Letterpress printing is one of my favorite methods of printing, and luckily there are some incredible letterpress printers in Los Angeles. It's a traditional technique which has well and truly stood the test of time, and is now very popular amongst artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and most importantly couples(!) seeking to create memorable and tactile experiences.
Combining vintage machinery, artisanal skills, and modern design sensibilities, letterpress studios in Los Angeles are hubs of creativity and innovation. Letterpress printing is a labor-intensive process, where each impression is made by hand, resulting in a beautifully tactile and textured print. It embodies the resurgence of an appreciation for all things handcrafted and creates a tangible connection between the creator and the recipient.
I've created a short list of letterpress printing studios in Los Angeles and California below, and also have a guide available for stationers who are just starting out and would love to learn more about the art of letterpress printing. The guide is also perfect for couples who are looking to design their own invitations, and are hoping to include letterpress or foil printing. It includes everything you need to know from the best papers to use for letterpress printing, to finding ways to save money on your wedding invitations!
DIY Wedding Invitations: A Guide To Letterpress and Foil Printing
This guide also includes a 10% discount with my favorite letterpress printer in Los Angeles, which is worth more than the guide itself :)
Letterpress Printers in Los Angeles:
Aardvark Letterpress
Aardvark Letterpress are a family run business and have been offering their letterpress printing, foil, and embossing services to Los Angeles and beyond since 1968! The specialize in printing stationery for businesses, weddings, and other events.
Traction Press
Traction Press and based in DTLA Arts District. It's clear their attention to detail is unmatched, and they take great care in each piece of letterpress printing they create. As well as letterpress printing, they also offer foil printing, digital printing, engraving, embossing, die-cutting, and edge painting!
Czar Press
Czar Press do pretty much everything you can think of, and are masters at letterpress printing. If you want a deep pillowy finish, Czar Press should be your go-to! We have years and years of experience printing with them, and recommend them wholeheartedly.
Copper Willow Studio
Copper Willow Studio are a small boutique print studio based in SoCal, with a focus on event stationery such as wedding invitation printing. They not only offer letterpress printing, but they also offer foil printing, digital printing, and die cutting. They have an incredible understanding of the quality and expectations from the wedding industry.
How To Choose a Letterpress Printer in Los Angeles
We've been there before! And we have a few tips to share on how to choose your letterpress printer, whether they're in Los Angeles or not.
Check out their instagram!
This is where they're most likely sharing their most recent letterpress printed work, and you'll really be able to see the quality of printing. You'll also be able to see the kind of work they have the most experience with, and whether that aligns with your job.
Consider what other printing you want to include
If you're thinking of using foil printing or die-cutting as part of your print job, choose a printer that also offers this service.
Think about paper!
If you want to print on unique colored papers, look at letterpress printers who showcase this. I've letterpress printed on sooooo many colored papers with Czar Press, who are based in Los Angeles.
Compare quotes!
I don't love to compare quotes from a cost perspective necessarily, but instead the time it takes to receive a quote, and the information they might provide during that time too. This could be as simple as telling me how they like to receive artwork, to a thorough quote detailing everything in human language that I actually understand!
Timeline
This is especially important if you're on a tight timeline, so make sure their print timelines work with yours!
Printing Wedding Invitations with Letterpress
If you're looking for more information on printing with letterpress, we have a new guide about letterpress and foil printing your wedding invitations. It includes more of our favorite letterpress printers across the US, our favorite letterpress friendly papers, where we get invitation envelopes printed, and sooooo much more.
We'll tell you how to save money and where to spend money on your wedding invitations, the corners you should and shouldn't cut when printing your wedding invitations so that you have an incredible finished piece.
We also have a 10% discount code for our favorite letterpress and foil printer in Los Angeles.