A simple search on Google, Yahoo or the newest major search engine Bing! will reveal that there are simply too many choices to fully investigate when it comes to letterpress wedding invitations. Not knowing what to look for or being unable to properly evaluate each specific printer’s strengths and weaknesses can be frustrating.
I decided to try to make the process of selecting your letterpress printer easier by giving you a couple short examples of how to properly judge wedding invitation printers and their products:
Customer Service – Customer service should be a major factor when deciding which printer to choose. It really does not matter how inexpensive, stylish, customized or amazing anyone is. If they are slow at responding, don’t give you what you want, or are flakey when it comes to deadlines, I would suggest steering clear. You only have one shot at this. In order to get what you want, when you want it, make sure your printer is prompt, available and helpful in making your dream invitation into a reality.
Print Quality - If you decide to go letterpress for your invitation, there are a couple small details to consider when selecting your final product. For those of you that have the time, I would suggest having your favorite three printers send you their invitation samples, the sample cost ranges from free to $30. Not only does this allow you the chance to interact with these prospective companies on a business level, it provides you with a couple physical examples from which to choose from.
When looking at these samples, notice the depth of the imprint that each different printer makes. Ask these questions:
1) Is the impression even?
2) Is the impression deep enough?
3) Is the impression too deep? While super deep impressions may look good on your computer monitor, that method of printing presses through the paper onto the other side and may leave an undesirable impression on the back of your cards.
Printers that do this typically are not as professional as they may seem, and while this may feel like only a minor detail, it often is indicative of a greater problem, carelessness. If you look at the best people in the field, the impression in their invitation sets do not appear on the backside of the paper.
4) Is the ink color consistent on all items? While the older letterpress presses have more limitations than modern presses, a quality printer should be able to keep your ink color consistent.
Obviously all the choices are completely up to you, but if you want to work with professional, skilled artisans that know their craft and will service your needs, I suggest considering these simple ideas. Good luck on the search!!!
Written by Nick
Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.
