Add A Touch Of Old World Style Using Letterpress Printing A resurrection in the use of letterpress printing in the publishing industry has been experienced in the last handful of decades. From wedding invites to birth announcements to business cards, this technique gives a sophisticated look and luxurious feel to the finished creation. If it is elegance you are looking for, you need look no further than this classic reproduction method. What Is It? Letterpress dates as far back as the mid-15th century and Johannes Gutenburg, the man who developed the first printing press. Originally, the type was set by hand with each individual character placed according the selected design. It was followed by lithography in the 1700s and offset printing in the early 1900s, which resulted in a decline in the use of letterpress. Then, in the 1980s, polymer plates were introduced that made it a lot easier to print images, as well as letters, thereby triggering a revival of this nearly lost art. To add sophisticated design features to the final product, lots of modern day artisan printers use these plates. How Letterpress Works The text or image is actually imprinted into the paper in letterpress. First, the polymer plates and/or the type are carefully laid out according to project specifications. The next step is to apply ink; the ink is put directly on the design. Once these two steps are done, the entire layout is carefully pressed onto the paper. It is generally suggested that a maximum of two colors is best to help maintain the crispness of the image; therefore, if desired, the steps can be repeated with a second color of ink resulting in a beautifully unique creation. The Reason Why People Love Letterpress Part of the letterpress popularity stems from the high quality materials which are required. For example, a thicker, sturdier paper is necessary to clearly and effectively deboss the words and images than is used in other processes. Several companies solely manufacture papers for letterpress printing. Some are made from exotic, eco-friendly substances, such as animal dung, but they commonly contain cotton or wood fibers, like bamboo. The very best quality materials make the best final product. Who Does It? The high-level of training and experience held by the individuals that currently practice this art is another reason behind its popularity. You can become trained in the art of letterpress through degree programs at universities and colleges, by becoming an apprentice, or through small classes and workshops; it will depend on the level of skill you wish to achieve. The most accomplished artists have numerous years of education and practice under their belts. Letterpress Use By far the most frequent requests for the letterpress process are from individuals and groups who Bella Forte Boxes, Books & Letterpress
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Add A Touch Of Old World Style Using Letterpress Printing want to make a lasting impression. To create business cards which are commonly distributed from one hand to another, the luxurious feel of the debossed lettering is perfect. Simple, yet elegant, these cards are impressive to both sight and touch. Furthermore, whether it's a graduation, a wedding, the birth of a child, an anniversary, a retirement ceremony, or other special occasion, letterpress also creates a beautiful keepsake to help you remember special events for years to come. Quality inks imprinted on durable paper make these products ideal for inclusion in an album, a memory book, or even a framed display. The revival of letterpress printing offers individually unique design alternatives for an array of publishing needs thus raising the bar for sophistication and elegance. Highly skilled artisans are waiting to help create the perfect publication for you. You'll have experienced assistance from Bella Forte Bookbinding and Letterpress whenever you're ready to create a stunning custom letterpress printing project. For more information on Bella Forte Bookbinding and Letterpress, see them at their web site, bellafortebooks.com.
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Bella Forte Boxes, Books & Letterpress
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