Our Printing Methods
LETTERPRESS
Letterpress is a historic printing method. Because our printing is done on antique printing presses, each piece that we print will be subtly unique. No two pieces are entirely identical, and letterpress printing is not an exact science. Subtle variations in inking, color, impression and position are to be expected. These small variations are part of what makes letterpress beautiful. Do you need to know more about letterpress right now? Learn more about hardcore letterpress at our parent company Boxcar Press, or read about our green printing practices.
LETTERPRESS INKS
Go ahead and change the letterpress colors on any wedding invitation design! Wondering what inks will best capture your style? We’re happy to advise. All of our 70+ letterpress inks are low-VOC and vegetable oil-based. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted gases that come from certain solids and liquids. They contribute to global warming and have adverse affects on human health, so low-VOC things are good things.
*indicates a neon ink – neon inks are not available for digital printing
Embossing
Unlike letterpress, where the printing plate is pushed into the paper (or debossed), embossing uses printing plates, pressure and heat to create a raised design. Embossing adds a lush tactile element that pairs perfectly with letterpress and foil stamping.
FOIL STAMPING
This prized printing method allows us to create really breathtaking gold wedding invitations, or silver wedding invitations, or whatever shine your heart desires. You can mix letterpress and foil stamping in a single design; print your invitation in soft colored foils (tawny! frost! pearl!); or go two tone, mixing a gold matte foil with a gold shine foil for a truly stunning look. You can also combine foil stamping with digital printing on our new Smooth Cotton paper (read more about our digital printing below). Foil stamped invitations can be recycled like any paper, though we bet your guests may hang onto theirs as keepsakes.
We can print any of our wedding invitation designs in letterpress or foil stamping, though sometimes we may need to alter a design to make sure it looks amazing in foil. Both methods are done right here in our Syracuse, New York print shop on our vintage presses. Note that foil stamping is a more expensive printing method than letterpress (though it’s worth it, trust us!).
FOIL COLORS
Foil stamping uses a combination of heat, pressure, and metallic paper, which allows us to add a bit of shine to our designs. You can see examples of foil stamping on many of our wedding invitations.
Engraving
Engraving is still done the way it was hundreds of years ago, with hands-on expertise and etched metal plates for the raised impression and backside indentation it’s known for.
Digital printing
Digital printing is a modern printing method that allows for a wide array of colors. Unlike letterpress printing or foil stamping, where ink or foil is actually pressed in to our paper one color at a time, digital printing is flat, and can print multiple colors at the same time. Right now, digital printing is only available on our 1-ply, Bella Smooth Cotton paper. We can duplex your digitally printed pieces for an additional charge.
We can print any of our wedding invitation designs digitally. You can combine digital printing with letterpress printing or foil stamping for a truly personalized piece — create photo save the dates, birth announcements, or holiday cards using this new printing method. Check out our guidelines for submitted photography. Some designs (like Josephine and Olive) feature digital images that are printed in CMYK and don’t allow for color changes. That doesn’t mean we can’t customize these designs, so please be in touch if you want to talk about what we can do!
You can see digital representations of our digital ink colors below. Custom digital inks are also available.
DIGITAL COLORS
Design tips
Get color inspiration. Our designers have pulled together some of their favorite wedding color combinations on our blog. Or check out some of our favorite wedding invitation customizations to see some great ink combinations in action.
Request a free design consultation. Not sure which ink combinations will best capture the style of your wedding? We offer free design consultations after you place your order, where you’ll have a chance to talk one on one with our designers about all of your invitation choices (or if you need help now, just ask!).