Letter press

Letterpress is a relief printing process in which raised surfaces—traditionally movable type or engraved plates—are inked and pressed directly into paper. The image or text sits above the base, and the recessed areas do not receive ink. The process is rooted in early mechanical printing methods and remains valued for its material clarity and precision.

The printer composes the design using type, blocks, or custom plates, arranging them within a frame before inking the raised surface. Paper is then placed over the form and passed through a press. The applied pressure transfers the ink while often leaving a subtle physical impression in the sheet.

One of the defining qualities of letterpress is this tactile indentation, sometimes referred to as a “bite,” which gives the printed surface a sculptural presence. The process lends itself to crisp edges, strong contrast, and careful composition, with each impression reflecting the balance of ink, pressure, and paper.

Because the raised form remains consistent, letterpress can produce stable editions, though variations in pressure and inking contribute to the character of each print. The result is both graphic and physical, combining clarity of line with the material evidence of printing.