National Paste Up Day
About National Paste Up Day
When is National Paste Up Day? This day is always held on May 7
Today is National Paste Up Day. Sometimes called International Paste-Up Day, this holiday is always celebrated on May 7. Before the advent of computers and software programs, paste-up artists, also called layout artists, performed the task of preparing copy for printing presses.
Like any other industry, technology evolves, changing work processes and tasks. As computers and software programs evolved, the paste-up task in printed media disappeared. One might think that glue, paste, and other similar items like correction tape and white-out would also disappear. However, there still are uses for all of these items. Some are readily available in stores.
Clearly, this holiday was originally intended to recognize and celebrate the importance of paste-up artists or layout artists. And the importance of their role in published media should never be forgotten. However as previously stated, this position was eliminated with the arrival of computer software programs and technology. So, we suggest this holiday be extended to include school art projects where students still glue cutouts images, and even text onto construction paper for art projects. As the children work on their project, teachers can educate them about the role of paste-up artists and the history of preparing media for printing.
The History of Layout and Paste-Up Artists
Early Man’s first attempt at written communication with other humans was charcoal drawings of images on cave walls. Fast forward eons later, and we find Man writing on stone tablets and papyrus. Then, many more centuries later, Johann Gutenberg created the first printing press in 1455. And in 1621, we see the first newspaper published in Britain. From there, the printing industry grew in leaps and bounds. To prepare material for the presses, a paste-up artist, also called a “layout artist”, was required to fit and glue or affix text articles and images onto a sheet for the presses.
The position of paste-up artist was necessary from the time printing presses were invented until technology evolved and brought us computers and related software in the early 1990s. The new technology eliminated this position. Now, the process of layout and preparation of copies for printing newspapers, periodicals, magazines, and any printed project is easily performed using a software program on the computer. Moving text and images around is a simple task on the latest software programs. On occasion, you might still see a paste-up task in an office setting or an at-home project. But, even these are largely done with easy-to-use software programs.
How to Participate in National Paste Up Day
You can celebrate National Paste Up Day in a variety of ways:
- Learn more about the printing industry before computers existed.
- Learn more about the layout artist or paste-up artist job position.
- Be a layout artist for a day. Make a one-page flyer by gluing texts and images onto a piece of paper.
- Teachers, do an art project with your class today using cutouts glued to construction paper. Enlighten children about the layout artist’s job before computers. Think about the printing process as you read your newspaper or other periodicals.
- Visit a museum that has old-fashioned printing presses.
Today's Quote
“The older I get, the more clearly I remember things that never happened.” – – Mark Twain
History and Origin of National Paste Up Day
Paste Up Day was first celebrated somewhere during the 1920s to 1930s. At the time, the paste-up artist function was required in the printing business. Our research has not yet identified who created this holiday. Much later, it became known as National Paste Up Day.
This day is called a “National” day. We did not find any congressional records or presidential proclamations for this day.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.
More May 7 Holidays
Here is another May 7 holiday you will enjoy:
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