I am fascinated by history. How common products were invented, where cultural trends originated from, and why we act in certain ways, are all products of an intense historical interaction that has become the world we know today.
Because I think letterpress is so interesting, I decided I wanted to write a (very) brief historical account of its invention and usage.
Contrary to popular Western belief, the Chinese were the first to invent block printing characters. These were used as a method for printing throughout Eurasia starting around 750 C.E. Johannes Gutenberg standardized and mechanized the practice in a more efficient manner around 1450 C.E. He developed what we now understand as the printing press. Presses have been modified, improved, sped up and digitized continuing from the first years of their creation until now.
Starting in the early 1990’s there was a resurgence of artisan and high quality letterpress printing in the United States. Craftsman and customers alike appreciated the quality and appearance of imprinted letterpress text. Combining digital technologies with letterpresses made in the 1950’s or before, printers have generated a handful of innovative techniques and beautiful new designs.
One of the largest markets that are requesting this vintage style of craftsmanship are weddings. Handcrafted letterpress wedding invitations cannot be matched for their unique texture and style. Our use of the latest in technologies make it possible to letterpress images that would previously have been difficult, or even impossible.
Written by Nick
Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.
