When it comes to invitations, it’s almost not worth explaining why you might want or not want letterpress. Because how do you explain what the heart wants? But deciding isn’t really the hard part anyway. Because the next step is figuring out the who of letterpress invitations. As in, who is going to print them? Since letterpress is one of the trappings of a more traditional wedding, it can often mean more traditional wedding vendors. Which is probably why APW couples particularly like Thomas-Printers. Founder Kseniya Thomas is both an artist and educator: she comes from a museum printing background (she was trained as an intern at the print shop of the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany), and she gives back to her community through projects like Ladies of Letterpress, an organization that brings together brand-new and experienced printers to foster a sharing environment in which everyone can learn from one another. In short: she’s your people. Since we’ve introduced you guys to the central Pennsylvanian business two times already, today we’ve asked Kseniya to put on her educator hat, and tell us more about the nitty-gritty of letterpress, and how to get the most out of your invitations (and the person making them). Here she is in her own words:
1. Not all printers work the same. The first order of business is figuring out what kind of business is going to be good for your project. Some printers use templates, or in-house designs. Thomas-Printers mainly prints other folk’s designs from digital files. While there can be advantages to both (mostly, do you want to work with one person on both aspects of your design?), since we’re printing others’ designs every day, we’re constantly figuring out ways to produce creative designs and push letterpress’ capabilities to achieve the best possible result. So go ahead and send us that crazy colorful invitation—chances are we can figure out a way print it!
2.SPECIFICITY is your best friend. The more specific you can be about the quantity, size, and number of ink colors per-piece, the more precise the quote will be. Even including a screen grab or JPG of your design can’t hurt. We have a handy estimate request form on our site that lists all the info we need. Don’t have all the info yet, but know generally what you need? No problem! We’re happy to show you the cost difference between quantities, numbers of ink colors, the price with or without foil or edge painting, etc.
3.fewer variables = fewer additional costs. Letterpress can be expensive, no doubt about it, mostly because it’s a handmade product that takes time, skill, knowledge, and precision. Things that may not appear on the estimate, but nevertheless cost time and money, are phone consultations, speedy and friendly customer service, and organizing other people (die-makers, paper vendors, etc.) so that your job has everything it needs when the printer is ready to start production. Additional ink colors, press runs (if your design has large areas of solid color, and thinner delicate areas, and both in the same color, you may need an additional run), or last-minute changes may add to the final cost. But there are some ways you can keep your cost down a little:
- Keep your ink colors to a minimum: Additional ink colors add to the price, since each additional ink color requires an separate printing plate, washup (cleaning the press), and press run. Depending on what’s required of the second color, it’ll add between $90 and $150 for 100 A7 invitations. Sometimes, even the same color needs two press run if there are areas that need heavier ink coverage than others.
- shine doesn’t come free: We love shiny letterpress too but the only way to get shiny print is to use foil. (We can use metallic inks, but they don’t shine on cotton paper.) You can read about the difference, including the difference in cost, on our blog.
Every letterpress job is different, so pricing will vary depending on your needs. We’re always happy to see what we can do within your budget, though, and to provide fast and friendly custom quotes (and even multiple quotes if your original idea comes in higher than you have budgeted). Not sure if you can afford letterpress invitations? Just ask us!
4.your design file must be vectorized (I know it sounds scary, but it’s not). Whether you order your invitation from a place like Printable Press (which is a great idea!), have your friend the graphic designer do it for you, or draw it by hand, the file you send us needs to be vectorized. This means that the art needs to be converted to shapes—type too—so that art and fonts can be properly processed for platemaking without a single element of your design being accidentally changed by the software. If you have the perfect invitation design but don’t have access to Adobe Illustrator or another design program (Photoshop sadly usually won’t work), we can help you convert the art for an additional fee. When we send your estimate, we’ll include all the instructions and specifications you’ll need to send us your suite’s files.
5. Allow extra time. We usually need just ten working days for printing. Edge painting and foil take a bit longer. Sometimes we can accommodate rush orders, too—just let us know when you need your pieces in-hand and we’ll be happy to let you know what your options are. But if you have your heart set on letterpress, then whatever you do, don’t leave it until the last minute.
6.not sure? Just ask! Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your printer. We love our customers, and love talking to them and teaching them about the letterpress-printing process.
You can give Thomas Printers a call anytime and get a real-live person on the phone, or you can send a message and get a quote for your order. So if you have your heart set on letterpress, but you want to work with someone who is modern-minded and won’t jerk you around, then how about a woman-owned, museum-trained business that gives back, and isn’t going to look at you funny when you have a dozen questions about your order? Because that feels like a really good way to get what the heart wants and what the brain wants.
Click HERE to get in touch with Thomas Printers and REQUEST A QUOTE for your invitations!
