TYPES OF PRINTING

LETTERPRESS

Letterpress is a form of relief printing where a text or image is pressed into the surface of the paper creating a beautiful, tactile de-boss.
Letterpress printing was the normal form of printing from the mid-15th century until the 19th century. It is a process that is completed entirely by hand so it is a less favoured form of printing today and as a result has been listed by the Heritage Crafts Association as an endangered craft. The process begins with a drawing or text which is digitised and created into a photopolymer plate (like a sort of plastic stamp). The photopolymer is mounted on the press and as the inked rollers pass over it and the platen closes the design is pressed into the paper and a beautiful impression is left behind.
It is a very slow, methodical process with each piece of paper being individually hand fed and each colour printed one by one.
It is a labour of love but that is what makes it so special. All letterpress printing is done in house using our antique British treadle press.

HOT FOIL

Hot foil printing is a similar process to letterpress but instead of ink, foil is applied instead. A combination of heat and pressure transfers the foil to the page leaving behind your lettering or illustration.
Hot foil printing can add a luxurious tactile finish to your wedding stationery and really help your invitations stand out.
As with letterpress, we digitally create the design which is sent away to be created into a metal plate. This plate is attached to the hot foil press which is then heated up and allows the foil to be transferred.
Hot foil typically comes in metallic colours - gold, silver, rose etc. but can also be applied in solid colours too depending on the look you want to achieve.
Letterpress inks are almost all translucent so if you want to achieve a solid white colour on a dark background or a shiny metallic finish then hot foil is the process you would need. Ultimately, which process is most suitable to you will depend on the look you want to achieve but this can all be worked out together.
All hot foil printing is done in house using our antique British foil press.

DIGITAL

Digital printing is the method of printing you will be most familiar with. This is the least expensive and quickest form of printing where the text or image is printed flat without any de-boss. It can be used in conjunction with letterpress or hot foil to create a more affordable end result but with a high end finish.
Typically larger bodies of text such as menus or order of service booklets would be printed digitally due to size limitations of the press.