Presses

Presses are devices and institutions that apply pressure to shape, extract, or transfer material, or to disseminate information. The term can refer to mechanical devices used in manufacturing, printing presses used to reproduce text and images, and institutions of journalism collectively known as the press.

In manufacturing, presses include punch presses, hydraulic presses, and screw presses. They convert mechanical energy into a compressive force to cut, form, or assemble components, often using dies in sheet metal work. Press tonnage, stroke length, and bed size determine capability; safety devices and control systems govern operation. Common applications include stamping, forming, bending, and compacting materials.

Printing presses reproduce text and images on paper and other substrates. From the early hand presses of the 15th century to steam-powered and electrically driven machines, presses transfer ink from a form or plate to a substrate. Types include letterpress, offset lithography, gravure, and high-speed web presses. In modern publishing, digital presses and inkjet systems also fall under the term.

Wine, fruit, and olive presses extract liquids by applying pressure, ranging from screw or hydraulic systems to press bags; their design aims to maximize yield while limiting oxidation.

The press or news media encompasses organizations, reporters, and outlets that report events, analyze information, and serve as a watchdog. Press freedom, access to information, and ethics are central issues in journalism, with laws and norms shaping how information is gathered and published.