I’ve been obsessed with pretty paper for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been a crafter and used to save the tiniest scraps of paper from my own projects, including magazine and book snippets from the thrift store. I’ve always had a card on hand for every occasion. After college, I worked for a wedding blog, where we shared custom invitation suites from stationers everywhere, which only intensified my love of the craft. Because I don’t have endless space, I’m more of an admirer than a collector (or maker) of papercraft these days… Whether it’s making paper by hand (fascinating!), dyeing it yourself, or the art of printmaking, I have a full catalog of paper inspiration saved on my Instagram and Pinterest just because. One of my favorite way to make pretty paper even prettier, though, is the art of letterpress.
Whether they use multiple colors or none at all, layers of paper or just a single sheet, I can’t get over how beautiful letterpress is and how many ways there are to create with it. My favorite modern letterpress designer is Swell Press, by Britt Rohr in Los Angeles. Fun fact: we featured Britt in our self care for creatives series just after we launched this blog. Give it a read here!
Wavy die cut color block Celia notecards handprinted in LA, on tree-free 100% cotton paper by Swell Press.
And a custom piece by Swell Press, these die cut layers for an invitation concept. You see why I love them so?!
Custom green, orange, and purple letterpress bookmarks and notebooks by Inker Tinker.
Pink modern letterpress stationery on “pink lemonade” paper (by French Paper Co) Palindrome Creative Co.
Colorful calendar by Palindrome Creative Co.
Business cards by for Stitch Press for a Melbourne hair stylist featuring blind emboss + ink on 400gsm textured stock. Love the pale pink + yellow color palette!
Fun letterpress thank you cards by Wknd Press in purple and lavender.
Speaking of lavender, here’s a modern menu design by Smitten with Ink with Colorplan papers (who are so so good, definitely follow their Instagram – they feature all of the talents who use their paper).
Like I said, letterpress can be just as stunning without any color at all (and this is coming from a maximalist!), as evidenced by this Camellia & Co French thank you note. All of Leigh’s stationery and wedding invitations are just stunning!
Letterpress pocket notebooks by Pike Street Press (from here in Seattle) in soft and pretty hues.
Book-inspired business cards by Bright Press designed by Janice Law.
The cutest bumble bee birthday card by Lauren Smith, who is also a maker of absolutely beautiful botanically dyed handmade papers. (New dream job? I think so!)
Letterpress floral details of this custom invitation suite by Sole Paper Co, whose style is so romantic and timeless!
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