Letterpress printing tends to lure people in with its luxurious papers and textures. Once hooked, it’s much like learning to savor wines, cheeses, or excellent food. Like foods, letterpress appeals to multiplesenses and connoisseurs may enjoy beautiful nuances.

Would you like to be a letterpress connoisseur? There is alot to learn, but here are some of the qualities you might watch for:

Kiss Printing vs. French Kiss Printing

Not so very long ago, it was considered highlyunprofessional to stamp the type so firmly into the paper that it made animpression. Instead, careful and meticulously printed works were made on smoothpapers with the ink just barely kissing the surface of the paper. Even afterprinting, the page was smooth, yet very crisp, and this crispness was createdby a great deal of skill and press work.

Now, many printers and designers enjoy using letterpress tostamp type or image deeply into soft, thick, textured or handmade papers. Whileprinters raised on kiss printing have been horrified by the practice at times,this method has been affectionately coined “French kissing” by those who haveaccepted its place in contemporary letterpress. Many are drawn to this practicebecause of the rich, sensual qualities it gives to design and artwork.

Some printers, those in this studio included, enjoy Frenchkissing ;o) but find it unprofessional to have the printing pop through theback of the page. We pack the press to minimize push-through and help clients select papers that will best achieve the effect they'd like. 

Bon Appetit! 

- Kim Vanderheiden