FAQ’S

WHAT IS HAND-SET TYPE?

Letterpress is an old form of handset printing dating back to the 15th century. Pieces of movable type are assembled to form the desired text or image. The form is then placed on the press for inking and printing. The process requires a high degree of craftsmanship and patience, but in the right hands, letterpress excels at fine typography and design. Movable type may consist of metal or wood. Shown below is an overview of metal type ornamental design. Other letterpress methods include wood and linoleum block carvings, photopolymer plates, copper and magnesium plates.

WHAT IS PHOTOPOLYMER?

Photopolymer can be used to generate printing plates, which are then pressed onto paper like metal type. This is often used for modern computer generated designs without needing to engrave artwork into metal or cast metal type. If handset metal type does not fit your needs, photopolymer options may be available depending on the design. Other options also available are magnesium and copper plates.

CUSTOM LETTERPRESS & DESIGN SERVICES

• Stationery

• Postcards

• Posters

• Custom Prints

• Wedding Stationery

• Announcements & Invitations

• Small Business Packaging

• Special Events

• Personal Holiday Cards

• Business Holiday Greetings

• Coasters

If you are thinking of keeping your stationery as authentic and vintage as possible using my studio’s collection of handset type, ornaments and borders dating back to the 1900’s, then we’ll make a great team!

Handset type has special considerations to keep in mind such as physical limitations and the studio’s ever increasing collection of type offering. Please contact me directly for pricing and booking availability.

Why choose letterpress over any other printing method? In short there is no right or wrong answer. However, if you have an appreciation for centuries old craft and are seeking a tactile, simple and classic way to make a lasting impression - letterpress is certainly a strong contender.

The first important thing to know is that letterpress is a hands-on process. It’s about as far as you can get from a home digital printer. Each piece will be handled and modified multiple times as it goes from raw stock to a finished piece. Letterpress printing embeds ink into softer more fibrous papers. Each impression left is slightly different from the last, and yet just as beautiful.

Offset and digital printing excels at halftone perfections, gradients and flawless solid color spreads but letterpress does NOT - well not in my shop! Letterpress is fabulous for so many reasons but mimicking offset is not one.

Thank you in advance for considering to support the craft of letterpress printing.