Until the invention of the offset printing process in the late 18th century, which is now the predominant printing technology, the standard method of printing was predicated on Johannes Gutenberg’s development of movable type and the use of a modified wine press in the mid 15th century to transfer letterforms to paper. Gutenberg’s printing methodology is known as letterpress printing.
What is Letterpress Printing?
Also called relief printing, letterpress printing involves applying ink to a raised surface and then pressing a sheet of paper onto that surface to transfer the ink to the paper. For text, individual letterforms are arranged into a frame (or chase) for each page of text to be printed. Lines of text were separated (spaced) using lead bars (the origin of the term leading), inked and printed. Initially, lines of type would be set by hand in a time-intensive, laborious process. However by the late 19th century, with the invention and development of the linotype machine, text could be rapidly composed and set. In addition to the movable type, printers could incorporate woodcuts and wood engravings to print images/illustrations.
Revival of Letterpress Printing
Letterpress printing survived as a viable printing technology until the 1970s. By the 1980s, computer technology and offset printing had made letterpress printing obsolete and most commercial letterpress printers closed up shop. However, by the late 1990s, artisanal letterpress printing shops began to reappear as letterpress printing presses were being sold for pennies on the dollar. Martha Stewart Weddings magazine played a significant role in popularizing letterpress printing in the late 90s and early 00s by featuring invitations printed on letterpress presses.
The Appeal of Letterpress Printing
Because paper is pressed onto a raised surface, the printed text or image creates an impression in the surface of the paper. While commercial letterpress printers tried to limit or remove this surface impression (particularly newspaper printers), today this surface impression is seen as unique and desirable. Letterpress printing is not ideal for large scale projects or production runs, but can provide high quality printing to smaller projects such as upscale stationery and invitations, fine book editions, business cards, greeting cards, etc.
If you have any questions about Letterpress Printing, give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
Photo by Amador Loureiro
