FÀILTE!
OUR STORY
THE JOY OF LETTERPRESS
Letterpress printing is a technique of relief printing for hand-producing impressions of an inked, raised surface against individual sheets of paper. This action of applying ink on top of movable type or a raised surface, and the ‘press’ to transfer the ink from the surface, is what creates a beautiful, tactile unique print.
Letterpress is one the oldest of the traditional printing techniques in existence. Originally invented in China around the 11th century, it’s modern father is credited as Johannes Gutenberg, who in the mid-15th century invented moveable type. His invention radically advanced the technique and therefore allowed books to be printed at an unprecedented rate.
This form of printing remained the primary method of printing until the 19th century, changing once again rapidly through industrialization, until almost wiped out by the digital age.
Today, letterpress printing remains instantly recognisable due to the look and feel of the end product. It is widely revered as a luxury item due to the handmade nature of the process. We are so proud in our efforts to keep this printing process alive and well.
By being here today, you are helping to keep the traditional and centuries old printing process alive in a digital world. You should be proud of that fact!
ABOUT
THE LETTERPRESS CAFE
I am Padraig Clarke owner of The Letterpress Cafe, born in Ireland and living and working in Hertfordshire, where The Letterpress Cafe was born.
Ever since studying Typographic Design at University, I have have a love affair with typography, fonts and graphic design. Whether it is album artwork, a newspaper or magazine stand, billboard posters, product packaging - the visual impact of typography in everything we see around us cannot be underestimated.
I am a passionate advocate of traditional letterpress techniques, graphic design and printmaking, creating my distinctive brand of upbeat messaging.
However you found your way here, ‘failte’ or ‘welcome’.
ETHICAL VALUES
WHY IS SUSTAINABILITY SO IMPORTANT TO US?
We are at a pivotal point within the preservation of our environment. So here at The Letterpress Cafe, sustainability is not a trendy buzzword, it is a commitment to not only keep traditional craft methods alive, but to ensure all our products meet our sustainable objectives.
During the early 00's there was a negativity surrounding sending greeting cards, as everything was so mass produced. The evolution of the e-Card industry become extremely popular as a way for people to show they were anti-paper, or that they were saving the trees. But today the world is far more knowledgeable about sustainably and how to truly achieve it, and especially in the paper industry.
We believe that sustainability will drive the businesses of the future. By pursuing sustainability, we are helping to educate and promote the concepts of carbon reduction. This is why we place so much importance on the materials we use. Everything is from sustainable sources.
ETHICAL RECYCLED PAPER ONLY
Our letterpress greeting cards are environmentally friendly and printed on 100% cotton paper, made from recovered cotton fibers which are totally tree-free.
Our envelopes are made from 100% recycled paper using post-consumer waste.
Our protective sleeves are 100% compostable and biodegradable made from vegetable starch.
Our protective grey-boards (the backing boards to our larger prints) is 100% recycled material.
We are proud to source our paper from G.F. Smith, who since 1885 have been curating the world’s finest and most distinctive papers.
OUR VINTAGE PRINTING PRESS
We use a variety of printing presses, but our favorite is ''Jude'' - our loved, beautifully-restored, vintage printing press, dating from the 1960s. Originally released in 1953, the original Adana was unveiled costing just £16.80. We found ours ready to be thrown into a skip, and salvaged it for our business. The unique thing about all our cards and prints is that there are all hand-printed. So our energy consumption and carbon footprint is zero.
We only produce small print-runs to reduce un-necessary waste.
Everything is hand-printed, no large scale printing, no digital printing.
We want our cards and prints to be unique and to bring joy to those that receive them. To us they are more than just a 'greeting card'. We want to encourage you to enjoy them forever, to treasure them and frame them.
