Jikji: The Oldest Existing Book Printed with Metal Movable Type
Jikji was printed in 1377 at Heungdeok Temple in Cheongju, Korea, using metal movable type. Its full title is "Baegun hwasang chorok buljo jikji simche yojeol," but it is commonly known as Jikji. The book was compiled by Monk Baegun, who selected essential teachings, letters, and sayings from the Buddha and other respected monks.
Baegun passed away before the printing was completed. His disciples, Seokchan and Daljam, carried out the printing using metal type. Jikji was used as a study guide for Buddhist monks and is now recognized as the world’s oldest surviving book printed with metal movable type, created 78 years before Gutenberg’s Bible.
Today, only the second volume of Jikji remains, and it is preserved at the National Library of France (BnF). The first volume has been lost. In 2001, UNESCO included Jikji in the Memory of the World Register, acknowledging its global historical and cultural value.
In 2001, Jikji was officially inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register as a documentary heritage of great historical significance.
The Invention of Metal Movable Type Printing
The invention of metal movable type in Korea predates the printing of Jikji by over 130 years. Although the earliest metal-type printed book is no longer extant, historical records such as Dongguk Yi Sang Gukjip by Yi Gyubo mention that a book called Sangjeong Yemun was printed using metal movable type during the Goryeo Dynasty.
While those earlier works have not survived, Jikji remains the oldest existing book printed with metal movable type. Metal movable type represented a revolutionary improvement over traditional woodblock printing, offering faster reproduction and greater efficiency in spreading knowledge.
Beyond its value as a religious text, Jikji symbolizes the transformative power of printing technology.
It marked a pivotal shift toward mass production and dissemination of information—an innovation that contributed to the growth of public consciousness and intellectual advancement.
The Making and Printing of Metal Movable Type
The UNESCO Jikji Prize
The UNESCO/Jikji Memory of the World Prize was established to honor the spirit of Jikji, the world’s oldest existing book printed with metal movable type. The prize recognizes individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage around the world.
Named after Jikji, which was printed 78 years before Gutenberg’s 42-line Bible, the award commemorates Korea’s pioneering role in printing technology and the transformative impact of recorded knowledge on human civilization. The prize was founded in 2004 by UNESCO in cooperation with the Republic of Korea and is awarded biennially.
The Jikji Prize continues to promote the universal value of Jikji by supporting global efforts to safeguard and share humanity’s recorded memory, in both traditional and digital forms.
Why Jikji and 3D Printing?
Just as Jikji revolutionized the way knowledge was printed and shared in 1377, 3D printing represents today’s cutting-edge innovation in how we create, replicate, and spread ideas. Both technologies mark turning points in human history—each redefining how we interact with information and transform it into physical form.
By connecting Jikji to 3D printing, we explore how printing, whether in ink or in plastic, has always been a force for cultural advancement and creative expression.
Jikji was recognized for its excellence not only in craftsmanship but also in its role as a transformative medium for sharing knowledge—earning its place in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
Similarly, 3D printing has been celebrated with numerous global awards, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and the CES Innovation Award, for its revolutionary impact on manufacturing, design, and even healthcare.
It is widely regarded as one of the most important inventions of the 21st century, enabling people to bring ideas to life with unprecedented speed, precision, and accessibility.
Together, they demonstrate how innovation in printing—past or present—continues to shape how we think, learn, and create.
Jikji Meets You: Start Your 3D Printing Journey
Ready to bring Jikji into the digital age?
Follow these steps to design your own metal type inspired by the world’s first movable type printing—then 3D print it and hold history in your hands!
Step 1: Choose Your Character
Pick a single Korean or any character that you want to turn into a Jikji-style type block. This could be your last name, a meaningful symbol, or even the character “직(直)” from Jikji itself.
Step 2: Design with CAD
Use a simple 3D modeling tool like Tinkercad or Fusion 360.
- Start with a square or rectangular base block
- Add your character in raised relief using a text or import tool
- Extrude both the base and the character for a traditional metal type look
- (Optional) Add subtle bevels or decorations for an authentic touch
Step 3: Export Your File (STL)
Once your design is done, export it as an .STL file — the standard format for 3D printing.
Step 4: Print Your Jikji
If you don’t have a 3D printer, no problem! Use the University of Utah’s 3D printing service:
Upload your file, select your material and size, and pick it up when it’s ready.
Step 5: Share Your Creation
Post your printed type on social media or your class website with the tag:
#MakeYourJikji #PrintThePast
Let the world know that you’re keeping Jikji’s legacy alive—one layer at a time.
Credits:
Created with an image by Viacheslav Yakobchuk - "Man touching the teeth model on the print bed"