FAQ
Common questions
Can I start letterpress printing without buying a vintage press?
Yes — two options. First, rent press time at a local letterpress studio (common in most cities, typically $15–30/hour). Second, use a craft letterpress machine like the We R Memory Keepers Letterpress, which ships new and works with pre-made plates. The craft machine won't give you the classic deep-impression look, but it teaches the inking and printing workflow.
How do I get polymer plates made?
Send your artwork (high-resolution PDF or EPS) to a polymer plate service like Boxcar Press or Owosso Graphics. They expose the plate, develop it, and ship it ready to mount in your press. Expect $25–50 per plate and 3–5 business days turnaround. Once the hobby sticks, a UV exposure unit and plate film let you make plates at home for about $2–5 each.
What ink should I use as a beginner?
Van Son Rubber Base Plus is the shop standard and what most experienced printers will recommend — rich color, slow to dry (good for beginners), and widely available. If you'd rather not deal with solvent cleanup in a home setup, Caligo Safe Wash gives you similar quality with soap-and-water cleanup. Start with black. Add one or two spot colors once you're comfortable with setup.
Do I need a darkroom to work with polymer plates?
No. Polymer plates are sensitive to UV light, not general ambient light. Normal indoor lighting is fine — you just don't want to leave unexposed plate material in direct sunlight. The exposure process itself takes 60–120 seconds in a UV unit, and washout is done under tap water. No darkroom, no special ventilation.
How long does it take to print 100 cards?
Once your press is set up and registered (usually 30–60 minutes the first time, much faster on repeat runs), a tabletop press can print 100 cards in 60–90 minutes at a comfortable pace. Multi-color runs multiply setup time — plan a full day for two-color work until you're fast at registration.
What paper weight should I buy for letterpress?
Start with 110# cover weight (Crane Lettra or equivalent). This is the sweet spot between impression depth and press manageability. Go up to 220# for dramatic deep deboss on greeting cards; drop to 80# for lightweight tags, stationery, or anything that needs to fold cleanly. The weight is listed as '110# cover,' not '110# text' — cover and text weights use different base-sheet calculations.
How much does it cost to start letterpress printing?
A small vintage tabletop press (Kelsey 5x8) runs $200–400 on eBay. Add $40 for ink, $30 for paper, $25–50 for plates on your first project, and $30 for a brayer and basic tools. Realistic startup: $350–550 for a functional setup. The press is the only big fixed cost — consumables (ink, paper, plates) run $30–80 per project.
Can letterpress print photographs?
Technically yes, using halftone plates — where photographs are broken into tiny dots of varying size. But halftone work is unforgiving: ink viscosity, roller pressure, and paper texture all affect dot gain. Beginners should stick to line art (text, illustration, geometry) until they have a feel for how their press handles ink. Halftone letterpress is a year-two project.
