How does letterpress look on different types and thickness of stock?

When letterpress printing was first invented it was never intended to create an actual impression into the card or paper - the technique was purely to transfer ink.

However, letterpressing is such a cool, physical printing process, that in modern times we like it a bit more touchy-feely.

Running your fingers over the vintage-created texture is certainly a big part of the appeal.

The final result of your letterpress depends on a few factors. Obviously the colour ink you choose is very important, but so too is the type of stock and the thickness/weight (gsm) that you choose.

Don't forget that the colour of your letterpress ink is also affected by the colour of your stock. 

Single or double-thick stock?

Generally, letterpresss on a more rigid stock like Coco Linen or Woodland will produce a crisper result with slightly less impression than on a softer cotton-blend stock like Gmund Colors Cotton.

• On the left is Woodland Matcha in the single thickness/weight of 302gsm. On the right the Matcha's been duplexed to double-thick 604gsm. As you can see there's a greater depth of impression (the shadows created have also made the colours look a little a darker in this example).
• With double-thick, duplexed stock we can apply more pressure to the stock, as there's depth of stock to push into, creating a greater impression.
• Woodland's a highly textured stock - so choosing it for letterpress gives you a double-hit of textured loveliness.

• Crane Lettra is a softer, cotton stock, specifically made for letterpressing but it's not suitable for digital printing due to too much cottony fluff in our machines!) Gmund Colors Cotton is a beautiful cotton stock that's exclusively produced for Peterkin by blending delicately soft cotton fibres with 20% FSC-certified wood pulp. This creates the ideal combination for luxurious letterpress AND adds a soft dimension with a superior surface for digital printing. 
• The result on the double-thick stock is more impression when compared to the more rigid Woodland.

Click here to learn more about duplexing.