Letterpress Invitations
Letterpress is the oldest form of relief printing, and it remains the most revered for fine stationery. At Perklets Print, our letterpress invitations are produced using photopolymer plates mounted on precision presses that stamp your design into soft, thick cotton paper with controlled pressure, creating a distinctive debossed impression that you can see and feel.
The result is unmistakable — crisp, clean text and graphics pressed into the paper surface with a depth and tactility that no other printing method can achieve. Each letter, each line, each detail sits in its own small valley, casting subtle shadows that give the design a quiet, handcrafted authority. Letterpress invitations are the gold standard for weddings, fine events, and occasions where understated luxury speaks louder than embellishment.
We print letterpress in single and multi-colour passes using custom-mixed Pantone inks. Popular choices include deep navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy, and classic black — rich, saturated colours that look extraordinary against white or cream cotton stock. For added richness, letterpress can be combined with foil stamping, edge painting, or blind embossing. Our cotton stocks range from 300 to 600 GSM, with 600 GSM duplex (two sheets bonded together) being the ultimate choice for maximum depth and presence.
Product Specifications
Summary Options
Design Guidelines
Provide artwork in vector format with each ink colour on a separate layer. Avoid gradients, halftones, and photographic images — letterpress prints solid colours only.
- Bleed area: No bleed required for unprinted edges. 3mm bleed if edge-to-edge printing is desired.
- Crop area: Trim size: 105 x 148 mm (A6) or 127 x 178 mm (5 x 7 inches).
- Safe area: Keep all elements 5mm from trim edges. Minimum line width: 0.3mm. Minimum font size: 6pt.
Accepted formats: AI, EPS, PDF (preferred) — vector artwork only, no raster images
Quantity
FAQs: Letterpress Invitations
What makes letterpress different from regular printing?
Letterpress uses physical pressure to stamp ink into the paper, creating a debossed (recessed) impression. Digital and offset printing apply ink to the surface without impression. The tactile depth of letterpress is its defining characteristic — you can feel each letter with your fingertips.
Can letterpress print photographs or gradients?
No. Letterpress prints solid colours only — it cannot reproduce gradients, halftones, or photographic images. The beauty of letterpress lies in its clean lines, solid fills, and typographic precision. Designs should use solid vector artwork.
How many colours can be printed?
Each colour requires a separate press pass. One and two-colour designs are most common and cost-effective. Three or more colours are possible but significantly increase production time and cost. We recommend designing with one or two impactful colours.
What paper stock works best for letterpress?
Soft, uncoated cotton papers produce the deepest, most dramatic impressions. Our 600 GSM duplex cotton is the premium choice — two 300 GSM sheets bonded together for extraordinary thickness and depth. Coated or hard papers do not accept letterpress impressions well.
Can letterpress be combined with foil stamping?
Yes, this is a classic luxury combination. Letterpress provides the debossed text and foil stamping adds metallic accents. The two processes complement each other beautifully. Combined production typically requires 12–16 working days.