There's something undeniably captivating about receiving a beautifully crafted letterpress or foil printed invitation. Knowing that someone has hand crafted each wedding invitation with letterpress or foil is unparalleled, making it a great choice for those looking to leave a lasting impression.
Letterpress is an age-old printing technique, which involves applying ink to a raised surface and pressing it onto paper. This process results in a tactile finish that makes you feel with your eyes. The deep pillowy impression and texture of letterpress invitations not only catch the eye but also engage the sense of touch, in a way that is unmatched.
Foil wedding stationery on the other hand, captures your attention with it's sense of luxury created with a metallic finish, often seen in gold or silver (and in our case, a lot of holographic!). Foil printing involves applying foil to paper by applying pressure, but unlike with letterpress printing, it uses heat.
We're going to take a look at the difference between letterpress and foil printed wedding invitations, a question I have so often from the couples I work with!
The history and evolution of letterpress
Letterpress printing has a rich history that dates back to the mid-15th century. The technique was first popularized by Johannes Gutenberg, who introduced movable type to Europe around 1440. This revolutionary method allowed for the mass production of texts, drastically changing the landscape of communication and education. Gutenberg's invention laid the foundation for the printing industry as we know it today, and letterpress became the predominant form of printing for centuries.
As the years progressed, letterpress printing evolved alongside advances in technology and design. The 19th century saw the introduction of steam-powered printing presses, which increased efficiency and production speed. This era marked the golden age of letterpress, as it became synonymous with high-quality printing for books, newspapers, and, eventually, wedding invitations. The artistry involved in typesetting and the exquisite quality of letterpress made it the preferred choice for special occasions, from weddings to formal events, where the tactile experience of the printed piece could enhance the overall aesthetic.
The history of foil printing
The roots of foil printing can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where gold leaf was used for decorative purposes on manuscripts and religious texts. By the mid-20th century, foil stamping became popular in commercial printing for packaging, greeting cards, and book covers.
This technique eventually made its way into the world of wedding stationery, becoming a symbol of elegance and refinement. In contemporary times, foil printing has evolved, employing modern technology to create stunning metallic accents that enhance wedding invitations. Foil block printing remains popular in luxury branding, wedding invitations, and other high-end products, known for its eye-catching shine and tactile quality.
Why choose letterpress for your invitations
Choosing letterpress for your invitations is a decision rooted in the appreciation for handmade wedding invitations. When you hold a letterpress invitation, you can literally feel the craftsmanship. By choosing letterpress, you are not just sending out invitations; you are creating a memorable experience that reflects your appreciation for quality and artistry. In a world of fleeting digital messages, we believe that the beauty of letterpress invites stands the test of time, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who receives them.
Letterpress invitations allow for a huge range of customization. From selecting the right paper to choosing unique and fun colored inks, the design possibilities are endless. We love layering up different bold colors on white uncoated card stocks, and pairing our colored card stocks with tonal ink shades - something we're now known for.
Why choose foil for your invitations
One of the most significant advantages of incorporating foil into your wedding invitations is the luxurious look and feel that foil provides. The metallic finish instantly elevates a simple invitation, making it stand out among other stationery.
Another benefit of foil wedding stationery is its versatility. Foil can be applied to various types of paper goods, including save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, as well as other materials like silk, velvet and leather. Furthermore, foil printing is known for its durability and quality. Unlike letterpress inks that can fade or smudge, foil accents are resistant to wear and tear, ensuring that the invitations remain pristine until the big day. This longevity adds value to the stationery, as it can serve as a cherished keepsake long after the wedding.
Letterpress and foil wedding invitations: Examples and inspiration
When it comes to letterpress invitations, the possibilities for creativity are virtually limitless. Letterpress printing is a great way to elevate even the simplest of wedding invitations. You can choose to use lots of different colors on your wedding invitations to create something bold with maximum impact, or use 'blind' letterpress printing if you want the focus to be on the texture letterpress printing brings to piece of card.
I personally find that foil lends itself better to colorful wedding stationery, as foil is not transparent like letterpress ink is. This means you can get a lot more creative with your color palette for your wedding invitations, which I love (no surprise here!). Most people have seen foil wedding stationery that use gold or silver, but foils come in such a wide range of colors and finishes and don't necessarily have to be metallic and shiny, if that's not your jam!
Finding a letterpress printer or foil wedding stationery studio
Finding the right letterpress or foil printer is essential for bringing your wedding invitation to life. I will always start with a simple google search if I'm looking for someone local, but instagram really hits the mark being a highly visual social media platform, and most wedding stationery or printing businesses ship globally these days (ourselves included!).
My tips for looking for the right letterpress printers, are printers that print onto the kinds of paper stocks you want to use. Some might print only on handmade paper, and some you'll see have printed on a range of colored stocks. You'll also want to look at the impression they leave on the paper, and whether that suits the finish you prefer! I personally love a deep and pillowy impression, tonal and colorful inks, and colored card stocks.
My tips for looking for the right foil wedding stationery studio, is by really looking at the printing quality. Foil printing is a lot more finicky than letterpress, the foil can bleed or become patchy if it's not applied with the correct pressure or temperature. I also recommend looking again at the range of papers the wedding stationery studio uses, and the types of foil! We specialize in holographic foils and colored card stocks to create our modern and unique wedding invitations, but absolutely love to use a classic gold foil too!
We offer both letterpress and foil printing at our wedding stationery studio
www.nicetystudio.com
How much do letterpress and foil wedding invitations cost?
If cost is your deciding factor, you'll probably find that foil printing comes in a little higher than letterpress printed wedding invitations. This is because setting up a print job for foiling is a lot more expensive. The foiling plates are made from either magnesium or copper, whereas letterpress plates are made from polymer.
Want to learn more about our letterpress and foil wedding stationery?
We specialize in letterpress and foil wedding stationery (all the imagery you saw here is our own work!). If you'd like to learn more about our wedding invitation services, or receive a quote, you can visit our main website here!