Why Letterpress?

We have often been asked this question and have found that it can be answered quite easily by simply handing over a sample of our letterpress stationery to be examined and touched.

As it is not always possible to hand over a sample (you can order one though).  Following we have attempted to deliver the experience with a brief description of the process and product. We have also attempted to recreate the experience of letterpress in our photography.

Our belief is that no other printing process comes close to the sumptuous elegance that the deep impression of letterpress leaves when seen for the first time.  From its inception in the mid-fifteenth century, when Johannes Gutenberg developed the process, until relatively recently loose type was meticulously arranged and the skill of the printer lay in allowing the type to merely kiss the paper leaving no indentation what so ever.  Today however this has all changed with many contemporary printers utilising sophisticated software packages to generate intricate designs that can be transformed into as few as one printing block and deliberately looking for a deep impression in the paper in order to bring their designs to life by adding depth and feel to their craft.

At Unita Design we combine modern technology in our mac with a 100 plus year old ARAB platen press, thus allowing for very intricate designs to be transformed into the majesty of letterpress.  It clearly oozes creativity, tradition, authenticity and beauty.