The History of Letterpress Printing

We use beautifully created, historical printing presses for our business. Although they are decades old, they are still creating stunning works of art for you in the form of personalized stationary and paper products. 

One of the techniques we use to create works of art is letterpress printing. The history of this technique is a long one but it explains what makes letterpress printing so special. So keep reading below as we dive into the history of letterpress printing!

What is letterpress printing?

Letterpress (also called relief printing) is a form of printing that involves using a raised surface, similar to a stamp, to press ink text or images directly onto paper. Originally, it was done letter by letter, with individual plates. However, in the late 1800s the first keyboard typesetting machines allowed printers more freedom with words and images.

Origin

Although the invention of the printing press is up to speculation, most people accredit the discovery to Johannes Gutenberg, who used letterpress printing on his press to mass produce bibles in the 15th century. He started with wood block printing before he transitioned to metal type. Through his hard work and dedication, he was able to produce 180 copies of the bible in just a few years That’s no small feat for his time!

Letterpress printing through the ages

Letterpress stayed largely the same for hundreds of years, with printers using plates to print documents. However, in the mid 1900’s, a new technique came into play that took letterpress out of the game temporarily. It’s called offset printing, and this technique uses rubber blankets on rollers to print onto a surface.

This process eventually led the world into digital printing, which uses digital technology to map out and create images with tiny ink droplets. The majority of the world relies on this technique now. 

Letterpress printing revival

Letterpress printing took the backseat for several decades but it made a return in the late 1980s with photopolymer plates and digital integration. Originally, letterpress printing barely touched the surface of the paper. But now, with the availability of thick and cushy paper, printers are able to produce deep impressions and intricate designs. 

Most people use digital printing on standard printers for everyday needs but letterpress is still used for upscale printing on documents such as invitations, pamphlets, brochures, and more. 

Sounds pretty awesome, right? That’s because it is!

Ask us more

Interested in learning more about our printing presses and what makes them so special? Ask us!

At Locust Street Press, we use several vintage printing presses to bring your creative designs to life. Whether it’s custom invitations for a wedding or gala or brochures for a new business, we’d love to help you.

Give us a call today and let’s create something beautiful together!