author
William Savage
1770–1843
A practical-minded early 19th-century printer who wrote from hands-on experience, he helped explain the craft of printing at a time when the trade was rapidly evolving. His books are still remembered for turning workshop knowledge into clear, useful guidance.
1 Audiobook
A dictionary of the art of printing
by William Savage
About the author
William Savage (1770–1843) was an English printer, engraver, draughtsman, and author associated with the technical side of the printing trade. He was born in Howden, Yorkshire, and later worked in London, where he became connected with the Royal Institution.
Savage is best known for writing about printing in a direct, practical way. His works include Practical Hints on Decorative Printing and A Dictionary of the Art of Printing, books that drew on real workshop experience and helped explain the tools, processes, and vocabulary of the craft.
Alongside his writing, he was also known for experimenting with color printing from wood engravings. That combination of working printer and clear explainer gives his books their lasting appeal: they preserve the everyday knowledge of the pressroom while opening it up to readers beyond it.