- Source: List of duplicating processes
This is a partial list of text and image duplicating processes used in business and government from the Industrial Revolution forward. Some are mechanical and some are chemical. There is naturally some overlap with printing processes and photographic processes, but the challenge of precisely duplicating business letters, forms, contracts, and other paperwork prompted some unique solutions as well. There were many short-lived inventions along the way.
Duplicating processes
Within each type, the methods are arranged in very rough chronological order.
Methods of copying handwritten letters
Manifold stylographic writer, using early "carbonic paper"
Letter copying book process
Mechanical processes
Tracing to make accurate hand-drawn copies
Pantograph, manual device for making drawn copies without tracing, can also enlarge or reduce
Printmaking, which includes engraving and etching
Relief printing including woodcut
Intaglio (printmaking) or copperplate engraving
Planographic printing
Line engraving
Printing/Applied ink methods
Letterpress printing (via printing press)
Gelatin methods (also indirect method)
Hectograph
Collography, autocopyist
Chromograph, Copygraph, Polygraph
Flexography
Spirit duplicator (also Rexograph, Ditto machine, Banda machine, or Roneo)
Lithographic processes
Transfer lithography
Anastatic lithography
Autographic process
Offset lithography
Photolithography
Stencil-based copying methods
Papyrography
Electric pen, invented by Thomas Edison
Trypograph (also file plate process)
Cyclostyle, Neostyle
Stencil-based machines
Mimeograph (also Roneo, Gestetner)
Digital Duplicators (also called CopyPrinters, e.g., Riso and Gestetner)
Typewriter-based copying methods
Carbon paper
Blueprint typewriter ribbon
Carbonless copy paper
Photographic processes:
Reflex copying process (also reflectography, reflexion copying)
Breyertype, Playertype, Manul Process, Typon Process, Dexigraph, Linagraph
Daguerreotype
Salt print
Calotype (the first photo process to use a negative, from which multiple prints could be made)
Cyanotype
Photostat machine
Rectigraph
Airgraph (also V-mail)
Kodagraph autopositive paper
Kodagraph repro-negative paper
Diffusion transfer
Verifax, Copyproof
Photomechanical transfer (also PMT')
Duostat, duoprint
Retroflex (printing process)
Dual spectrum process
LightJet
Ozalid
Chemical processes
Aniline process
Cyanotype (used for blueprints)
Diazotype (also whiteprint, ammonia print, or gas print)
Heat-sensitivity methods
Thermofax (also thermography)
Eichner drycopy process
Adherography
Electrostatic methods
Electrofax
Xerography, Photocopying
Ultraviolet-sensitivity methods
APT process, for transferring drawings to animation cels
Image scanning and digital printing
External links
Duplicating in the year B.C. - Before (xerographic) Copies at the Wayback Machine (archived June 24, 2009)
Making Copies from Carbon to Kinkos
Copies in Seconds (PDF)
Antique Copying Machines at Officemuseum.com
Office and Reprographic Printing Cheatsheet – Preservation Self-Assessment Program