The History of Letterpress Printing
Admire letterpress printing? Not sure how it became what it is today? Letterpress printing is a relief printing process which utilizes raised engravings and metal type to imprint designs and words on a piece of paper or page. Originated in the early 1400s, Letterpress was the main printing form and communication for over 500 years. It was also used as the primary method in the publishing of books for many centuries, but has evolved over time to be more of an art form than a standardized printing practice.
These days, letterpress printing allows commercial modern day printers to create appealing designs and quality which differs from conventional printing methods. If you want to know more about letterpress printing and how it was invented, the following is a guide to the history of letterpress printing which will inspire, and may even delight you.
The Beginning of Letterpress Printing: Johann Gutenberg
Over the centuries, the printing press itself hasn’t changed much, apart from the ability to print more efficiently and quickly. Letterpress printing is one of the oldest printing methods known to mankind. Some of the earliest and more primitive letterpress printing dates back A.D 175 and was courtesy of the Chinese who invented paper 75 years earlier. This type of printing involved the impression of an inked surface with another material. Over the years, printing spread throughout Turkey, Korea, Japan, Asia, and Europe.
In the 15th century, Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press, and his mission was to bring books to the common people of the world. The process of printing a book before 1440 involved the use of wooden blocks and craftsmen to create entire pages of text. During this process, the wooden blocks had to be carefully carved so the letter would be prominent on the page without the sides touching the paper. After this was done, the blocks were inked and placed on the paper, creating impressions which were used for books and other communication methods. The problem with this, however, was that it was time-consuming.
Gutenberg’s efforts to create easier ways of printing allowed him to work on a metal type instead of wood-block page printing. This is where the printing press was born. Over the next few centuries, the printing press and industries involved underwent a lot of changes in order to achieve greater quality and production speeds. During the late 1960s to the early 1970s, letterpress printing was discarded by many printing industries and moved to offset lithography, which is now one of the main printing forms used today.
Letterpress Today
During the 1980s, letterpress printing had a small revival, with many smaller company printers wanting to produce stationery with a new feeling that offset printing couldn’t provide, although this didn’t become popular until the 1990s when Martha Stewart Weddings featured beautiful letterpress wedding invitations which sparked new interest in the uncommon printing method.
While original letterpress printing used a method called “kiss,” where the press touched the paper only long enough for ink to transfer, modern letterpress enthusiasts are more interested in the way new methods create deep impressions on a page. This is commonly called debossing. The appeal of letterpress printing is the desired concave surface, when done correctly. Offset printing is used for professional or home print jobs, while letterpress printing is used for elegance, class, and sophistication.
While some printers still utilize older methods of letterpress printing, many have turned to digital methods to help make the process much easier. With the advancements of computers, many stationery designers are capable of using software to create the desired effect needed. This software design can be pressed on paper to create colorful works of art.
What Is Letterpress Printing Used For?
Today letterpress printing is used for a large variety of work. The most popular form of letterpress stationery is for wedding invitations. This can be from a simple wedding invite to complete reply cards, detailed maps, and envelopes. Letterpress “save the date” cards are also becoming popular for couples. So are thank you cards, place cards, coasters, and more.
While weddings are a big money- maker, when it comes to letterpress printing, they aren’t the only stationery piece that uses this form of printing. Holiday cards, birth announcements, Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations, along with sympathy cards, have also used this elegant and respected printing method. Many businesses also use letterpress printing for promotional stationery and business cards.
In today’s society, letterpress is classed as a craft more than a popular printing form. It isn’t taught to apprentices in large printing companies, and the skills of those today are mostly taught by the older generation passing down knowledge skills to anyone in the new generation who is willing to explore and learn the different and beautiful ways of printing. Letterpress can be used for a great number of different stationery options to create fabulous products like no other. Although not as common as other printing methods, letterpress printing is definitely coming back in popularity.
Buying Letterpress Stationery
When choosing your stationery, it’s always best to remember a few things:
- Keep in mind the occasion or special event that you’re using the letterpress stationery for. For more elaborate occasions, such as a wedding, make sure the quality of the paper used is top form.
- The color of your stationery should also be considered, to ensure it meets with the theme you’re trying to portray.
- Letterpress stationery, depending on the paper and process used, can be expensive, especially when you buy in bulk, so make sure you keep an eye on your budget. Wedding stationery tends to be more expensive than other forms, and usually takes a lot out of your budget.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for the perfect American wedding stationery or greeting card, letterpress stationery may be the best option for you. Letterpress stationery, when done correctly, can create a theme of elegance, style, and beauty all on its own. So, are you considering letterpress stationery for your next big special occasion or special event?