The Printing Industry plays an important role in the dissemination of knowledge and information. It is also an excellent tool of spreading literacy and knowledge. To keep up the standards of printing high, the University had to have its own printing unit. Installation of a press in Andhra University is the brainchild of late Dr. V.S. Krishna, the then Vice-Chancellor during 1949-61, which has come to reality in 1962 during the period of Dr. A.L. Narayana, Vice-Chancellor. Founder Director Sri B. Muthuswami, Reader from English Department was appointed as Special Officer and became the Director of the Press. The Press was designed by Sri B. Muthuswami, keeping in view, the University teachers who produce valuable books through their research works, printing of journals, maintaining confidentiality in statutory meetings, agendas and minutes apart from meeting the needs of examination stationery. Latest automatic and fastest machines like Victoria Front from Germany (two machines), PD-5 from USSR of Double Demy size, Jobber (Double Crown), Russian Platen and two Grafo Machines were procured. For quality binding, Perfecta Cutting Machine (fully automatic), two Folding Machines, Double headed and Single headed Pinning Machines, Three-sides Trimmer, and other binding equipment like Ruling Machine, Cover making Die cutting Machine, etc., were also installed. To support the traditional Composing Unit, Linotype, a fastest Mechanical Composing Machine was added in 1970. A small Offset Machine and Block-making Unit were also added subsequently.
This unit, started with an initial strength of 20 employees had emerged as one of the best presses in Andhra Pradesh in quality; with a workforce of 140. In the year 1990, under the directorship of Prof. D.V. Krishna Rao, modernization of press was contemplated and funds were granted for the equipment by Prof. K.V. Ramana, the then Vice-Chancellor. HMT Invicta, of double demy size and Swift 150 (10" x 15") Offset Machines, DTP Unit with 5 terminals, and one Xerox Machine were installed and inaugurated on 11-8-1990. After two years, another Offset Machine, PO-25 was added to cater to the printing needs. In the year 2000, Prof. M.S. Prasada Rao, the then Director felt the necessity of a Copier Machine for printing job works of urgent nature such as small Leaflets, Brochures, Invitations, Sports & Merit Certificates, etc., and procured the machine. After the succession period of Prof. M.S. Prasada Rao, Department of Chemistry, Prof. D. Nageswara Rao, Department of Mechanical Engineering, A.U., has appointed as Director. During his period, he procured Rotary Machine to Machine Section, Perfect Binding Machine to Binding Section and Xerox Machine to DTP Section. In the year 2008, the then Director Prof. S. Ramakrishna Rao, Department of Civil Engineering, A.U., has felt the necessity of colour printing machine for that he procured the colour (single) printing machine named "DOMINANT 715A" (Offset) & Sheeter for printing the colour printing works in Press along with two Nos. of Sewing Machines to Binding Section for Examination Stationary purpose.
The Press had a succession of able Directors after Sri B. Muthuswami. Dr. C. Borreswara Rao from Geology Department, Prof. V. Subba Rao from Marine Engineering, Prof. Y. Ranga Rao from Commerce, Prof. K. Subba Rao and Prof. D.V. Krishna Rao from Physics, Prof. P. Rajendra Prasad from Geophysics, Prof. M.S. Prasada Rao from Chemistry, Prof. D. Nageswara Rao from Mechanical Engineering Department, Prof. S. Ramakrishna Rao, Civil Engineering Department, Prof. G. Gnanamani, Zoology Department, Prof. U. Viplava Prasad, Chemistry Department, Prof. G. Sudarsana Rao, Department of Commerce & Management Studies, Prof. Ch.Pandu Ranga Reddy, Department Of HSS, Prof. Pulipati King, Department of Chemical Engineering have succeeded and present Director Prof. T. V. Krishna, Department of Geography, A.U.College of Science & Technology, has also extending his ideas to put the Press into smooth sailing and also transformation from traditional to modern technology.