Printing Method Primer

Letterpress

Our personal favorite-letterpress printing hails from the 14th century and, owing to its fine detail and craftsmanship, is again very much in vogue. The process involves engraving designs into magnesium plates, which are then coated in ink and pressed into the paper creating a crisp, tactile impression. Trés luxe.

Offset Printing

The most common printing for greeting cards and personal stationery. Type is set on a printing press and transferred to a flat rubber surface, then applied to the paper, creating a smooth, rich color treatment on the page.

Hand Silkscreen Printing

Very few card designers employ this unique process. We are thrilled to carry one of the very best designers in hand silkscreen printing, Great Arrow Graphics. In their words: "Screenprinting is a stencil technique in which the printer uses a rubber-bladed squeegee to force ink through the mesh of a screen; only the open areas of the mesh allow the ink to pass through. The squeegee process is repeated for each color on each card, with time allowed between each pass for the cards to dry."

Embossing

A process used on luxe greeting cards, but most often seen on monograms, crests, or symbols. Letters or images are cut into a plate, which when pressed into paper creates a raised, three-dimensional impression. In blind embossing, no ink is used. In debossing, the image is pressed below the paper for a sunken appearance.

Laser/Ink Jet Printing

The printing of choice in offices and homes. Best when used for informal occasions. Both types of machines apply ink directly to the paper, creating a flat printed appearance on the page. To make the print permanent, ensure you purchase a machine capable of handling permanent, waterproof ink. We prefer waterproof, permanent inkjets for the best look as inkjet ink tends to "sink" into the paper creating a richer look. The great news is, these machines are very affordable. We recommend the Epson Stylus C88 for low-cost and high quality.