CRAFT PRINT PROCESSES

The speed and technology of machines created a niche market for embossing and foil stamping printed materials. Those kind of printing processes cannot be done on computers, says Werner Rebsamen, professor of print technology at Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Printing Management and Sciences. “It is still a craft and an art form,” Rebsamen says. “(It’s) printing the way they used to do it.”  -Rochester Business Journal, Digital Achieves

The kinds of processes used to fashion well-designed cards, books, thank yous, business forms and on, are considered craft when a skilled specialist works his machine to create one-of-a-kind impressions to stand as a record in time. These are the processes practiced by our team of specialists;

Foil Stamping is a process where colored metal foil is applied to paper with pressure and heat with a hand press. Once the design is finalized, metal dies are created in the appropriate shape for each individual color foil to be applied for a particular design. The dies are heated and then stamped with enough pressure to seal a thin layer of foil to the paper, and each color is applied individually through multiple runs of the press to create the final design. A final die may also be created if an embossed (raised) image or effect is desired for the design.

Engraving is the finest of all the specialty printing processes. It is a direct process that applies two tons of pressure to create an impression. The forced pressure creates a raised surface that holds ink. Engraving holds great detail and adds a tactical quality to the paper surface that is as human as it is eloquent.

Embossing also creates a raised surface in the paper that catches light in an eloquent simple way. It needs no ink. Because of its subtlety the impression is also know as a blind emboss. Embossing is one of the most quiet yet powerful ways to create an impression.

Debossing creates an impression in the surface of the paper but in the opposite fashion as that of Embossing. Debossing creates a depression in comparison to a raised surface. Debossing is particularly effective on think chunky stocks such as cover weight cards.

Letterpress is similar to engraving but is more forgiving and creates a look from being less precise. Both letterpress and engraving create a tactile feel on the paper. Engraving creates a raised print and letterpress creates a depressed print. Traditionally the plate is composed of metal type figures and line art all cast or cut into metal. The metal type cases are used for letterpress. Each color is a separate hand pulled impression from the press making each print unique.