Your wedding invitations are one of the first little glimpses your guests will have of your wedding, so why not make them something really special? Letterpress is a beautiful printing technique that presses your design into the paper, creating a deep impression that looks as gorgeous as it feels. It’s a timeless finish that still feels wonderfully special in 2026, whether your style is classic and elegant or a little more modern. In this article, we take a closer look at letterpress wedding invitations, how the printing process works and what makes them such a beautiful choice for your big day.
The luxury of letterpress
As you embark on the exciting journey of creating your wedding invitations, you may have found yourself exploring different printing methods and perhaps leaning towards letterpress wedding invitations. And we can see why!
There’s something rather special about letterpress. The design is pressed into the paper, creating that beautiful impression you can feel with your fingers, and giving your invitations a luxurious feel from the moment they arrive through your guests’ letterboxes.
We know, letterpress can be a little more expensive than digital printing, but this is one of those times when you really can feel the difference. Your wedding invitations are a pretty big deal, so choosing how they're printed is worth a little thought.
If you’ve fallen for the beautiful, pressed finish of letterpress but aren't quite sure what goes into it, you’re in the right place. In this article, we take you through what letterpress is, why it feels special and what makes it different to other printing methods.
Looking for something classic like the above? Check out the Selena collection.
What is letterpress printing?
Put simply, letterpress printing is a traditional printing technique that creates an impression in paper. Adding some texture to your wedding invitations, save the dates or other wedding stationery, letterpress printing creates a refined and high-end look and feel.
And it's been around for a very, very long time. According to Gutenberg Museum Mainz, German inventor Johannes Gutenberg introduced the method in the 15th century, and it remained the main way of printing for hundreds of years, right through to the 20th century.
It eventually began to disappear as newer printing methods took over, but thankfully, letterpress has made a rather lovely comeback, particularly for wedding stationery. Today, the craft is still used for specialty printing such as invitations and other high-end paper products. In fact, according to Inside Weddings, it has long been, and remains, a popular wedding printing option in the United States.
How does letterpress printing work?
So, how do we actually get that gorgeous impression into the paper? Ultimately, it’s all about pressure. A letterpress plate is inked and then pressed firmly into the card, transferring the design while leaving that distinctive indentation behind.
The plate has the design raised on its surface, so when it meets the paper, the ink is transferred exactly where it needs to be while the pressure leaves its mark in the card. So, it’s a little more hands-on than digital printing; all part of the craft!
Each invitation goes through a careful printing process, and that extra time and attention is what gives letterpress its luxury finish.
But that’s also why letterpress invitations take a little longer to produce! There’s more involved than simply pressing print. Resultantly, at Peppermint Press, we will ask that you allow a little extra time when ordering letterpress, so we have plenty of time to get everything just right!
Admire our Milan collection, like the above wedding invitation.
Letterpress vs foil press: what's the difference?
Just as letterpress involves expertly pressing text into paper, foil pressing involves stamping your design through gorgeous metallic foil. Leaving behind a luxury shiny finish, foil press offers a distinctive shimmering effect and a sense of even more heightened quality!
While both letterpress and foil press require the etching of a plate for the printing process, as well as pressure to apply the text, foil press also uses heat and metallic paper too.
Letterpress wedding invitations by Peppermint Press
So, what actually happens when you order letterpress wedding invitations with us? Well, there’s a little more to it than simply choosing a design and pressing print.
From the moment you place your order, there are a few carefully considered stages that bring your invitations to life, and we’ll guide you through each one along the way.
Curious about the above design? Check out the Georgia collection.
1. Ordering
Once you’ve ordered your invitations on our website, our expert designers contact you via email to collect your event details through an online questionnaire. It is at this stage that you will decide whether you want to use digital printing or letterpress printing, as well as which colours and shapes you want to use. We then start designing your order and send you a personalised design presentation for review.
2. Approval
Once you have received your design presentation, you can request changes to your order’s colours and wording. Your designer will then work to accommodate your feedback.
3. Production
When you and your designer have arrived at your dream invitations, it is time to approve your design for production. Once approved, your designer will prepare and send your order for production.
4. Delivery
With your wedding stationery in our hands, we will carry out a final check before packing and sending your order.
For more information about our process, products and how it all works, click here.
