Help Center

Photopolymer plates are required for modern letterpress printing — designs are ideally created in Adobe Illustrator using vector format.

To send a file to be plated please use these guidelines:

• Artwork separated for each color
• Artwork 100% black with the Pantone colors indicated on the layers or email - also including an editable color version, too
• Pantone color chosen from the Uncoated book
• Fonts outlined
• All artwork should be editable
• Artwork sized 100% of desired print size
• Fonts should be at least ~6pt
• Gradients should be avoided as printing requires single color passes in the press
• Full floods of color should be avoided to ensure ink coverage is good

If you need help with file prep, please let me know

Each letterpress job printed is custom and the pricing varies based on a few variables. For starters the main costs pertain to these factors.


• Number of colors

• Paper type/quality

• Qty.

Letterpress is a slow, beautiful process that includes 100% manual work. The paper used for letterpress is premium and designed specifically for the process. It's very costly. In addition, digital files are turned into plates (polymer, photopolymer) and there is the matter of mixing inks. Each printed piece is meticulously looked after and so much goes into the process it's kinda crazy. Printers have to to be just a little crazy to want to do this. : )

Turnaround Time

The typical turnaround time is 2-3 weeks. This can fluctuate depending on how busy things are, but quite often the 2-3 week turnaround time is the norm.

Depending on how busy I am, design services may be available. My focus is top-quality printing, so while I am an experienced designer I am often too busy to design.Design service fees vary depending on the job


Simple layout and placement can also be done on my end. For example if you have a logo and need some copy placed on a business card. Costs for layout services are $55 per hour.

Double sided printing can be tricky, but can be achieved in some situations.

If double-thick paper is used, which is 220lb double sided printing can be achieved. It's optimal if the job is printed on one side in most cases, however.

It really helps to not cancel out the impression (deboss) if the designs on one side or the other don't compete and cancel each other out. If there's a logo in the center of the card, for example, and then a bunch of text on the other side in the center, one or the other will lose impression and some print quality.

But I am happy to review any files you have before printing to see what's possible!