Printing Styles for Wedding Invitations: Letterpress

What is letterpress and why brides love it

When you’re choosing wedding invitations, letterpress might pop up as one of those terms that sounds vaguely familiar but not totally clear. Whether you’ve never heard of it, or you have been head over heels in love with it since you first came across it, this printing process is undeniably gorgeous. You may have seen it described as “tactile” or “heirloom-worthy.” But you have questions. What exactly is letterpress printing? Is it the right fit for your wedding invitations?  And why is it so much more expensive than flat printing?

Letterpress is my all time favorite printing process – nothing compares to its look and feel. It effortlessly elevates a traditional wedding invitation from plain to elegant, and instantly transforms a simple typographic design into a work of art.

If you’ve never had the opportunity to hold a piece of letterpress stationery, order a sample pack so you can run your fingers over the paper and see its beauty for yourself.

As part of the Wedding Stationery Guide, I’ve put together a primer on printing processes to clear up some of the confusion that comes with ordering wedding invitations. See other posts in the series here: Printing Primer

LETTERPRESS BASICS

What is Letterpress Printing?

Letterpress is one of the oldest forms of printing, where ink is pressed into thick, cotton paper using a metal plate and a lot of pressure (we’re talking antique printing presses that make a satisfying ka-chunk sound as they stamp each piece). Each piece is pressed one at a time using a vintage printing press, giving it that subtle debossed texture that sets it apart from flat, digitally printed invitations.

Unlike digital printing, where ink sits flat on the surface, letterpress creates a sculptural effect that adds texture and depth. That’s why wedding invitations letterpress printed have such a luxurious, timeless feel.

If you’re the kind of bride who appreciates tradition and tactile quality, letterpress might be your love language.

The letterpress difference

Why choose letterpress wedding invitations?

Brides often ask me, “Is letterpress really worth it?” And my answer is always: it depends on what matters most to you.

If your top priority is getting the cheapest invitation out there, letterpress probably isn’t the best fit. But if you’re dreaming of invitations that feel as elevated and special as the day you’re planning, keep reading.

• It feels luxurious. That deep impression in the paper? Your guests will notice it. (And your grandma will 100% put it in a keepsake box.)

• It looks timeless. Letterpress doesn’t chase trends. It’s elegant, understated, and perfectly at home in a cathedral, vineyard, or estate ballroom.

• It makes an impression. Literally. It’s tactile and memorable in a way digital printing simply isn’t.

• It elevates the whole suite. Even a simple layout looks sophisticated when pressed into thick cotton paper.

For many brides, it’s not just about the design, it’s about the experience. Holding your invitation in your hands and feeling the care and craftsmanship that went into it? That’s something special.

A PEEK BEHIND THE PRESSES

How are letterpress invitations made?

Letterpress printing might look simple on the surface, but behind each perfectly pressed invitation is a process that’s anything but automated.

In letterpress printing, ink is transferred from a raised surface to paper using pressure. This creates the signature deep impression that gives letterpress its tactile charm. Traditionally, that raised surface came from individual letters of wood or metal type set by hand. While some printers still do it the old-fashioned way, the wedding invitations I offer are printed using a custom-made printing plate created from your digital design.

Here’s how the process works at Banter & Charm:

1.  Digital Design
   Once we finalize the layout and wording for your invitation, I turn your custom design into a press-ready file using the fonts, layout, and embellishments you’ve chosen.
2.  Plate Creation
   Your digital artwork is turned into a printing plate (a hard plastic or metal mold of your design). If you’re using more than one ink color, we’ll need a separate plate for each one.
3.  Mixing & Inking
   Letterpress ink isn’t pulled off a shelf, it’s mixed by hand to match your selected color. The ink is then rolled onto the raised parts of the plate.
4.  Press Time
   Each piece of paper is hand-fed through a vintage printing press, one at a time. The plate is pressed firmly into the paper, transferring the ink and creating a beautifully deboss impression you can see and feel.
5.  Finishing
   After printing, the pieces are inspected for quality and trimmed (or die cut) to size.

Because everything from the inking to the alignment is done by hand, no two pieces will be exactly the same. That’s not a flaw, it’s the beauty of letterpress. Each invitation is a little work of art, full of character and craftsmanship.

Blind letterpress (also referred to as “blind impression”, “embossing” or “debossing”) is the technique of letterpress printing with an un-inked plate to press a design into the paper. The result is a subtle texture without color, as seen in the Veranda letterpress invitation below. Because a separate printing plate is made for blind letterpress, it counts as a “color” for pricing purposes.

You can read more about blind letterpress in the separate post in my Printing Primer series.

What you’re really paying for

How much do letterpress wedding invitations cost?

You already know that letterpress is a higher-end, labor intensive printing method, but what exactly goes into the cost?

Here’s what affects pricing:

• Quantity (The more you order, the lower the cost per suite)

• Number of ink colors (Each color requires its own plate and press run)

• Paper type and thickness (Single-ply vs. double-thick, white or color)

• Insert cards (Details, RSVP, return address – there’s a separate plate for each piece)

• Embellishments (Not part of the letterpress cost, but they’ll impact your total)

At Banter & Charm, most couples invest around $2300–$5000 for a letterpress invitation suite, depending on the number of pieces and upgrades included. Save the dates and day-of paper can be added for a cohesive look across your entire wedding.

If you want a better sense of what’s possible within your budget, I offer custom proposals based on your guest count and wishlist.

How to decide if it’s your perfect match

Not sure if letterpress is right for you?

Letterpress is meant to be touched, so start by ordering a sample box. You’ll get to see and feel a variety of designs, paper types, and embellishments in person, and that usually makes the decision making process easier. Want to talk it through instead? I’d love to help.

If you’re still asking yourself what printing style makes sense for your wedding invitations, letterpress could be the answer. But let me leave you with this:

Your invitations are the first impression your guests will have of your wedding day. They set the tone, build anticipation, and show your guests that this day matters. And letterpress delivers that message in a way few other printing methods can.

Looking for details about the other printing styles offered at Banter & Charm? Check out the Printing Primer series on the blog!