Letterpress is time and labor-intensive
This is because every step is done by hand. Custom ink colors are mixed to match by hand. The press is set up to print by hand. Depending on which press is in use, either paper is fed into a hand-cranked press one sheet at a time, or a slightly more automated press is constantly monitored through its mechanical process. The presses only print one color at a time, so pieces printed with two or more colors go through the press again and again for each additional color. The presses are cleaned by hand. Stationery is trimmed to size in small stacks on a guillotine cutter. And, of course, all finishing work is done by hand.
High-quality papers and inks are worth their cost
With so much time and energy going into the production of each piece, it only makes sense to use high-quality materials. Yes, they cost a bit more, but the results are exponential. Flying Rabbit Press chooses sustainably grown and/or recycled cotton, hemp, and bamboo papers that highlight the crisp impression and tactile experience of letterpress printing.
If you’re doing some of the work
Here is more information about designing for letterpress, preparing Adobe Illustrator files for letterpress printing, scanning and processing artwork and hand lettering for letterpress printing, scoring and trimming by hand using trim marks / crop marks, dusting and cleaning acrylic glazing, and more, including pdfs you may download and print.
Print-Friendly PDF Downloads
- Custom Wedding Stationery Basics (information about design and production process, pricing, and turnaround)
- Design and File Preparation for Letterpress Printing (includes all of the letterpress-related information in one document)
- Designing for Letterpress Printing (design info only, single sheet)
- Designing for Letterpress Printing with Non-Vector Elements (design info with non-vector file prep instructions)
- Preparing Design Files for Letterpress Printing (file prep instructions for vector and non-vector)
- Preparing Adobe Illustrator Files for Letterpress Printing (file prep instructions for vector art only)
- Preparing Non-Vector Design Files for Letterpress Printing (file prep instructions for non-vector art only)
- Trimming and Scoring by Hand Using Trim Marks / Crop Marks (instructions for scoring and trimming by hand)
- Dusting and Cleaning Acrylic Glazing (for art framed with acrylic or other plastics rather than glass)