Category: General discussion
Later topic: Making plates for letterpress.
Earlier topic: Looking for Guidance...first letterpress...

calligraphy paper choice

Does anyone have any advice for paper choice when it comes to hand lettering? If one wants some kind of press impression, the paper choice for a card or invitiation is usually one such as Lettra with a high rag content, but most calligraphers prefer a smooth hot press envelope for addressing. How do you best reconcile this?

Thanks!
letterpress1

Log in to reply   2 replies so far

Hi letterpress1- I calligraph envelopes for the majority of my clients and I typically use Lettra envelopes- they are actually very easy to address as long as you’re using a dip pen. I find no problem even calligraphing the 110# stock for escort/place cards- it takes the ink very nicely! I use gouache though, rather than the more watery calligraphy inks out there. While there are plenty of envelopes out there that will take a nice impression and work for calligraphy, I wouldn’t at all be afraid to use Lettra. One paper I do have trouble with, and it may not be the case with other calligraphers, is Teton- it prints nicely but to me it’s like writing on sand paper- very uneven.

Thank you!