There are several printing processes you can choose from, depending on your style and budget.
The grande dame of printing processes is engraving. Engraving is one of the oldest and most beautiful processes for reproducing images on paper. Developed during the 1700s, it was initially used to reproduce the documents and announcements that were copied by hand at that time.
The appeal of engraving was in the exquisite detail created by its three-dimensional impression. Engravers were talented craftsmen who carried their trade from the Old World to the Americas. Their craft was not only used to produce stationery and announcements but also currency papers, such as stocks, bonds and dollar bills. Two of the United States’ most famous engravers were Paul Revere and Benjamin Franklin.
The most elegant invitations are still engraved. The invitation copy is etched in reverse into a copper plate, and ink is deposited into the resulting cavity. The engraving press then forces the paper into the cavity, creating a raised impression.
The easiest way to tell if an invitation is engraved is to turn it over. If there’s an indentation, it’s engraved. The indentation is caused by the pressure the engraving press exerts on the paper when it forces the paper into the cavity of the die. None of the other processes produce an indentation like this.
When you look at the front of the indentation, you’ll notice its ‘bruise’. The invitation will have a gentle wave or ripple to it, giving it a look of distinction. Run your fingers across it. You’ll feel the softness of the cotton paper interrupted by the sharp, crisp lines that can only be created by engraving, as the paper is literally raised with the ink adhering to its raised surface. The fact that the paper itself is raised is what distinguishes engraving from printing and thermography.
Which leads us to our next printing process, thermography. Thermography is sometimes called ‘raised printing’, although the printing is not raised at all. Unlike engraving, where the paper is actually raised, the raise in thermography is created by a resinous powder that is melted over the flat-printed ink. Thermography is less expensive than engraving and can give your invitations a look similar to, but not quite as distinguished as, engraving.
Another choice is blind embossing (or just ’embossing’). It’s a process similar to engraving. As with engraving, a raised impression is created from a copper plate. Unlike engraving, no ink is used. Blind embossing is commonly used for a family coat of arms, the return address on the outside envelopes, and monogrammed thank-you notes.
Letterpress is also an option. It’s a more casual style and has seen a recent resurgence, with independent letterpress printers popping up all over the world. Developed in the 14th century, letterpress printing involves setting type and motifs in reverse on a letterpress plate. The plate is then inked and pressed onto the surface of a paper. You can tell if an invitation has undergone this printing process by running your fingers across the paper and feeling for depressions where the letters have been — you got it — pressed.
Finally, there’s foil stamping. What makes this process different from all the others is that it doesn’t use ink. It uses — yep — foil. Like engraving and letterpress printing, a plate is made. Then, the foil is pressed between the paper and the plate. Because of the metallic quality of most foils, this printing process allows your invitations to quite literally shine.