Print, Print, Print, Print, Print....

Even in this digital age, lots of printing is done. Think of packaged foods, books, calendars, newspapers; what are some more examples? Printing has been around for literally thousands of years, and new methods continue to be invented. Maybe you will find a new way to print.

CONNECT:

• Printing is almost 2000 years old, invented by the Chinese. See the timeline at http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=1951&HistoryID=ab78&gtrack=pthc
• Find fascinating facts about Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the Printing Press in 1440: http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/gutenberg.htm
• Often the first thing you think of in terms of printing is the book. Watch how they are made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRKsW-oVcHg
• How is money made? Watch the experts at http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uscurrency/howmoneyismade.html
• Not all printmaking is the same. Look at nine basic types of printmaking: https://www.artsy.net/article/editorial-nine-types-of-printmaking-you-need-to
• What do stones, grease and water together make? Lithography. Watch the process at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHw5_1Hopsc
• Usually we think of printing as a 2D process, but now there’s 3D printing. Look at this new dimension at https://www.kidscodecs.com/what-is-3d-printing/

CREATE:

• Usually we think of printing as a repetitive process, but you can make a unique print: a monoprint. Here are the directions: http://www.kinderart.com/printmaking/mono.shtml
• There are lots of things at home that you can print with. Try some of these projects (http://artfulparent.com/printmaking-ideas-kids) and invent your own printer tools.
• Use the sun as a printer; see how at http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2014/06/diy-sun-prints-with-construction-paper.html

CARE:

• Fingerprints can help solve crimes. Investigate from fingerprints to biometrics at https://www.fbi.gov/video-repository/newss-from-fingerprints-to-a-new-era-of-biometrics-1/view
• Printing counterfeit money is a crime. Why can’t you technically print money on your own color laser printer? Find out at http://www.pcworld.com/article/229647/counterfeit_money_on_color_laser_printers.html
• Here are 175 amazing ways that 3D printing is changing the world: https://3dforged.com/3d-printing/

CAREERS:

Is print big? See the evidence that it IS: http://www.printisbig.com/

See the range of careers in the printing industry at https://collegegrad.com/industries/printing