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Letterpress is awesome. Here’s why.

Letterpress is awesome. Here’s why.

Each year, MCG creates a one-of-a-kind Christmas card for our clients and friends. We love to try different design techniques, and letterpress is often our printing method of choice.

Why letterpress vs. offset printing methods? Here are a few reasons why letterpress is awesome:

  • Letterpress has an air of nostalgia and feels very rich in your hands. The indentation that occurs on the paper’s surface is called bite. Impressions that are not as deep in the paper are called kisses. The indentation on the paper is what sets letterpress apart from all other printing techniques.
  • The machinery used for letterpress printing is antique. Some of these presses don’t even require electricity because traditional letterpress machines are operated by hand.
  • Unexpected results. Letterpress prints are not always perfect, but that contributes to the charm.
  • Paper choices are limitless. Extra-thick paper such as chipboard or other commercial-grade papers work very well with letterpress.
  • Beautiful letterpress work is often done with just one or two colors. Paper color can act as a third color in the mix.
  • Since inks are translucent, colors can overlap. This creates the look of a different mixed color.
  • Who needs ink anyway? Sometimes a blind impression (debossing) of the design is all you need to get the message across.

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