The Renaissance spread through various means, including:

1. Trade and Commerce: The growth of trade and commerce during the Renaissance allowed for the exchange of ideas and cultural influences between different regions. Merchants and traders traveled extensively, bringing back new ideas, art, and knowledge from other parts of the world.

2. Printing Press: The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century revolutionized the spread of information. Books, pamphlets, and other printed materials became more accessible and affordable, allowing for the dissemination of Renaissance ideas to a wider audience.

3. Patronage: Wealthy individuals, such as nobles, merchants, and the Church, became patrons of the arts and sciences during the Renaissance. They supported artists, writers, and scholars, providing them with resources and financial backing to create and disseminate their works.

4. Universities and Academies: The establishment of universities and academies during the Renaissance provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and the education of scholars. These institutions attracted intellectuals from different regions, fostering the spread of Renaissance thinking.

5. Humanist Networks: Humanism, a key intellectual movement of the Renaissance, emphasized the importance of education, individualism, and the study of classical texts. Humanist scholars formed networks and corresponded with each other, sharing ideas and promoting the spread of Renaissance values.

6. Travel and Exploration: The Age of Exploration during the Renaissance led to the discovery of new lands and cultures. Explorers, such as Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama, brought back knowledge, artifacts, and ideas from their voyages, contributing to the spread of Renaissance thinking.

7. Migration and Diaspora: Political, economic, and religious factors led to the migration of people during the Renaissance. As individuals moved from one region to another, they carried with them their ideas, skills, and cultural practices, contributing to the diffusion of Renaissance ideals.

Overall, the Renaissance spread through a combination of trade, communication, patronage, education, and exploration, creating a cultural and intellectual movement that transformed Europe and beyond.