Wedding season is only a couple of months away, which means that invitations are in the works as we speak. I'm getting really busy with wedding invitations this year which is exciting, and I'm starting to learn so many new techniques for invitation design. One of my favourites - and quite an old tradition at that - is the Letterpress print. But how does it actually work? I know that it involves a really, really, really old machine (my printer lady uses a 1923 machine), and that the end result looks so classy and glamourous! But I want to know more. So I have done some research, and wanted to share, for any future brides out there considering this technique:
1. First, a metal or wood plate is made to copy the invitation design/wording etc. The plate is created through the process of etching and engraving. After the plate is made, ink is applied to parts of the plate that need to be printed onto the invite/paper...
2. After the ink is added to the plate, a sheet of paper is placed on top. The letterpress machine then uses a rolling wheel to move back-and-forth across the surface of the paper, leaving an impression
3. After the sheet is pressed, the paper is either hung or laid out to dry. And voila - your letterpress invitations are made!
