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
- * Gelatin methods
- ** Hectograph
- ** Collography, autocopyist
- ** Chromograph, Copygraph, Polygraph
- * Flexography
- * Spirit duplicator
- Lithographic processes
- * Transfer lithography
- * Anastatic lithography
- * Autographic process
- * Offset lithography
- * Photolithography
- Stencil-based copying methods
- * Papyrography
- * Electric pen, invented by Thomas Edison
- * Trypograph
- * Cyclostyle, Neostyle
- Stencil-based machines
- * Mimeograph
- * Digital Duplicators
- Typewriter-based copying methods
- * Carbon paper
- * Blueprint typewriter ribbon
- * Carbonless copy paper
- Photographic processes:
- * Reflex copying process
- ** Breyertype, Playertype, Manul Process, Typon Process, Dexigraph, Linagraph
- * Daguerreotype
- * Salt print
- * Calotype
- * Cyanotype
- * Photostat machine
- * Rectigraph
- * Airgraph
- * Kodagraph autopositive paper
- * Kodagraph repro-negative paper
- * Diffusion transfer
- ** Verifax, Copyproof
- ** Photomechanical transfer
- * Duostat, duoprint
- * Retroflex (printing process)
- * Dual spectrum process
- * LightJet
- * Ozalid
- Chemical processes
- * Aniline process
- * Cyanotype
- * Diazotype
- Heat-sensitivity methods
- * Thermofax
- * 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