Printing press

A printing press was a mechanical device for applying ink to a surface such as paper. They were useful for mass-producing texts and could replace the duties of a scribe or scrivener. A person who operated a printing press was called a printer.

They were unable to print magical texts, however, as the magic wouldn't stick to the page.

The technology remained crude and experimental in the early 1360s DR, producing poor quality texts. They were only suitable for cheap and low-quality pamphlets, handbills and flyers, while larger works were too expensive.

History
The dwarven printer Forgemaster Inkstain shipped a printing press up from Dwarves' Deep and began a printing business in the city of Procampur in the Vast. In the Year of the Helm, 1362 DR, the lama Koja of Khazari visited Inkstain to discuss printing his new book, A History of the Tuigan. However, Inkstain quoted a price of 8–10,000 gold pieces just for one copy, and 500 pieces for extras, which Koja was unable to pay or raise the money for.

Fortunately, the god Deneir, the Lord of All Glyphs and Images, appeared to Koja and granted him gems worth at least 10,000 gold pieces to pay for the costs of printing. Koja planned to have his book printed by Inkstain the next day.