Surface printing
{{Short description|Printing method}}
File:Wallpaper-surface-printing-machine.jpgSurface printing is an automated printing method. It first used in 1839. Most wallpaper was originally printed on surface printing machines. Surface printing machines are structured similarly to a ferris wheel, with a large central roller over which the paper travels; the individual ink rollers transfer an image to the paper on the main roller.
History
Surface printing was first used in 1839.{{cite book |last1=Entwisle |first1=Eric Arthur |title=Wallpapers of the Victorian Era |year=1964 |publisher=F. Lewis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W1lJAQAAIAAJ&q=1839%20surface%20printing%20wallpaper |language=en}}{{page needed|date=November 2022}} It is the oldest automated printing method still in use today.{{cite book |title=Artifex |year = 1969| publisher=Oriel Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eSMsAQAAIAAJ&q=surface%20printing%20wallpaper |language=en}}{{page needed|date=November 2022}} Most wallpaper was originally printed on surface printing machines.{{cite book |last1=Bisset |first1=Donald E. |title=The Printing Ink Manual |year=1984 |publisher=Van Nostrand Reinhold |isbn=978-0-442-30600-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ksJaAAAAYAAJ&q=surface%20printing%20wallpaper |language=en |page=203}}
Technique
Surface printing machines are structured similarly to a ferris wheel, with a large central roller that the paper travels over. Up to 12 individual ink rollers transfer an image to the paper on the main roller, laying down heavy amounts of ink.{{cite book |last1=Industry |first1=Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper |title=TAPPI Monograph Series |year=1960 |publisher=Technical association of the pulp and paper industry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xQBwAAAAIAAJ&q=surface%20printing%20wallpaper |language=en}}{{page needed|date=November 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Publications |first1=Home Buyer |title=Old House Interiors |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CzEEAAAAMBAJ&q=surface+printing+wallpaper&pg=PA49 |publisher=Home Buyer Publications |language=en |date=April–May 2001|page=49}} Because the ink is pushed onto the paper, the images are not as crisp as the other methods.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} Also, there is no drying stage between laying down each color, so the order of color run-throughs is very important to keep the inks from running into each other.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} Because of the amount of ink required for impressions, and the inexact image rendering, surface printing has a very distinct look.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}