A Note About Stationery
There are 5 main types of stationery:
- Letterpress: Lettering is pressed into the paper, leaving an indentation. This is the oldest and most versitile method of printing and was originally produced from cast metal type or plates on which the image or printing areas are raised above the non-printing areas of the plate. Ink touches only the top surface of the raised areas; the surrounding (non-printing) areas are lower and do not recieve ink. The inked image is transferred directly into the paper. Sometimes a slight embossing (because of denting) appears on the reverse side of the paper. The letterpress image is usually sharp and crisp.
- Engraving: A custom plate is made for this process. Letters and designs are etched into a copper plate. The plate is inked so that the subsurfaces are filled with ink. The paper is forced against the plate producing the charachteristic impression on the back of the paper. Type will be raised when finished. Ink is opaque and will not change with the color it is printed on.
- Thermography: Freshly printed inks are dusted with a powder compound. After excess powder on the non-printing area is removed by vacuum, the sheet passes under a heater. The printing raises to simulate the look of engraving. Ink color can change depending on the base paper.
- Flat: also called lithography or offset. Recognized by clean edges and smooth print.
- Blind Embossing: Similar to engraving without ink.