Letterpress Printing for Journal Covers and Notecards
A deep, tactile impression your customers can see and feel.
A one-color letterpress journal cover with metal spiral binding
Letterpress is one of the oldest printing methods in the world, and it is still one of the most memorable. A custom plate is inked and pressed into thick, soft paper, leaving a design that sits below the surface of the sheet. Run a finger across it and you feel every letter.
We use letterpress for journal covers, for bookmarks, and for thank you cards and notecards packed with your planners and journals. Each one gives your product a handcrafted, premium feel that digital printing alone cannot match.
Three Ways to Use Letterpress
On the product
Journal Covers
A letterpress cover turns a journal into a keepsake. The impressed title and artwork give the cover depth and texture on an ultra-premium, vellum-textured cover paper, bound with wire-o or metal spiral. A strong choice for limited editions, gift journals, and premium lines where the first touch sets the tone.
With the product
Bookmarks
Foil stamped first, then letterpress printed, a bookmark layers metallic shine over a deep, inked impression. It makes a beautiful companion to a journal or planner, or a standalone gift your customers will use every day. See all our printed bookmark options.
In the box
Thank You Cards
A letterpress thank you card or notecard on thick cotton paper, placed with each planner or journal, is one of the simplest ways to elevate the unboxing experience. Use it for a personal welcome note, a thank you from the author, or a card your customer keeps long after the packaging is gone.
Cards and Bookmarks Packed With Every Order
Because we print, store, and ship your products, your letterpress cards and bookmarks can live in the same inventory as your planners and journals. When an order comes in, we place the card or bookmark with the product and ship it to your customer. You do not need to stock them at home or pack anything yourself.
They are printed in one batch and held in our warehouse, so every piece matches no matter when the order ships. Learn more about adding inserts to orders on our Kitting and Assembly page.
Folded notecard
Flat card
Bookmark with foil and letterpress
Letterpress, Foil Stamping, and Debossing Compared
All three create a premium cover, and they are often confused. Here is how they differ.
Ink plus impression
Letterpress
An inked plate presses your design into soft, thick paper. You get color and depth in a single pass, with a handcrafted look.
Metallic finish
Foil Stamping
Heat and pressure transfer metallic or matte foil onto the cover. Best when you want shine and contrast. See our foil samples.
Impression only
Debossing
A die presses the design into the cover with no ink or foil. The result is subtle and tone on tone.
Letterpress can also be paired with foil stamping on the same piece. The foil is stamped first and the letterpress is printed over it, for a layered, high-end finish.
Choosing Your Letterpress Paper
Letterpress depends on the paper. Thick, soft cotton paper gives the deepest impression, which makes it our first choice for thank you cards and notecards. For journal covers we recommend a smooth, vellum-textured cover paper instead, since cotton shows dust and wear on a cover that is handled every day.
We keep a range of cotton, smooth, eggshell, and kraft papers in stock, and we source and manage all paper for letterpress projects. Other papers and colors can be ordered for your project, though freight and paper minimums add to the cost.
Ink Colors
Letterpress inks are mixed to your colors. We can print any uncoated or metallic Pantone (PMS) color, which makes letterpress a good choice when a brand color needs to match closely.
Choose an ink darker than your paper. Light ink does not cover well on dark paper, so for a light design on a dark paper we recommend pigment foil instead. See our foil samples for color options.
Preparing Your Letterpress Artwork
Letterpress artwork is set up like foil stamping: send your design as a black, vector PDF and tell us the Pantone ink color. Keep these points in mind:
- Letterpress is best for typography, simple one-color line drawings, and logos.
- Large blocks of color, color images, and other heavy-coverage designs are not suited to letterpress.
- Fine lines and small text need enough weight to hold up under pressure.
- Cards can be any size. If you want a companion envelope, size your card to fit the envelope.
We review every letterpress file before printing and let you know if anything should be adjusted to print well. Visit our Print Specifications and Templates page for file requirements across our products.
Minimums and Plates
Letterpress has a minimum order of 100. Each design is printed from a custom plate, which is a one-time charge confirmed after we review your artwork. We keep your plate on file, so reorders of the same design carry no plate charge.
See letterpress in action. Watch our letterpress product video, or read more on our blog: Add Timeless Luxury with Letterpress Printing.
Make a Lasting Impression
Elevate your journal covers, or add a thoughtful touch with a letterpress thank you card or bookmark tucked in with every order. Every piece is printed in the USA, stored with your inventory, and shipped with your planners and journals, so you never have to pack a thing yourself.
Letterpress is a detail customers remember. Pair it with board covers, hardcover books, and branded packaging to build a complete product experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is letterpress printing?
Letterpress is a traditional printing method in which an inked plate is pressed into thick, soft paper. The design sits below the surface of the sheet, so it has texture you can see and feel.
What can Vervante print with letterpress?
We print letterpress journal covers, bookmarks, and thank you cards and notecards that can be packed with your planners and journals.
What binding is used with a letterpress journal cover?
Letterpress journal covers are bound with wire-o or metal spiral binding.
What is the minimum order for letterpress?
The minimum order for letterpress is 100.
Can letterpress cards be included with my planner or journal orders?
Yes. Your cards are printed in one batch, stored with your inventory, and placed with each planner or journal when the order ships.
How do I set up letterpress artwork?
Letterpress artwork is set up like foil stamping. Send your design as a black, vector PDF and tell us the Pantone ink color.
Do I pay for a new plate when I reorder?
No. The plate is a one-time charge. We keep it on file, so reorders of the same design carry no plate charge.
What paper is used for letterpress?
Cards are printed on thick cotton paper for the deepest impression. For journal covers we recommend a smooth, vellum-textured cover paper, since cotton shows dust and wear on a cover. We source and manage all letterpress paper.
What ink colors are available for letterpress?
Letterpress can be printed in any uncoated or metallic Pantone color. For the best results, choose an ink darker than your paper, or use pigment foil for a light design on dark paper.
What designs work best for letterpress?
Letterpress is best for typography, simple one-color line drawings, and logos. Large blocks of color, color images, and other heavy-coverage designs are not suited to letterpress.
Ready to Add Letterpress to Your Product?
Whatever stage you are at, here is where to start.
