As a letterpress printer, we get excited about our presses, tight registrations, detailed artwork and ultra luxurious papers. Like every other letterpress printer out there, we believe we are creating something extraordinary. Don't ever speak the words, "it will just get thrown away." How could anyone say such a thing? Ours is a labor of love here - when you print with Spark, a little letterpress love is coming your way.
Originating around 1450, movable type brought the printed word around the world. It grew with the industrial age, then declined as offset printing met the needs of the modern world. Much of the equipment that survived did so in a working retirement, converted to diecutting or foil stamping.
In its heyday letterpress printing was simply an everyday process. It was considered poor technique to leave more than a “kiss impression,” unlike the deep impressions currently sought after. Today, the impression depth is the obvious difference of letterpress from offset printing. Variations in inking, impression and registration – often exaggerated for impact – are all distinct effects commonly desired in letterpress-printed designs.
Photopolymer plate technology brings new speed and flexibility to letterpress. This process makes it possible to easily turn many designs into letterpress plates.
