From Press to Pixels – the Evolution of Print and What it Means for Businesses Today

In our always-on, screen-saturated world, it might be tempting to think of print as yesterday’s news. But, in reality, print continues to evolve and remains one of the most trusted and creative tools in a marketer’s kit.

At iQ Digital House, we’ve spent the last 20 years helping businesses harness the power of modern print. From banners and brochures to display graphics and to personalised packaging, print is not just surviving, it’s thriving.

Understanding where print came from helps us appreciate its relevance today and how it continues to offer creative, practical solutions for modern marketing.

So how did we get here? And where is the industry heading next? Let’s take a look.

The Origins of Print: Gutenberg and the Printing Revolution (c.1440s)

The modern print journey began in the mid-15th century with Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the movable-type printing press. This single innovation sparked a communications revolution. Before Gutenberg, books had to be copied by hand, often by monks, and could take months or even years to complete.

The first major book printed with Gutenberg’s press was the Gutenberg Bible around 1455. For the first time, the written word became widely accessible. Literacy rates began to climb and knowledge spread like never before.

By the early 17th century, newspapers started appearing. The world’s first printed newspaper, Relation aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien, was printed in 1605 in Strasbourg. It marked the beginning of mass media and shaped how societies received information for centuries to come.

The Industrial Revolution: Print Goes Mainstream (1800s–early 1900s)

The 19th century saw dramatic shifts in printing technology. Steam-powered presses replaced manual labour, enabling fast and large-scale production.

Print advertising exploded. Posters, leaflets, magazines and newspapers were now affordable and widespread. Businesses began using print as a serious commercial tool, not just for information, but for brand building.

This era introduced the idea of print as communication at scale – a foundation that still supports marketing strategies today.

Offset Lithography and the Mid-Century Print Boom (1950s–1980s)

By the mid-20th century, offset lithography had become the dominant printing method for high-volume commercial work. It offered sharper images, full-colour capability and consistency at scale.

The post-war economic boom fuelled a surge in printed marketing: catalogues, glossy brochures, magazines and consumer packaging all took off. Litho remained the gold standard for decades, enabling brands to express their identity visually and with impact.

Even today, litho printing remains a big player for large print runs and bulk orders. While digital has taken the lead for smaller, personalised jobs, litho’s high efficiency and cost-effectiveness over long runs means it still plays a key role in the print world.

As print technology advanced, many providers began working together – collaborating across litho, digital and large format processes to meet evolving customer needs.

The Digital Printing Era Begins (1990s–2000s)

The late 1990s saw the rise of digital print technology, which transformed the industry again.

Suddenly, it was possible to print high-quality materials without plates, lengthy setup or high minimum quantities. This opened the door to: