Print technology is changing every day, and with Navitor celebrating 70 years in the print industry, we wanted to take a moment to explore the many ways that it has changed since we first put ink on paper. We’ve seen new terminology come onto the scene, new file formats and print tools, and many digital developments. Here are just a few of the big changes that we’ve seen over the 70 years we’ve been in business.
1948 The first of the companies that came together to become Navitor was founded.
1949 Phototypesetting was developed.
1950s Term “prepress” replaced “pre-makeready” used in commercial letterpress, particularly in regard to printing photoengravings.
1951 Inkjet printing was developed.
1957 Helvetica typeface was introduced. Helvetica remains one of the most popular typefaces.
1957 Dye-sublimation printing was developed. We still use sublimation to create vibrant badges and other specialty products.
1959 Xerographic office photocopying was introduced.
1963 Pantone Color Matching System was introduced. It’s still the premiere color matching system to this day.
1969 Laser printer was invented at Xerox.
1970 Water-based ink was introduced.
1974 American Printing History Association was founded.
1975 ISO standard for paper sizes was introduced (ISO 216).
1981 The Internet was developed. If you’re reading this, you probably have a good idea of how much that development has opened up possibilities for print businesses.
1983 Desktop publishing was developed.
1987 Soy-based ink was developed.
1988 Adobe Photoshop raster graphics editor was introduced. Photoshop and other Adobe programs are still some of the most popular for creating print documents.
1991 TrueType scalable computer fonts were introduced.
1993 The Indigo digital color printer was introduced.
1993 Portable Document Format (PDF) files were introduced.
1996 OpenType scalable computer fonts were introduced.
2003 Hewlett Packard wi-fi laser printers were introduced.
2006 The G7 method for color management was introduced.
2008 Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical foundation was rebranded under a new logo and the name Printing Industries of America (PIA).
As you can see, there have been a lot of advances since Navitor got its start. We’re proud to have stood with you through the rise of digital technology, the development of new file formats, and the evolution of new print processes, and we look forward to the advances that the future brings!
What bits of print history have made the biggest impact on your work? We’d love to hear more from you in the comments below.
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