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Glite Dictionary
flatbed press

flatbed press

7.5
A machine that prints by pressing paper onto a flat surface with a roller
  • noun
  • /ˈflætˌbɛd prɛs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : prensa plana
  • Many small printing shops still use a flatbed press for specialty projects.

Examples

  • The invention of the rotary press eventually replaced the flatbed press in large-scale newspaper printing.

  • The museum displayed an antique flatbed press from the early 20th century.

  • The flatbed press is essential for high-quality printing.

  • Many companies use a flatbed press for their printing needs.

  • The artist used a flatbed press to produce high-quality prints of her work.

  • At the workshop, we learned how to operate a flatbed press for printing custom designs.

  • The museum showcased an old flatbed press that was used for printing newspapers in the 20th century.

Synonyms

press
vsflatbed press
141 4.1

A machine that uses pressure to shape, cut, or squeeze things

refers specifically to the device that transfers arranged type images by rolling pressure
printing press
vsflatbed press
23 3.1

A machine that makes many copies of pages with text or pictures on paper

is the specific method using a level bed and rolling pressure rather than general production
printing machine
vsflatbed press
  • Specialized
1 2.8

A machine that puts words and pictures onto paper

is the particular technique that arranges type on a level surface and uses rolling pressure
cylinder press
vsflatbed press
  • Archaic
8.0

A printing machine where a cylinder rolls paper over a flat bed of letters to copy text

places type on a level surface and applies rolling drum pressure to transfer images

How Fast

rotary press
  • Specialized
5.7
flatbed press
  • Specialized
7.5
handpress
  • Archaic
7.3

Surface Forms

flatbed press singular
flatbed presses plural

Morphology

flatbed + press

Even though 'flatbed' is not listed separately, a B1 learner who knows 'flat' and 'bed' can readily infer a flat surface/platform, and 'press' is a device that applies pressure. The overall meaning — a press that uses a flat bed to hold type or an image — is compositionally predictable and follows common compound-noun logic, so learners who know the constituents will understand it.

Etymology

Flatbed press is named for the way it works: a flat bed, a level table, holds the inked letters or picture and a heavy roller pushes the paper down onto it. So the name shows it is a press that prints from a flat surface.