comprehending the journey of a print order as simply as possible.

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Technical Books for Print Professionals to Learn