[EdiX]

I vaguely remember that this has to do with more with the paper than with printing technology, the paper being very expensive until recently.

[katovatzschyn]

I cannot find the source but I remember the same also. As well, "printing press like" techniques were used early in clay pot design and marking, again can't find source, which is the essence of the idea. Only it could not expand to the scale required of modern printing press standards.