Question
What is letterpress printing and how does it differ from digital printing?
Answer
Letterpress uses a physical plate pressed into thick, soft paper to create a debossed impression you can both see and feel. Digital printing lays ink on the surface of the paper without any indentation, so the result is flat.
| Letterpress | Digital | |
|---|---|---|
| Impression | Debossed into the paper | Flat on the surface |
| Feel | Tactile, three-dimensional | Smooth, no texture |
| Best for | Simple, one or two color designs | Full-color, photos, gradients |
| Ideal stock | Cotton and uncoated papers | Most coated and uncoated stocks |
Letterpress is at its best with simple designs in one or two ink colors on cotton or uncoated stocks, where that deep, crafted impression really shows.
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