These black letterpress calling cards were printed on a black 80# coverstock (I think it was AstroBrights paper). Black can be tricky on press because letterpress inks are very transparent and do not get good opacity when printing on dark papers. We like to recommend a color mix with opaque white to help bulk up the color (PMS Silver 877 works great too if you can afford to have a little tonality with the grey).

With the left-overs we decided to add a teal edge paint to see how it would take to the black. I feel like I’m having an 80′s flashback!

Because I just couldn’t get enough, I decided to see what a lavender would look like. If you want to order a set for yourself, you can customize them right here and we’ll make sure they look radical before they ship out to you! If you are unsure about color, stick with lighter hues. They will print and show-up much better than darker colors on the color wheel.

The great thing about single color letterpress is that when you re-print you can switch up the color to whatever suits your fancy. It is very cost effective in letterpress terms, and really creates a great minimalist look. Many people totally rule out single color business cards, but it is a great way to get creative with the design or illustration and a fun challenge to make the design interesting for one color printing.

Option 1: Maple Leaf wedding suite

This concept plays off a beautiful photo of a wedding cake with the maple leaves that the client sent over. Seeing that she had mentioned wanting bright colors, we explored oranges and warm coral/red on this option. We were going for elegant with the calligraphy typeface however wanted to explore some unique layouts for this. The inner envelope would be lined with the maple leaves liner, and the outer envelope is the cream, matching the paper stock used for the invites. The inner envelope is in poppy and both envelopes would look beautiful addressed with chocolate ink for her guests.

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Option 2: Heart Thumbprint wedding invitations

We LOVED the thumbprint heart concept that the client presented and thought it would be a good design to add in the requested plum color and the orange. Because we wanted to place emphasis on the thumbprint, we wanted the remainder of the invitation to invoke a minimalist feel with beautiful large margins and flowing typography to tie it in all together. Since the thumbprint is such a personal element of a human and no two are the same, we wanted to maintain that feel in the invitation with a simple typeface reflecting classic school penmanship. There are added dingbats throughout the layout as well, reflecting back on the symbolism of the heart and tying in the typography with the emblem. The envelop liner on this design is an overprint of purple ink on purple paper, to give the envelope a really stunning pop when opened. It sort of adds the detailing in the other pieces without making it look too elaborate or over the top.

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Option 3: Modern Dahlia wedding invitations

The last option was based off some client provided photos of the dahlias in a beautiful peach color. We wanted to bring in a monochromatic feel to this invite, emphasizing the oranges and peaches that are evident in that photo. Again we wanted to explore a more unique approach to the invitation layout with the typography. The flower pattern is carried across all the invitation pieces, and will make such a beautiful impression when printed.

If you were getting hitched, what suite would you go for?

These were printed on 110# lettra in matte silver and matte metallic lavender.

If you are interested in a brand refresh or custom work, not only do we provide letterpress printing but design services as well. Contact us for info or a bid on custom letterpress printing for your business or purchase a letterpress sample pack here!

These letterpress business cards were done for Dawn of Soiree Floral. She had her logo and Soiree Floral typography but needed help tying it into business card layout and design.  The only recommendations were her pantone numbers, the possible exploration of a blind impression, and wanting to see some stripes in the design as a 2.5×2.5″ square letterpress printed card. With her unique logo, I knew it would be so tactile when printed as the tear-drop would reverse out and look embossed when finished.

Her light lavender/plum color scheme was a great change of pace as I haven’t printed purple in ages too. Above is Dawn’s pantone match and below the final printed business set.

Letterpress printed on 110# paper for both pieces, the A6 (4.5×6″) notes were paired with matching un-printed envelopes, and the business cards (2.5×2.5″) were printed as a 2/0 color job with 1/4″ rounded corners. To see some of Dawn’s inspiring work, check out her website and blog and be prepared to be wowed!

These cards shipped earlier this year for Leslie of Adley Studio. Lesley had a specific vision for these cards and they turned out to be so elegant. She wanted to utilize her business name as her logo and wanted it clean/simple/fresh. On the rear she wanted some sort of monogram or pattern with her studio name to add texture and variation. Letterpress printed on 220# lettra, 2/1 with royal purple and matte silver ink.

It was such a pleasure to work with Amanda of Paper + Nest on this branding refresh. Amanda already had a great start with her nest element but wanted more help with her typography and layout specifically. This was a fun card to design for letterpress because all these amazing elements would look so awesome letterpress printed.

When working with this, I wanted to explore some typefaces that were softer as the main stationery she is looking to rep are wedding, personal and baby. I thought that with her modern look we needed to try some soft options as well as typefaces that were light in weight. In all of these layouts, I wanted to be consistent with the natural elements of the nest and to do so we adapted it from its straight lines to a more roughed up and organic look.

I can’t wait to see where Amanda goes with these cards and who she picks up for representation in her trunk shows. Amanda, will you rep me? You’ve been so fun to work with, I can’t wait to blog about the finished letterpress printed piece!

If you are interested in a brand refresh or custom work, not only do we provide letterpress printing but design services as well. Contact us for info or a bid on custom letterpress printing for your business or purchase a letterpress sample pack here!

The bride also wanted to explore incorporating a peony motif into one of the designs so here’s what we came up with on that regard. I can’t wait to see where these go for the final piece. They are going to be simply stunning when plated and printed letterpress.

Another set of Signature Dingbat letterpress A6 notes. These were super fun because the client was ordering them for a gift and decided to mix up ink and envelope. Generally people choose matching ink/envelope combos with the envelope printed in a hue darker. This lovely lady made it fun for me because she wanted a contrasting envelope and then ink color the same on both the card and envelope. Printed on 110# Lettra in an A6 size, these are perfect as a bridesmaid gift, mother-of-the-bride gift, or for anyone in your bridal party!

THE GOODS:

12, A6 Letterpress Invitations (Imprintable) – 2 Color (Silver|metallic purple) with matching envelopes.
12, 2.5×2.5″ Heavy weight letterpress coasters, reverse printed.
12,  letterpress Escort cards|Place Cards and mini-lopes.

To enter: Comment by Thursday the 10th at midnight MST!

Printed on Arches 140# paper, 2 colors – silver & lavender

If I could hold a star for every time you’ve made me smile,
and entire evening’s sky would be in the palm of my hand.

Elephants, Ava. as a set of 10.

Butterflies, Ava. as a set of 10.

Sharks, Ava. as a set of 10.

and Froggies, Ava. as a set of 10.

To win just comment below what your favorite animal is for a chance at one set of each!
The GOODS:
1 set of each of these tags (10 tags/set) in each pattern (40 total).
2×2″ letterpress tags with 1/4″ rounded corner and 3/16″ punched hole.

Giveaway ends Midnight on Thursday the 13th of August, TIMES UP! winner will be drawn at random and notified via email as well as updated on this post!

CONGRATS SUSAN!

So the letterpress Confection Collection is out and available to retail stores along with being listed in the Shop as well! I had a hard time choosing a color scheme for these cards and tags (ava. soon) as I didn’t want it to look like a circus or too similar to the cupcake colorway. With the drab recession underway I decided I was looking for something bright and cheery, with a little bit of tangy sweetness to it. Hence pumpkin, lime and grape truffle pops!

TO win a set of 30 truffle pop recipes + treats cards
(3 sets of 10, 1 set of each color)

Be sure to comment by Monday July 20th at Midnight (MST). (Valued at $45)
For ONE extra entry, Tweet the giveaway with a link back to this post and come back to comment that you tweeted with your username.
For ANOTHER entry, blog the giveaway at your own place with a link back to this post.

Good luck!

UPDATED: CONGRATS EMILY F! I’LL BE CONTACTING YOU FOR MAILING INFO!