What is Letterpress Printing?
Letterpress printing, or letterpressing, is an antique printing method that predates modern conveniences like computers or the digital printer.
My letterpress “Old Faithful” is about 130 years old.
Letterpress printing is a form of relief printing invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the fifteenth century. Gutenberg played a huge part in making books, particularly the Bible, accessible to more people. Over the years letterpress printing, and the machines used, have evolved into the modern printing we have today.
This relief printing method where the text or image is on a raised surface, much like a rubber stamp. Ink is applied to the raised surface and paper is pressed directly against it to transfer the text/image. The more pressure that is applied when stamped the greater the impression that is made onto the paper.
Letterpress today is most common in high quality wedding invitations, business cards, stationery, birth announcements, or other invitations for special occasions. In the past thirty years letterpress interest has surged as people discover the unique look that it offers over other traditional printing methods. Once you’ve seen a letterpress card it is clear to see what makes it stand out. The thick cotton paper and deep impression, called debossing, on the card combines to make letterpress one of the most unique and memorable printing methods out there.