letterpress
Raised type printing
Letterpress is a printing method where raised surfaces are inked and pressed directly onto paper.
For centuries it was the dominant printing technology—the method of Gutenberg's Bible and most books until the mid-twentieth century.
The term also describes the text printed this way, as opposed to illustrations: The letterpress was clear but the engravings had faded.
Today letterpress survives as a craft for wedding invitations, art prints, and other work prized for its tactile impression.
Arranging text for print
- composingCreating musical works
- printingReproducing text mechanically
- bookbindingAssembling pages into volumes
- binderyBook assembly facility
proofreading · galley · chase · quoin · platen · tympan · frisket · lockup
Lettering style design
- fontCharacter style set
- serifLetter terminal flourish
- sans-serifType without terminal strokes
- glyphVisual form of character
kerning · tracking · ligature · ascender · descender · baseline · x-height · pica
Color-imparting material
- viscosityFluid's flow resistance
- tackSharp-headed fastener
- coverageExtent of inclusion
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
oil-based · opaque · transparent · brayer · roller · distribution · mixing · metallic
Stamp a recessed design
indent · texture · depth · strike · punch · blind · plate · polymer
Plant fiber for textiles
- ragWorn piece of fabric
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- decklePaper's rough natural margin
- grainCereal plant's harvest unit
tooth · weight · finish · soft · dampening · sizing · archival · acid-free
Quality from past eras
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- handcraftedMade manually, not machined
- tactileOf the touching sense
- bespokeMade to individual specifications
heritage · revival · analog · traditional · nostalgic · heirloom · wedding invitation · stationery
typesetting
Arranging text for print
- composingCreating musical works
- printingReproducing text mechanically
- bookbindingAssembling pages into volumes
bindery · proofreading · galley · chase · quoin · platen · tympan · frisket · lockup · furniture
typeface
Lettering style design
- fontCharacter style set
- serifLetter terminal flourish
- sans-serifType without terminal strokes
glyph · kerning · tracking · ligature · ascender · descender · baseline · x-height · pica · em
pigment
Color-imparting material
density · oil-based · opaque · transparent · brayer · roller · distribution · mixing · metallic
deboss
Stamp a recessed design
kiss · indent · texture · depth · strike · punch · blind · plate · polymer · photopolymer
cotton
Plant fiber for textiles
grain · tooth · weight · finish · soft · dampening · sizing · archival · acid-free · Crane
vintage
Quality from past eras
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- handcraftedMade manually, not machined
- tactileOf the touching sense
bespoke · heritage · revival · analog · traditional · nostalgic · heirloom · wedding invitation · stationery · limited edition
- applied artsapplied arts, decorative arts, industrial design, design, furniture design
- graphic artsgraphic design, sketch, illustration, print, typography
- graphic designlogo, font, typography, layout, color
- printingprinting, lithographers, offset printing, typographers, print
- artisan craftshandmade goods, fine jewelry, artisan crafts, handcrafted furniture, watchmaking
- traditional craftspottery, hand sewing, wood carving, weaving, blacksmithing
letterpressdigital printing
File-based ink application
gravure · intaglio · offset printing · lithography · inkjet printing
letterpressintaglio
Carving cut below surface
gravure · engraving · etching · photogravure · rotogravure
letterpressdigital printing
File-based ink application
print-on-demand · e-publishing · web publishing · desktop publishing