Letterpress for Less

Cost-cutting tips for letterpress stationery

By Tara Mandy

True paper snobs would have a hard time choosing anything but letterpress for their invitations--even in these economically challenged, "the-sky-is-falling" times. So instead of suggesting a cheaper alternative (like engraved or laser printing), we asked couture stationer Sarah Drake of Sarah Drake Design to offer some insider tips on how to keep costs down when ordering letterpress stationery . . .

• Print with one ink color. Additional colors result in new plate charges and extra runs through the printer. Instead, consider adding color with a colorful envelope liner, or by tying a beautiful ribbon around the invitation package.
• Print all pieces at once. If you know you're going to order a thank you note, escort card or program cover later, print it at the same time as the invitation and response card to save on a second print run.
• Keep the finishing simple. Extras like scores for folding, perforation for response cards, edge painting, and hole drilling add unnecessary costs.
• Order a few more than you think you'll need. It'll only cost a few more dollars to print 125 rather than 100. But if you run out and have to re-order a small batch, you'll pay almost as much as you did the first time.
• Request return address printing in flat or offset printing. Envelopes are a great place to save on printing, as they are not noticed as much as the invitations.

Where NOT to scrimp? "Don't give up the thick, luxurious paper," says Drake. "You'll only save a few dollars with thinner or less textured paper. Lovely cotton papers show off the letterpress printing beautifully."  She also advises to shell out for a professional designer "who will know how to lay out type, help with etiquette, and prepare artwork for letterpress. There are many images (such as screened and photographic) that do not work with letterpress printing." Plus, a seasoned stationer will have a strong relationship with a printer, which ultimately saves on printing costs.