Letter press vs. Engraving

Should I do Letter Press or Engraving?

When doing a formal invitation or even nice writing paper, I often get asked, “What process should I use, engraving or letter press?”   The answer is really a matter of taste and design.

Engraving is a printing method which requires metal plates to be made for text, and an impression is made on card stock, which leaves raised text on the surface, and an indented “bruise” on the back.  Paper snobs are forever turning over printed cards to see if the bruise is there.

Letter press, nowadays, is achieved with polymer dies, which are often discarded after the run.  Text is pushed into card stock, and usually more porous (spongy) papers are used. The text looks indented, rather than being raised.

Most printing companies tend to favor one method over the other.  So, sometimes the customer does not really have a choice.  If you do have a choice, examine the papers and designs that are available with each printing method.  Metallic inks work better in engraving.  Motifs that bleed off the edge work better in letter press.  You really need to look at the entire package.