Letterpress printing is a printing technique where ink is rolled over an individually cast die and pressed into the paper. This printing process begins by creating a design on the computer.  There are printers that make photo polymer plates that have raised text and other design elements.  Each color used on the invitation requires its own plate. The actual printing process begins by locking the customized plate into the letterpress machine. The ink is mixed by hand and applied to the roller before the printing can begin! The printer will feed the paper through the machine and the ink is rolled into the plate. This plate is then pressed onto the paper. This process is repeated for each color once the previous color ink has dried.   The thicker your paper the deeper the impressions. Letterpress printing creates a beautiful addition to any invitation!

Image 1 and 2 courtesy of Patricia Lyons, Image 3 courtesy of Lucy O, Image 4 courtesy of Holland Photo Arts.