Wedding Stationery Printing Processes

We are so excited to have Heather from Simply Designed back for another installment in our Stationery Series. Today she’s going to discuss printing process options for wedding invitations. Be sure to also refer back to Heather’s posts on Letterpress Wedding Stationery, Day-of Wedding Stationery and Stress Free Wedding Stationery.

Many brides enter into designing their invitations and are overwhelmed by many terms that are almost like a foreign language to them. As a custom stationery designer, I like to explain the entire process, terminology, and anything else my brides and grooms might come across. My favorite part of the whole design process is printing. I love the smell of the paper and ink, and the physical texture of the paper and the way ink reacts to the paper. It is one of the few times I will admit I like science!

Because of my love for printing, I thought I would take you through some of the most common printing methods for wedding stationery and explain a little bit about each one. Hopefully this summary will help you decide which printing method will fit you and your wedding the best. I promise I won’t get into the science behind this!

Digital Printing

This is a fast, affordable, modern printing technology that results in stationery with a flat surface and vivid, beautiful colors. Digital designs can be printed on cotton based paper so your invitation looks and feels just as luxurious as letterpress. The bonus is a lot of digital printing can be done eco-friendly. Many printers have now converted their facilities to wind and solar power, add in your FSC certified paper and you have one very “green” wedding invitation.

Digital Printing sample (Design by Simply Designed | Photo by Kim Robbins Photography)

Thermography

Another very popular printing method for stationery is thermography. This process results in a raised or three-dimensional print effect that emulates the finished quality of engraving, but not at the same price. Thermography is a simple process typically used in conjunction with any conventional wet-ink printing press. When the printed sheets come off a press pass, they pass through a powder application where resin is applied to the wet ink. The resin is then removed from the sheet except where it adheres to the wet ink. The printer then heats the paper, causing the resin to melt and fuse to the ink. The page is then cooled, which finalizes the process. However, stationery with classic engraving still tends to have a fuller, more complete raised printing effect. The letters from a thermography print are also shinier than engraved characters.

Flat Offset Printing

Flat offset printing is sometimes referred to as flat printing. This printing method is commonly used for magazines, brochures and when you are looking for some fun out-of-the-box projects. The color range is limitless! When using this technique, you can add varnishes and use many different paper styles. It’s less expensive than engraving or thermography. The process starts with a metal or paper plate from a black and white image. The printer then hangs the plate on a press and the image is transferred onto paper. When printing in this method you can use up to 5 specific Pantone match colors, or 4 specific Pantone match colors and a varnish. The combinations are endless!

Flat Offset Printing sample (Design and Photo by Simply Designed)

Engraving

Developed during the 1700s, engraving is a classic, formal printing process. Think of your mother’s wedding invitations. Up until about the early 90‘s, this was one of the most popular ways to print your wedding invitations. Engraved invitations have a distinct look and feel that is easily recognizable. Because of their superior quality, engraving is the most expensive printing process available. The paper is pressed against a metal plate, causing the printing press to raise the letters on the paper. You can feel each character when you run a finger across the back of the paper. The raised letters in a matte ink finish produces an indentation on the reverse, and a gentle wave or ripple on lighter papers that gives engraved stationery a look of distinction. Surprisingly this printing technique is making a come back.

Letterpress

My absolute favorite! One of the things I love about letterpress is that this printing method is steeped in craft and tradition. The letterpress process results in stationery of exceptional beauty and authenticity. Letterpress is a printing technique that dates back to the 1400’s. Individual letters forged out of lead or wood were carefully hand set, inked and impressed into sheets of paper, creating one of the earliest forms of modern printing. Modern day letterpress is slightly different, but the end result is still as unique and beautiful to the touch. The design is rendered and refined, and made into printing plates. The inked image is transferred directly into the paper. Sometimes a slight embossing appears on the reverse side of the paper because of denting caused by the letterpress process. The finished letterpress image is usually sharp and crisp, each resulting piece is a unique piece of art, the culmination of hours of craft and creativity. The best part of printing your invitation on a letterpress is the ecological benefits. Letterpress is one of the most eco-friendly ways to print. All the inks are vegetable-oil based with low VOCs, and all the papers used are either 100% cotton or 100% bamboo which grows in abundance and is replenished very quickly.

Letterpress sample (Design and Photo by Simply Designed)

We heart this design and use it frequently as our business stationery :)

Embossing