Communicating Deep Impressions

Letterpress Printing

Letterpress printing is relief panting of text and image using a press with a 'type-high bed' printing press and movable type, in which a reversed, raised surface is inked and then pressed into a sheet of paper to obtain a positive right-reading image. It was the normal form of printing text from its invention by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century until the 19th century and remained in wide use for books and other uses until the second half of the 20th century. In addition to the direct impression of inked movable type onto paper or another receptive surface, letterpress is also the direct impression of inked printmaking blocks such as photo-etched zinc 'cuts' (plates), linoleum blocks, wood engravings, etc., using such a press.