Letterpress Wedding Invitations: A Classic, Timeless Choice

Letterpress wedding invitations are a popular choice for those seeking a luxurious and elegant aesthetic for their special day. This printing technique dates back to the 15th century and involves imprinting words and designs onto thick card stock, creating a deep impression that exudes sophistication. The result is a sumptuous, textured effect that can be enhanced with ink or left 'blind' for a minimalist look. Letterpress invitations are highly customisable, accommodating various styles such as vintage, princess-style, and contemporary designs. They are also versatile, making them suitable for formal, beach, rustic, and other wedding themes.

Letterpress vs embossing

Letterpress, embossing, and debossing are all methods of pressing paper to add texture to a design. They can be used to create wedding invitations, business cards, or logos. However, there are some key differences between these three techniques.

Embossing is a process that raises the surface of a design, adding depth. This is achieved by sandwiching a sheet of paper between two dyes, with the desired design engraved or etched into the bottom dye. The raised area can be left plain, inked, or foiled. Embossing creates an attractive texture and is often used for official documents such as diplomas or certificates. The reverse side of an embossed design is debossed.

Debossing is the opposite of embossing, where the desired area is depressed or lowered into the paper. This process also uses two dyes, with one pressed into the paper from above and the other from below. The reverse side of a debossed design is embossed.

Letterpress is similar to debossing, but there is no impression on the reverse side. This technique uses one dye, which presses into the paper from above. Letterpress is a form of relief printing, where the text or image is on a raised surface. Ink is applied to the raised surface, and then the paper is pressed directly against it to transfer the design.

When deciding between letterpress, embossing, and debossing, it's important to consider the desired effect and the complexity of the design. Embossing adds texture and depth to a design, while letterpress and debossing create a more subtle impression. For intricate or complicated artwork, a simpler embossing design is recommended to avoid distortion.

In the context of wedding invitations, letterpress printing offers a traditional and elegant option. The invitations are printed on soft, velvety paper using classic printing techniques, creating a memorable first impression for guests.

Letterpress types and designs

Letterpress wedding invitations are a great way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding. Letterpress printing is a traditional printing method that creates a beautiful, tactile texture on the invitation. This is achieved by pressing a metal plate onto the paper to create an impression.

There are a variety of letterpress types and designs to choose from, ensuring that you can find the perfect invitation to match your wedding theme. From elegant calligraphy to bold, modern fonts, letterpress invitations can be customised to create a unique and personalised design.

Some popular letterpress designs include the following:

• Floral Frame Square Letterpress: This design features a square shape and a floral frame, adding a romantic and elegant touch.
• Monogrammed Eternity: This design showcases a monogram, making it perfect for couples who want to emphasise their combined identity.
• Classic Script: A timeless and elegant choice, featuring a classic script font.
• Romantic Calligraphy: This design uses romantic calligraphy, perfect for couples who want to convey a sense of love and emotion.
• Garden Elegance: Featuring elegant garden-inspired motifs, this design is perfect for outdoor or nature-themed weddings.

When choosing a letterpress design, consider the overall style and theme of your wedding. Letterpress invitations can be customised to match your colour palette, and you can also choose the type of paper used, ensuring a cohesive and stylish invitation suite.

Letterpress paper

Letterpress wedding invitations are the first impression your guests will have of your special day. The paper you choose will be a key part of this impression. Letterpress papers are usually uncoated paper stock, without any gloss or shine. They come in ivory or shades of white, from bright white to natural white.

The weight of letterpress paper is an important consideration. Paper is categorised by the weight of a ream of paper (500 sheets). A traditional 1-ply paper is usually 110lb (300 gsm) and a traditional 2-ply paper is usually 220lb (600 gsm). For context, printer paper for a copier or at-home inkjet printer is usually 20lb (54gsm).

The thickness of the paper will determine the impression depth ability and impression aesthetic. A softer impression can be achieved with a cotton rag paper, while bamboo paper or paper with less than 100% cotton content will give a softer but tighter fibre. Kraftboard and chipboard are thicker, heavy-weight paper boards that are great for hangtags and coasters.

Paper texture is another important factor. A paper with a nice texture that aligns with your overall aesthetic is a good choice. Crane's Lettra is a commercially popular option that is "soft and luxurious to the touch, yet strong and stable". Mohawk Paper is another option with a "lush tactility and smooth texture surface".

It is recommended to purchase or obtain paper samples to get a feel for the different options. Paper vendors often sell paper swatch books or offer free paper samples.

Letterpress printing techniques

Letterpress printing is a technique of relief printing that produces multiple copies by transferring ink from a raised surface onto individual sheets of paper or a continuous roll of paper.

Composition

The first step in the process of letterpress printing is composition, or typesetting, where a compositor or typesetter assembles the individual letters of movable type to form the desired text. This can be done by hand, letter by letter, or with the help of a keyboard.

Imposition and Lock-up

The second step is imposition or imposing, where the assemblages of type are converted into a form ready to be used on the press. A stoneman or stonehand arranges the various pages with respect to one another, ensuring that the pages will face the right direction and be in the correct order with the proper margins. Low-height pieces of wood or metal furniture are added to make up the blank areas of a page, and a mallet is used to ensure that the tops of the raised type blocks are aligned. Finally, the printer locks the entire complex of type, blocks, furniture, and chase (frame) into place, creating the final form.

Printing

The third and final step is printing. The printer inks the raised surface and presses paper against it, transferring the ink and creating an impression on the paper. Letterpress printing was originally carried out on platen presses, but later transitioned to flat-bed cylinder presses and then rotary presses.

Modern Innovations

While letterpress printing has been largely replaced by offset printing, it has seen a revival in artisanal and fine art forms. The development of photopolymer plates, which are made from a photosensitive plastic sheet that can be mounted on metal, has allowed for new design possibilities and easier production of printing plates.

Letterpress printing process

Letterpress wedding invitations are a popular choice for those who want their invites to stand out. This printing technique dates back to the 15th century and has always been associated with luxury. The letterpress process involves printing on thick card stock, with the design or text indented into the paper, creating a deep impression. This requires specialised printing equipment and can be combined with foil printing for an even more opulent look.

Letterpress differs from embossing, which is raised from the page, in that it is pushed down into the page. Letterpress can be used with a wide range of styles and colour palettes, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. It is particularly popular for weddings, adding a sense of elegance and formality to the event.

The letterpress printing process begins with the creation of a custom design or the selection of a pre-made design. The chosen design is then transferred to a letterpress plate, which is a metal or photopolymer plate etched with the mirror image of the design. This plate is then locked into a chase, which is a metal frame that holds the type in place. The chase is then locked into the bed of the letterpress machine, ensuring it is secure and level.

The paper stock is also carefully selected to ensure it can withstand the pressure of the letterpress process without breaking. The paper needs to be thick, with a minimum weight of 300gsm, and is often made from cotton to create a luxurious look and feel.

Once the design and paper stock are ready, the letterpress machine is inked. Ink rollers, or a brayer, are used to apply ink to the letterpress plate. The paper is then carefully fed into the machine, which applies pressure to the paper, imprinting the design onto the paper. The pressure of the letterpress process creates a deep impression that can be seen and felt, adding to the tactile experience of the invitation.

After printing, the invitations are left to dry, and any additional finishing touches, such as foil stamping or edge painting, may be added. The entire process is labour-intensive and requires specialised skills and equipment, contributing to the premium nature of letterpress invitations.

Frequently asked questions