A machine for printing text and images. Modern printing presses generally consist of mechanisms for plate installation, ink application, impression, paper feeding (including folding). Its working principle is as follows: First, the text and images to be printed are made into printing plates, which are then mounted on the press. Then, either manually or by machine, ink is applied to the areas of the printing plate that have text and images. These are then directly or indirectly transferred onto paper or other printing substrates (such as textiles, metal sheets, plastics, leather, wooden boards, glass, and ceramics), thus reproducing printed materials identical to the printing plate. The invention and development of the printing press has played an important role in the spread of human civilization and culture.
Printing presses can be divided into relief, planographic, intaglio, and stencil types according to the form of the printing plate; they can also be categorized into flatbed, flat-to-flat, and rotary presses according to the plate mounting and impression structure.