Printing Processes

 
 
 
 

Our Letterpress and Foil Invitation Process

Letterpress and foil Invitations generally need 6-8 weeks processing time. It requires more time than flat printing and even raised printing, because the design has to be made into plates. Letterpress plates are made out of a heavy duty plastic that is much less expensive than the metal plates that are required for foil printing. These plates have to come in the mail to us before we can take your paper and envelopes with the plates to our specialty pressman. This makes the process take much longer than flat or raised printing where the paper just goes through a printer.

Here are the steps for the printing process:

  1. Lettering design is finalized by you.

  2. Paper is ordered as soon as final stocks and envelopes are decided on.

  3. The design is made into a special file type and an order is placed for the plates.

  4. The plates are processed and shipped in 1-3 days.

  5. Paper, plates, and detailed instructions are driven over to our fabulous printman, Tony. We then wait in line for 1-2.5 weeks during non-peak months for our order to be processed. Letterpress ink is hand mixed and the paper is run through a vintage press by hand. The process usually only takes 2 days, but it is a time consuming and detailed print method. Foil is run on a press that heats up the metal plate and presses a foil into the paper. It is a lovely finished product and is worth the wait.

  6. Once the order is finished, we pick up the order and bring it back to the studio to quality check and arrange.

  7. If you have ordered hand addressing or digital addressing that would be done at this time. Also, envelope liners are now attached.

  8. If you have flat invitations pieces they are ready to be shipped out, but if you are getting any assembly with ribbon, a belly band, or a pocketfold, those would be be assembled now before shipping.

  9. Also, we would hand paint the edges now if that is ordered. This process generally adds on .5 - 1 week time depending on how many pieces need to be painted.

  10. We always take extra special care to package your order with plenty of padding to ensure that the invitations arrive in perfect condition. Also, we always ship UPS with full insurance.

Our Flat Printed Invitation Process

Flat printed Invitations generally need 3-4 weeks processing time depending on whether you are just getting a simple invitation with just lettering or if you are needing a custom painted design. Most of this time is just spent on the design time.

Here are the steps for the printing process:

  1. Lettering design is finalized by you.

  2. Paper is ordered as soon as final stocks and envelopes are decided on.

  3. Any watercolor painting is worked on and sent to you to finalize.

  4. Paper and envelopes are run in-house through the printer and quality checked.

  5. If you have ordered hand addressing or digital addressing that would be done at this time. Also, envelope liners are now attached.

  6. If you have flat invitations pieces they are ready to be shipped out, but if you are getting any assembly with ribbon, a belly band, or a pocketfold, those would be be assembled now before shipping.

  7. We always take extra special care to package your order with plenty of padding to ensure that the invitations arrive in perfect condition. Also, we always ship UPS with full insurance.