Thanks to the ABC-TV hit series, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," letterpress printing is back in style. The Dore family received a new home, constructed completely from scratch, while letterpress printers generously donated a complete letterpress studio to 12-year old Aariel Dore, along with lessons and online assistance to get her up and running.



Why print? J. Ben Lieberman, the proponent of the American Chapel movement in the late twentieth century said it best: "YOU can print! You can do real printing, even if now you can't tighten a nut, can't boil water, can't tell type from tape, live in one room with three other people, and have to hoard your money... It's simple, it's fun, it's useful, and you'll have something to show!"

Letterpress has been around for 600 years, getting its start in Europe in the 14th century as an alternative to calligraphy. Calligraphy, up until that time, had been the only way to copy manuscripts and it was laborious and time-consuming. Letterpress printing is now kept alive by craftsmen who offer it as a workable alternative to offset printing. When it comes to fine invitations, letterpress invitations are some of the best produced in the world.

Letterpress type was originally hand cast with the individual characters set into lines. This was the usual method of printing until machine set composition made the task a bit easier. Printing from metal type and custom engraved plates, designers of today are now returning to the process as a time-honored method for making truly unique designs and invitations. Unlike offset printing and copying, letterpress is a hands-on method that is tactile and labor-intensive. Printed many times on Crane's paper, this system is the finest in printing, creating a feel and look of elegance that leaves a lasting impression.

Fine lines and tiny type can be set with no discernible breakage. On a letterpress even the finest lines produce great results. Most platen press beds run 10" x 15" or 13" x 18" compared to the largest letterpress which is about 29" x 41". Any size or width paper that is smaller can fit into a letter press. While some of the newer presses are designed to take disks, many still need you to provide film negatives, right reading/emulsion side up or camera-ready copy that is black and white. The halftone image is coarser on a letterpress than an offset press, so that should be taken into account when deliberating about which press to use.

The subtleties of letterpress are truly remarkable. Letterpress printing as a hobby has no limits concerning language, gender, or age - in fact, Mike O'Connor founded the Amalgamated Printers' Association when he was only fifteen years old. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to design and subject matter, so start making your letterpress invitations today!