印刷（pringting）的傳統(tǒng)定義是：以文字原稿（word original）或圖像原稿（picture original）為依據(jù)，利用直接或間接的方法制成印版（printing plate），再在印版上敷上粘附性色料，在機(jī)械壓力的作用下，使印版上一定量的粘附性色料轉(zhuǎn)移到承印物（printing stock）表面上，從而得到復(fù)制成的批量印刷品的技術(shù)。

  由于圖文復(fù)制技術(shù)在不斷地發(fā)展，已出現(xiàn)了靜電印刷（electrostatic printing）、噴墨印刷（ink-jet printing）等方法，因而有些新的印刷方法,不一定需要施加壓力，所以不再把機(jī)械壓力作為印刷的必要條件。

  廣義的印刷，實(shí)際上是制版（plate making, 依據(jù)原稿復(fù)制成印版）、印刷（印版上的圖文信息被轉(zhuǎn)移到承印物的表面）、印后加工（post-press finishing，將印刷產(chǎn)品按要求的開關(guān)和使用性能進(jìn)行的加工，如加工成冊或制成盒等）的總稱。狹義的印刷, 指將印版上的圖文信息所粘附的色料轉(zhuǎn)移到承印物表面的工藝技術(shù)。

  印刷品具有傳播和儲存信息的功能，它與錄音、錄像、攝影、電影、電視等的信息儲存方法不同，它不需借助任何儀器設(shè)備，而通過眼睛的感官即可獲得信息。因此，自有印刷術(shù)以來，它在信息的傳輸和存儲上，一直占有重要的地位。

  隨著科學(xué)技術(shù)的發(fā)展，信息儲存的手段越來越多，但印刷作為基本、簡便的信息儲存手段，仍將發(fā)揮作用，不可能由其他信息儲存方法全部代替。

      The traditional definition of printing (pringting) is: based on word original or picture original, using direct or indirect methods to make a printing plate, and then apply adhesion on the printing plate The colorant, under the action of mechanical pressure, transfers a certain amount of adhesive colorant on the printing plate to the surface of the printing stock, so as to obtain the technology of copying into batch prints.
      Due to the continuous development of graphic reproduction technology, methods such as electrostatic printing and ink-jet printing have emerged. Therefore, some new printing methods do not necessarily require pressure, so mechanical          Pressure is a necessary condition for printing.
      Printing in a broad sense is actually plate making (copying into a printing plate based on the original manuscript), printing (the graphic information on the printing plate is transferred to the surface of the substrate), post-press finishing, the printing of the product The general term for processing according to the required switch and performance, such as processing into a book or into a box, etc.). In a narrow sense, printing refers to the process technology of transferring the color material attached to the graphic information on the printing plate to the surface of the substrate.
      Printed matter has the function of disseminating and storing information. It is different from the information storage method of sound recording, video recording, photography, film, television, etc. It does not need any equipment, but can obtain information through the senses of the eyes. Therefore, since printing, it has always occupied an important position in the transmission and storage of information.
  With the development of science and technology, there are more and more information storage methods, but printing, as a basic and simple information storage method, will still play a role, and it is impossible to replace all other information storage methods.