What's old is new again! Letterpress printing is the original method of printing. It is done using a "relief" method in which a negative raised surface is inked and then pressed into the paper creating a "positive" impression. More recently, letterpress printing has seen a revival in an artisanal form. Fine letterpress work is crisper than offset litho printing because of its impression into the paper, giving greater visual definition to the type and artwork (basically it means that its cool as hell)!
We print our letterpress pieces on our antique Gally Universal press (nicknamed Dottie Ruth after Cortney & Erin's grandmothers and which we purchased from an old Newspaper printer in Greenfield MA). When Dottie got back to NH and was set up in the studio she was tired from her long journey and she didn't quite work. Cue Erin's Father-in-law and Grandfather-in-law (a sheet metal fabricator and machinist at the navy yard respectively) who came to her rescue. When they say: "they don't make um like they used to" it really is true. These guys went to work and brought her back to life using skills that we just don't get to see in action much anymore so it was pretty cool to watch!
The old fashioned way to print was to use metal type or even linotype which was made with hot lead. While we still use metal type on occasion the modern letterpress printing involves using a photopolymer plate. What most people don't realize is that color changes need to be run through the machine each time and hand-fed perfectly. Making sure the set up is correct takes time and attention to detail so the cost difference between letterpress and offset can be dramatically different. However nothing beats the feel of a beautiful piece of pressed cotton paper!
Even if you opt out of letterpressed stationery, Dottie Ruth would love for you to come visit!
