Graphic arts
From Free net encyclopedia
Graphic arts is the applied trade-skills of a print technician. It includes the trades of lithography, serigraphy and bindery. Graphic arts as a trade can be traced back to the first instances of the stamped word.
Traditional Meaning
Graphic art is an artistic process of making a design using a medium (like a rubber or plexy glass) and transferring the image to a material (like paper), thus creating an artistic expression.
Early history
Tang Dynasty and Bi Sheng
The technique of printing with carved wood blocks appeared about the 7th century, early in the Tang dynasty. It was invented as a way to enscribe thousands of sheets of rice paper with a memoire of a beloved Empress. Every sheet of paper was placed in hilltops and shrines all over China so that her name would never be forgotten.
Movable type was first invented by Bi Sheng of the Song dynasty between the years 1041 and 1048. This invention was recorded by his contemporary Shen Kuo which recorded it in his Dreampool Essays. During the 13-14th centuries, the agriculturist Wang Zhen made an important contribution to the development of movable type printing.
Moveable type was later adopted in Italy, and then made it's way to England and America with the Gutenberg press. From there the trade forever become distinct in and of itself.
Tools of the trade
- Computers and software
- Process camera work, registration, crop marks & masking
- Cutting edge technologies
From digital proof to plate to press.