The new press printed both local newspapers, university documents, The Daily Princetonian, and later added book publishing to its activities.

[5] Beginning as a small, for-profit printer, Princeton University Press was reincorporated as a nonprofit in 1910.

Princeton University Press joined The Association of American Publishers trade organization in the Hachette v. Internet Archive lawsuit which resulted in the removal of access to over 500,000 books from global readers.

Multi-volume historical documents projects undertaken by the press include: The Papers of Woodrow Wilson has been called "one of the great editorial achievements in all history.

From 1945, the foundation had independent status, publishing and providing fellowships and grants in several areas of study, including archaeology, poetry, and psychology.