What is Letterpress?
Letterpress technology is a traditional printing method that involves arranging individual letters, characters, and images (usually made of wood or metal) onto a press bed, inking them, and pressing them onto paper to create a printed image or text. It was the dominant form of printing from its invention by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century until the 20th century, when offset printing became more prevalent. Letterpress printing is valued today for its tactile quality and craftsmanship, often used in bespoke projects like invitations, business cards, and limited-edition prints.
One of the distinctive features of letterpress printing is its inherent imperfections, which contribute to the uniqueness of each print. The pressure applied during printing and the handmade nature of print blocks and type can cause slight variations in the ink distribution, resulting in subtle differences in texture and depth. These imperfections, such as minor misalignments or variations in ink coverage, are often seen as a hallmark of craftsmanship, giving each piece a handmade, artisanal quality that is difficult to replicate with modern printing methods. This uniqueness makes letterpress prints highly valued, especially for special occasions and artistic projects.