Late last year I redesigned the Dot Design business cards and finally treated myself to abit of letterpress printing.
The results can be seen in the images above and below. As well as being letterpress printed the cards are also die-cut at one end to reflect the ‘D’ of Dot Design.
The cards were printed two Pantone colours on Saunders 425gsm, 100% cotton, high white.
So what is Letterpress printing?
…a printing technique dating back to the 16th century. The process involves inking the surface of movable type or blocks and pressing them onto a surface. Letterpress prints are crisp and tactile compared to other printing techniques because of the impression into the paper, giving greater visual definition.
Over the years various printing machines have been invented to ‘press letters’ onto paper. Our oldest presses were manufactured in Halifax, Yorkshire over 100 years ago. Made of cast iron they weigh in at just over half a tonne each! After all this time they print extremely delicate type or designs onto the finest papers. Testament to Victorian workmanship!
Here’s a rather quirky and slightly sad video about a letterpress printing company, it’s processes and techniques…
