Letterpress Business Cards

Letterpress Business Cards can be produced on any of these great stocks:

Click the time stamp link on the left to view video footage of each stock.

01:30 - Lucky Day / Cordenons Wild Natural (White)

02:26 - Deer Hoof / Cordenons Wild Natural (Sand)

02:38 - Top Hat / Cordenons Wild Natural (Black)

02:54 - The Crown / St. Cutherberts - Saunders Waterford (White) HP

03:54 - UK Bell / @Hahnemühle Leonardo Rough (600 gsm)

04:38 - The Soloist / Saunders Waterford (White) 638 gsm Rough

04:58 - Free Range / Crane Lettra Fluorescent White (600 gsm)

05:58 - Unicorn Magic / Crane & Co - Crane Lettra Pearl White (600 gsm)

06:14 - Classic Florist / Gmund Cotton White (600 gsm)

07:25 - Lady Shoes / Gmund Heidi White (530 gsm) 100% Recycled

08:31 - Der Schaedel / Gmund Cotton Light Gray (600 gsm)

09:01 - Black Rabbit / Gmund Heidi - Dull Black (530 gsm)

09:12 - Wild Natural Black vs Heidi Dull Black

09:43 - Der Hund / Gmund Heidi - Soft Kraft (530 gsm)

09:56 - Wild Natural Sand vs Heidi Soft Kraft

10:10 - Nice Chair / Sakura Cotton (700 gsm)

10:44 - Saunders Waterford vs Sakura Cotton

Letterpress Business Cards can be enhanced with any of these optional features:

• Letterpress Printing (PMS Colors)
• Raised Ink (Thermography)
• Rounded Corners
• Spot Gloss UV (Clear Thermography or Foil)
• Folding
• Hot Foil (All Colors)
• Edge Painting (PMS Colors)
• Edge Foil (All Colors)
• Die Cutting
• Laser Cutting
• Paper Duplexing
• Embossing / Debossing
• Paper Duplexing

Letterpress Business Cards typically require:

• PREMIUM Turnaround Time (See chart below)

Turnaround depends on the paper & features selected for your project.

Not sure which category your order falls in to? Feel free to contact our support team.

 * These are Averages based on our previous 12 months of orders.

By policy, we DO NOT GUARANTY TURNAROUND TIMES - there are simply too many factors outside of our control.

Please note, Ship Time is in addition to Production Time.

If you do have a HARD DEADLINE, please reach out to our customer support before placing your order to confirm feasibility. 

For orders over $250, we offer FREE Temporary Prints to help bridge longer wait times. These are basic 16 pt full color prints that can ship out in 2-3 days.

Visit our archive of Blank Starter Templates

What are letterpress business cards?

Letterpress business cards use one of the oldest printing methods, letterpress. Letterpress impresses the paper and adds fine details to any design, unlike digital and offset printing. It makes elegant stationery, wedding invitations, greeting cards, and other paper products.

Digital and litho printing transfer ink from rollers to a flat surface in one step. Letterpress makes several impressions on lightly pressed cardstock using plates. This elevated effect offers a captivating 3D effect. It also highlights texture, like ink "kisses" made with slight pressure.

Its unpredictability makes it appealing. Each print is unique since ink levels change during each run. A hand-made texture is produced. Exceptional! Letterpress printing is also more durable. Even if they fall off a desk, letterpress business cards will last longer.

How to make letterpress business cards

Letterpress business card tips:

Select the suitable material. Choose strong, sturdy paper for your business cards to withstand several printing presses. Heavyweight papers like cotton or bamboo work well. Smooth papers are great for detailed artwork and typography.

2. Design. Most letterpress works require two plates: one to print the design onto the paper, and another to "trap" (a lot) additional ink onto transfer sheets so it doesn't stick to locations on the page where there shouldn't be any ink. Keep your design simple because this extra trapping will take longer to build.

3. Prepare plates. There are several techniques to prepare metal plates for letterpress printing, depending on the printer. Etch metal directly onto zinc plates or polymer-coat thin boards composed of wood, MDF, or polyester resin (also known as offset litho printing). Metal plates are better since they allow you to adjust production runs and save them for later use.

What cardstock is used for letterpress business cards?

Cotton, bamboo, and recycled paper are the most common papers for letterpress business cards. Cotton is costly. Smooth and somewhat textured. Its sumptuous feel and durability allow letterpress printing with great detail. Bamboo paper is thicker than cardstock, making it ideal for letterpress printing with beautiful raised impressions. It's printed differently and eco-friendly. Finally, utilize recyclable paper for business cards. Translucent vellum and kraft papers add intrigue to your cards.

Make sure your material is thick enough so it doesn't warp when printed. Your design won't look crisp and professional when printed on thin cardstock materials.