Letterpress on flat pieces
Yes, we letterpress flat pieces — on cotton heavy enough to take the bite without the impression reading through to the other side.
Letterpress is a physical process: a plate presses ink into the sheet rather than laying it on top. On a business card that is easy, because the card is thick and usually single-sided in the areas that matter. On a postcard or a mailer, the second side is part of the job, and that is where the decision gets made.
Two builds solve it. A duplex — two sheets bonded into one — absorbs the impression so side two stays flat. Or a lighter hand: a shallower bite that reads as ink and texture rather than a deep debossed line.
Fine line work, type and rule letterpress beautifully at flat-piece sizes. Large solid fields do not — they show the press, and not in a flattering way.
A deep impression on a single-ply sheet will show on the reverse. That is physics, not a quality issue — build a duplex or ease the bite.
Looking for cards rather than flat pieces? Letterpress business cards.
Letterpress — questions we get
- Can you letterpress a two-sided postcard?
- Yes, with a duplex sheet or a lighter impression. A deep bite on a single-ply sheet shows through on the reverse, so the build has to account for the second side before the plate is made.
- How many colours can be letterpressed?
- Each colour is its own plate and its own pass. Two is common and reads as considered; beyond three the registration cost outweighs the effect on a flat piece.
Pieces that take letterpress
- PostcardsFlat, two-sided, mailed at postcard rate up to 6×4¼. Letterpress or offset.
- FlyersThe piece someone takes from a counter. 8.5×11 and 5.5×8.5, flat or folded.
- Folded mailersBi-fold and tri-fold, scored on press. Self-mailer sizes that pass USPS.
- Menus & insertsHeavy stock that survives a table. Uncoated takes a pen; soft-touch doesn't.
- Small postersUp to 12×18 on cover weight. Letterpress runs at this size; foil does with a big die.