12 Books for Print Professionals Who Love Learning

You may have learned about the printing industry the old-fashioned textbook way, or perhaps you were thrown into the workflow and had to learn on the fly (as I did). Either way, learning never stops when you’re working in printing. For print professionals who want to keep their minds sharp and their print knowledge keen, here are 10 books for print professionals that have been recommended by printers, print sellers and graphic designers.

We’ve divided these 12 books for print professionals into categories depending on their topic.

12 Print Industry Books to Brush Up Your Knowledge

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Books About Printing Processes

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1. A Guide to Graphic Print Production

By Kaj Johansson, Peter Lundberg and Robert Ryberg

“The complete guide to the entire process of print production, from early stages of conception and planning, to the technical stages of manufacturing and off press processing.”

This book covers:

• computers
• chromatics
• layouts
• digital images
• image editing
• prepress
• paper
• printing
• finishing and binding
• legal issues
• and more

2. Fundamentals of Inkjet Printing: The Science of Inkjet and Droplets

By Stephen D. Hoath

A practical book that “presents the subject in a comprehensive and clear form, using only content derived from the latest published results.”

This book covers:

• fluid mechanics
• print-head types
• how to form droplets
• droplet behavior
• commonly observed phenomena
• case studies
• and more

3. Mastering Digital Printing, Second Edition (Digital Process and Print)

By Harald Johnson

A “full-color guide provides all the information necessary to execute the latest advanced printing and image-editing techniques.”

This book covers:

• how to choose the right inkjet printer
• inks and papers
• best practices
• step-by-step workflow process
• determining and testing for print permanence
• and more

4. Pocket Pal: A Graphic Arts Production Handbook

By Frank Romano

“One of the authoritative graphic arts production handbooks” that covers prepress graphic arts.

This book covers:

• printing terminology
• printing processes
• facts and data
• theories
• history
• practical wisdom
• and more

5. Common-Sense Flexography: A User’s Guide to Improved Pressroom Productivity

By David J. Lanska

A humorous guide that “offers common-sense insights and practical advice to help make your flexographic printing operations safer, more efficient, more productive, and more profitable.”

This book covers:

• ink technology
• plating
• anilox rolls
• quality systems
• pressroom safety
• environmentally friendly printing
• pressroom management
• and more

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Books About the Print Business

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6. Print Broker Blueprint: Your A to Z Guide to Becoming A Successful Print Broker

By Brett Adams

An easy-to-use book that “tells you everything you need to know about the business of becoming a Print Broker.”

This book covers:

• what is a print broker
• how a print broker makes money
• how to get started in the business
• finding and keeping customers for life
• and more

7. Business Transformation: A New Path to Profit for the Printing Industry

By John Foley

A book that “discusses the critical elements associated with a successful business transformation”.

This book covers:

• creating a business plan
• cross-media services
• understanding customer requirements
• infrastructure development
• marketing positioning and promotion

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Books on Designing for Print

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8. Designing for Print, the Art and Science, Graphic Design and Print Production Strategies for Success on Press

By Marina Poropat Joyce

An “in-depth and up-to-date guide to designing for print and print production for graphic designers”.

This book covers:

• terms
• glossaries
• guides
• examples of printing costs
• what to watch out for
• print samples
• and more

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Niche/Specialized Books on Printing

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9. Digital Label and Package Printing: Terminology, Technology, Materials, Management and Performance

By Michael Fairley

“A comprehensive guide to understanding how these technologies work—whether electrophotographic liquid and dry toner or inkjet.”

This book covers:

• evolution and trends
• technology, imaging and terminology
• color label presses
• package solutions
• prepress strategies
• substrate selection
• finishing options
• laser die-cutting and finishing
• process management
• markets

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Reference Books on Printing

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10. The All New Print Production Handbook

By David Bann

“The practical, incisive, authoritative handbook that reveals and explains every aspect of print production.”

This book covers:

• digital workflow
• color management
• font and image use
• file formats
• platemaking
• pricing
• print processes
• packing
• and more

11. The Visual Dictionary of Pre-Press and Production (Visual Dictionaries)

By Gavin Ambrose and Paul Harris

“A concise and comprehensive introduction to the world of print and production” with over 250 prepress and production terms.

This book covers:

• design
• screen
• printing
• finishing

12. Handbook of Print Media

By Helmut Kipphan

“An easy-to-use, single-volume reference, with all the information clearly structured and readily retrievable.”

This book covers:

• print technologies
• presses and systems
• drying methods
• print media materials
• finishing
• print quality
• business models
• prepress
• material and data flow
• production strategies
• and more

Learn a little every week.

Reading is a great way to learn, but not all print professionals have the time to commit to finishing entire books. If you’re strapped for time but still don’t want to miss a learning opportunity, subscribe to Printer Success for weekly articles that you can read in 5 minutes.