This week, I am continuing in this vein, and would like to add to our “mini-glossary” of printing terms. After this installment, you will be well on your way to discussing your invitations with your stationer or printer.
DIFFERENT PRINTING METHODS
There are multiple printing methods available to you that you should consider before actually sending your invitations to press.
Lithography (LE THA GRAFEE) or Offset Printing
This method of printing is one of the most popular. It involves burning the image or artwork to four separate plates, a cyan plate, a magenta plate, a yellow plate and a black plate. Some presses have enough stations to accommodate solid ink plates as well. Stock is fed through the press and the image is transferred or “offset” onto a blanket from the plate and from the blanket to the stock.
Pros: Ink coverage is of a superior quality. Great for achieving consistency on creative that has solid blocks of color.
Cons: Setup costs are expensive and will be your main cost driver. Typical invitation quantities of 150 to 300 are usually considered too small for Lithography printing, unless solid colors are absolutely necessary. Contract proofs (which I recommend for accurately reviewing color) also add to your costs and are on average $75 and up.
Digital Printing
Extremely popular printing method for a short run! Digital presses usually use toner-based inks and do not require plates. The setup costs for digital quality prints are low and you essentially pay for stock used + ink.
Pros: Perfect for qtys ranging from 25 – 500. Invitation and other wedding stationery elements typically fall right into this category. Proof costs are minimal and can be output as a “one off” from the press onto the stock you have selected.
Cons: Ink coverage and quality is not as nice and rich as lithography, and solid colors cannot be achieved through the digital printing process. CMYK only!
Engraving
Engraving is without a doubt, the most expensive method of printing your invite. Text and images are etched onto a copper plate, and your stock “kisses” the plate. The area where the image and text are become raised. The test for true engraving is to check the back of the stock. You will see an actual indentation on the back of the stock from the plate.
Pros: You can be confident that you are using the most traditional method of printing your invitations. Engraving will provide the highest quality.
Cons: Invitation costs will skyrocket. Budget conscious brides will find this method to be cost prohibitive.
Thermography (THUR MAH GRAFEE) Printing
Beautiful after execution, thermography printing also features lettering that is RAISED. The process occurs on press and involves spreading thermal powders on the wet ink and heating it. The area that has been treated with the powder dries into a solid mass, hence, the dimension.
Pros: Often referred to as the “poor mans engraving”, this method is cheaper than engraving and gives your invitations an “all too important” feel and look!
Cons: Because the raised lettering effect occurs on press, there is no way to REALLY inspect the proof prior to the press run. A small intangible, but I like to show my clients everything!
Letterpress
The opposite effect of engraving and thermography is letterpress. It is relief printing. Steel backed plates with raised metal type are pressed into thick, high-quality stock. The result is usually a beautiful motif and type indentation that is filled with ink. Read tips from Accucolor Printing
Pros: There are so many beautiful combinations of letterforms and artwork that can be effective for letterpress printing; I believe the bride that elects this method will end up with the most unique invitation.
Cons: Costs… Design and printing of letterpress can be very costly, especially if your quantity is over 100.
That covers the printing methods! Next week, we’ll discuss the different components of your invitation suite!
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