The Printed Word

Deliver your message with a flourish.

When shopping for your wedding invitations, consider the look and feel you want to achieve. Two distinctive printing techniques that have been around for hundreds of years are letterpress and screen printing.

“Letterpress literally bites into the paper, delivering a tactile experience,” says Brooks Chambers of Mama’s Sauce, an Orlando design and print shop (mamas-sauce.com). “Screen printing inks sit on top of the paper like an opaque candy-coating, making it the ideal choice for those looking to use a darker color paper.”

In general, letterpress is better suited for delicate line work while screen printing works well for large swaths of even color. That said, if your invitation package includes more than three individual pieces, screen printing will be easier on your budget. Letterpress pieces typically have to be printed one at a time.

Pricing is driven mainly by the number of colors used. “Screen printing tends to be more affordable with suites ranging from $350 to $750,” says Chambers. “Letterpress usually lands in the $750 to $2,000 range for a complete package.” Consider printing all your stationery at the same time, including “thank you” cards. “You can save big by printing everything at once,” he adds.

Before you embark on your stationery shopping spree, plan ahead and bring examples that inspire you. Whether you choose letterpress or screen printing, both options will provide the chance for your invitations to stand out.

Designed by Petito’s Tight Slice/Letterpressed by Mama’s Sauce

Screen Printed by Mama’s Sauce

Screen printing/Rifle Paper Company