Letterpress is a relief printmaking technique dating back to the mid-15th century, when Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing press in Europe to print text using movable type. It’s a process that requires much skill & precision in setting by hand various sizes of wood or metal text &/or small images, inking the raised surface and applying the correct pressure to transfer the design onto paper using a specialized press.

This method - once the dominant form of commercial printing used to mass-produce books, newspapers and other printed materials - became obsolete with the advent of more modern, faster printing methods in the early 20th century. However, letterpress is now experiencing a resurgence of appreciation for its unique tactile and visual appeal in stationery, invitations, and other artisanal print projects. Embossing can sometimes be evident due to the impression of inked type into paper with heavy pressure.

My letterpress prints have been made using either my Adana 8x5 tabletop platen press or my Showcard proofing press – the kind that was used by stores to print their own in-house sales posters.