Colonial Printing

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Letterpress printing is a printing technique which has been in use in the West since the 15th Century, when it was employed by Johannes Gutenberg to produce the Gutenberg Bible. Even though because of the size, cost and lack of option of a standard letterpress machine, this art form had vanished.

Well at least until now… This sort of printing has recently seen a revival in the past couple of years, especially as a result of the interest created by the use of letter press for invitations in contemporary magazines and web sites.

The reputation of this type of printing continues to grow and it has become probably the most sought after looks for stationery, invitations, cards, gifts, and much more. Because of the merging of two businesses Quickutz and Lifestyle Crafts, this form of art is making a comeback and will not be disappearing once more this time around.

What is Letterpress printing?

So what’s this lovely art form if you may not know? This printing uses high quality papers and inks, which will make impressions of letters or designs that punch into the paper, making a raised or debossed impact on the back of thick soft paper.

It basically is a technique of printing in which the words and/or images are elevated above the non-printed spots. Ink is then transferred to a printed surface from spots which are higher than the rest of the printing block.

Whenever you look at a newspaper, periodicals, books you’re most likely looking at the item of this kind of printing. This art form was a labor intensive approach and specifically time-consuming.

It required a fantastic deal of skill back at that time. With Quickutz Epic Six Die Cutting Tool and Lifestyle Crafts Printing Plates, Inks, and Paper, letterpress printing is getting a comeback not only with print buffs, but with individuals who want something unique. This kind of printing is now fast, convenient, light-weight and portable, therefore making it extremely attractive to any home crafter.

Letterpress printing used to be time consuming and inconvenient. The approach was a tedious labor-intensive craft that needed the most attention to detail. The practice was hard to be kept alive by both hobbyists and small craft shops over the decades. Letterpress printing is making a return and continues to spread rapidly all through other parts of the world.

Louis Riekturr is a full time writer and loves writing about letterpress machine and related topics.