Letterpress Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Letterpress wedding invitations are a popular choice for couples who want their invites to stand out. This traditional printing method dates back to the 15th century and is synonymous with luxury. Letterpress invitations are printed on thick card, with part of the design pressed into the paper to create a deep impression. This effect requires specialised printing equipment.

Letterpress printing is a form of relief printing, where the text and designs are on a raised surface, such as a plate or metal type. Ink is applied to the raised surface and then paper is pressed directly against it to transfer the text and design, creating an indentation in the paper.

Letterpress invitations are a great way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding. They are available in a variety of colours and styles, including floral, classic, and modern, and can be customised to match your wedding theme.

Creating your own letterpress wedding invitations can be a fun DIY project, but it can also be time-consuming and costly. There are commercially available DIY kits that can make the process easier. However, if you're looking for a more convenient option, consider hiring a professional stationer to create your letterpress wedding invitations.

Choosing a letterpress kit

When choosing a letterpress kit, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, your budget. Letterpress kits can range from $50 to $150, so it's important to determine how much you are willing to spend. Another factor to consider is the type of machine. There are a few different options available, such as the L Letterpress, Fiskars Fuse Kit, Sizzix Big Shot, Cuttlebug, and Spellbinders BetterPress. These machines vary in price and features, so it's important to research which one will best suit your needs.

In addition to the machine, you will also need to purchase photopolymer printing plates. These plates can be custom-made to fit your specific design and typically cost around $35 for up to 50 square inches of printed area. You will also need an inking roller, which can be purchased for around $15, and practice paper to experiment with before moving on to your final project. When choosing paper for your invitations, look for uncoated fine-quality letterpress paper, preferably with a weight of 80# cover or thicker. Some recommended brands include Crane's Lettra, Mohawk Strathmore, Holyoke Cotton, and Reich Savoy Cotton.

Other supplies you may need include an inking plate, gage pins, soft shop rags, press wash or cleaning solvent, a pantone formula guide, and an apron. These items can range in price from a few dollars to around $20, so it's a good idea to shop around to find the best deals.

When purchasing a letterpress kit, it's also important to consider the level of difficulty you are comfortable with. Creating your own letterpress plates can be more challenging, while purchasing pre-made designs and plates is a more intermediate option. If you're looking for a simple project, consider purchasing a kit that includes all the necessary supplies and instructions.

Overall, choosing a letterpress kit involves considering your budget, the type of machine you want, the supplies and paper needed, and the level of difficulty you are comfortable with. By taking the time to research and plan, you can create beautiful letterpress wedding invitations that fit your style and budget.

Designing your invitations

Designing your letterpress wedding invitations is a fun and creative process that will set the tone for your big day. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Start with a draft: Before you begin designing, gather all your wedding details, including the names of the couple, wedding date, time, and location. Type out all the information in a text file to ensure accuracy and have it ready for when you start designing.
• Choose your design aesthetic: Select a design style that reflects your wedding theme and aesthetic. Whether it's rustic, botanical, modern, minimalist, or vintage, choose a style that complements your wedding vision.
• Consider the design principles: Keep design principles in mind when creating your invitation. Focus on contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity to create a cohesive and visually appealing layout. Establish a hierarchy of information, highlighting the most important details that you want your guests to notice first.
• Personalise your invitation: Make your invitation unique by incorporating meaningful elements. You can include a line drawing of your wedding venue, add illustrations of flora and fauna, or incorporate a motif that represents your relationship.
• Select your paper and colours: Choose a sturdy, luxurious cardstock for your letterpress invitations. Opt for cotton paper to achieve a crisp impression and vibrant colours. Decide on a colour scheme that matches your wedding palette, and consider using multiple colours to add depth and interest to your design.
• Embrace embellishments: Enhance the luxury experience of your invitation suite with embellishments such as silk ribbon, vellum jackets, or wax seals. These additions will create a multi-sensory experience for your guests and make your invitations truly memorable.
• Customise your suite: Create a personalised letterpress stationery suite that includes save-the-date cards, RSVP cards, place cards, wedding menus, and thank-you cards. Custom letterpress invitations exude exclusivity and allow you to reflect your personality in your wedding stationery.
• Keep it simple: If you want a minimalist look, opt for blind letterpress, which adds texture without colour. This technique is perfect for creating a subtle and elegant impression on your invitations.
• Seek inspiration: Browse online portfolios and real client weddings to gather ideas and find your style. You can also order free samples from some websites to get a feel for different paper types, printing techniques, and design options.

Ordering photopolymer plates

Photopolymer plates are made from a negative of your artwork. You can order them from companies like Boxcar Press, which offers perks such as friendly and free letterpress help, personal and attentive pre-press help, high-tech wonderland, free 2-day shipping in the U.S.A. for large orders, and international shipping.

• Get your artwork ready: If you’re working in Adobe Illustrator, change your colour mode to CMYK (File > Color mode > CMYK) and ensure your file is 100% black. Convert your text to outlines (Type > Create Outlines).
• Separate multiple colours into different plates: You’re charged by square inch, so consider this when submitting your files.
• Trim your artboards: Adjust them to the exact size of your artwork.
• Save your file in the correct format: EPS, AI, or PDF (but it must be a vector file, not a JPG saved as a PDF).
• Order your plates: Choose a company that suits your needs and budget. Keep in mind that you may need to pay for plate-ready prep and shipping.

Additionally, if you're looking for a cheaper option, you can select from pre-made vintage plates or design and print your work using wood or metal plates.

Cutting your paper

The paper you use for your letterpress wedding invitations is important. Letterpress paper needs to be thick enough that it doesn't break when the letters or patterns are pressed into the card. The thickness of letterpress paper stock starts at a minimum of 300gsm and looks best on cotton paper.

If you're cutting your own paper, it's best to order large sheets and cut them down to size. For my invitations and thank you cards, I had to hand-cut 110 individual pieces of 4.5 x 6.5 paper from 22 x 30” sheets. This took me about 3 hours. Here are some tips if you're cutting your own paper:

• Use a piece of thick tape square across your cutting mat.
• Physically mark your cut lines on your mat. This saves time from counting each time.
• Order your paper to size when possible.
• Order your paper samples 6 months in advance and get the paper company to cut all your paper to size for you.

Other Tips for Letterpress Wedding Invitations

Letterpress is a traditional printing method that has been used for centuries. It involves pressing a metal plate onto the paper to create an impression. This technique produces a beautiful, tactile texture.

If you're making your own letterpress wedding invitations, it's a good idea to do your research first. DIY projects can quickly become nightmares if you don't count the cost (both in time and money) before you begin. Here are some other tips:

• Get a good brayer.
• Expect to mess a few up.
• Raise your work area—cranking the roller machine can be hard on your back.
• Order your paper samples 6 months in advance.
• Use a glue stick to secure your invitation to the pocket.

Setting up your letterpress platform

First, choose the right letterpress platform. Look for one with a grid to help with alignment. A platform with alignment guides, such as small styrofoam rectangles with adhesive backing, will ensure your paper doesn't move around during the printing process. This is an important feature to avoid misprints and ensure the paper is square.

Once you have selected your letterpress platform, the next step is to align your paper. Use the grids or the provided placement guides to position your paper precisely on the platform. This step is crucial to achieving accurate registration and avoiding mistakes.

Now, determine the placement of your photopolymer plates. These plates carry the design that will be pressed into the paper. Cut the plates to size, if necessary, and stick them to the opposite side of the platform, ensuring they align correctly with the paper. You may need to do a few tests to get the positioning just right.

After you are satisfied with the alignment, it is time to ink your plates. Use a soft rubber brayer to apply a small amount of ink to the plates. Roll the brayer back and forth until it is evenly coated and makes a smooth, distinctive sound. Be careful not to use too much ink, as it can bleed out of the lines.

Finally, close the letterpress platform and run it through your roller machine. Be cautious when closing the lid, as the base of the platform should sit correctly to ensure the design is transferred to the intended area of the paper.

With your letterpress platform set up, you are now ready to start printing your wedding invitations. Remember to take your time, as letterpress printing is a delicate and hands-on process that requires precision and attention to detail.

Frequently asked questions