Letterpress 101: Intro

Printing Process

May 22

People don’t tend to brag about having old machines in their shops, but those people probably don’t have a classic Heidelberg windmill letterpress like we do. The letterpress dates back to the 1400s and was the primary form of printing for over 500 years. Today, letterpress printing is commonly referred to as a dying art and the few shops that have a letterpress aren’t mass producing texts. Instead, modern letterpress printing focuses on design, creating a uniquely tactile, high-quality finish that you won’t find on digital prints.

Now I’ve told you what letterpress printing is and why it’s awesome, but judge for yourself. Below are some gorgeous examples of what the letterpress can achieve. Stay tuned to this series for insight into designing for the letterpress and some helpful tips.

1) A close-up image of the detail of a calendar.

2) An example of large typography on the letterpress.

3) Some simple business cards look classic with the letterpress printing relief.

4) These save the date “tickets” are another example of typography design on the letterpress.

5) A unique example of type being printed overtop of a colorful background design.

6) The tactile appeal of the letterpress is obvious in this example.

7) A close-up of the gorgeous type relief on this print.

8) An example of a more simple print.

9) A combination of letterpress printing and the blind deboss effect the letterpress can achieve as well.

10) This wedding invite uses dots and overlapping printing for a more textured design.

11) An example of a bordered invite on the letterpress.

Are you just itching to start your own letterpress project now? Before you do, get some helpful tips from the next installment of this series, FGS’s Letterpress 101: Basic Design!