Buktryck

Buktryck, often written boktryck in Swedish, refers to the process of producing books by printing text and images from reproduction surfaces, traditionally movable metal type, but also plates or digital files. It encompasses the technical, organizational and economic aspects of publishing a book in multiple copies.

The practice began in Europe in the 15th century with the invention of movable-type printing, attributed to Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz around 1450. The new method allowed far greater production speed than manuscript copying, leading to incunabula—books printed before 1501—and a rapid spread of literature, science, and religion. Early boktryck was dominated by letterpress with ink rolled onto raised type, transferring to paper in a single impression.

Over time, improvements in type design, paper quality and press mechanisms increased efficiency and enabled larger runs. The 19th century saw a shift to offset lithography and later to digital printing in the late 20th century, expanding capacity and reducing costs. Digital printing, print-on-demand and online distribution have further transformed the economics of book production, often bypassing traditional printing runs.

A modern boktryckeri or printing house coordinates multiple stages: typesetting or digital layout, plate or press preparation, printing, binding and finishing, and quality control. The craft and industry also include design, typography, color management and environmental considerations such as paper sourcing and print waste.

The term remains central to publishing history and practice. While most mass-market books are produced with offset or digital printing, letterpress and other traditional methods are preserved for artisanal editions, education, and cultural heritage.