Paper Choices
This has been mentioned numerous times but many of the topics are years old. Curious what papers people might recommend? Been using Lettra fairly exlusively, and while loving it, very curious to try some less pricey options as well as some smoother papers (or possibly textures). Savoy sounds interesting, but actually more expensive than most Lettra options I’ve found online.
Some people in earlier posts mentioned NOT going with 100% cotton (they mentioned tree wood pulp) all the time, which I’ assuming would alter prices.
I think a continuing curiosity is the texture on some of these papers that are mentioned in forums. If you have a paper you suggest, could you just give a super short description of it.
Thanks!!
-Daniel
Daniel,
You don’t mention what kind of letterpress printing you are doing, or what market you are printing for. I imagine you are going for deep impression, since you mention Lettra. Because I print in the traditional manner (i.e. the ideal is to have no impression), I can’t be of much help. However, I do remember seeing in a thread, not too long ago, that some people don’t like Lettra. Perhaps some of the deep impression people will chime in.
You did mention smoother papers. Generally, if we leave the impression consideration aside for a moment, the smoother the paper is, and the more the surface is sealed (through sizing, clay coating, etc.), the easier it is to print on. And, if you are using metal type and do your makeready properly, the type will last a lot longer with minimum impression.
Regarding wood fiber papers, the vast majority of papers used today are 100% wood fiber. This was not always the case, however. Prior to about 1860, virtually all paper was made from cotton rags. After that, processes were developed to use wood fiber, and wood fiber came into wide use because there just weren’t enough rags to satisfy the increasing demand for paper, and I’m sure, because it became cheaper to use wood.
I don’t know if there is an equivalent paper for deep impression with some, or a lot of, wood fiber content. It would be interesting to hear from others on this. I would be surprised if there wasn’t.
Hi Daniel:
We actually use a wide range of papers, mostly cotton but some are mix and even coated papers. The type of stock will really come down to as Geoffrey mentioned, the market you are going after. Lately there seems to be a trend at least in our market for 4ply museum board. This is not something I would recommend since it is very hard and not at all cost effective. We sometimes venture to the coated paper section as well achieving some interesting results.
In the end like everything else in this industry, try and correct and re-try, until you achieve what you want.
Good luck
Hey friends…sorry for the lack of details. I’d say I’m doing close to, if not exactly 100% of my printing on polymer plate plates. Mostly using Vandercook universals and C&Ps. I don’t think I necessarily need ‘deep’ impressions but do love some depth in the paper after it’s been printed.
Most of the printing is smaller runs for weddings, business cards, stationery, coasters…etc. Can’t imagine ever running more than 150 of a specific project (yet).
The museum board seems to be getting back to the heavier lettra. While harder, certainly near the 220 lb thickness.
Daniel,
There are many fine papers for letterpress printing. Personally I prefer Savoy when it comes to 100% cotton. However two sulfite (wood fiber) sheets stand out as having great formation and level print surfaces. Each is readily available in both sheets and envelopes through a variety of sources including their manufacturer’s own websites. Both have a variety of weights from 24# writing to extra heavy weight covers. They are Neenah Classic Crest and Mohawk’s Superfine. Superfine is available in both smooth and eggshell, a slightly more course-“vellum” like surface with a wonderful hand. These grades are both less expensive than the cotton grades and print beautifully.
Steve. Thanks so much for the input. I will look into getting a few pieces of these to mess around with. As I start working more and more letterpressing into my projects I’d really like to experiment with different types of paper. I was schooled in lettra and started in lettra. Excited to mess around with some other papers.
-Daniel
Dan,
As we say in New York, “not for nothing”, but you should drop the term “letterpressing”, or else the purists on this site will take you to task, like me.
Just for fun,
Steve
yghersi, any coated you recommend?
Steve. I’ve been in new york my whole life. You got any places for paper perusal?
There are so many fun ways to butcher a word, but I don’t want to poke fun at the purists. Thanks for the grammar correction ;)
Does anyone use Colourplan? I know someone who has suggested it, he uses it quite a lot.
Daniel,
Yes. New York has several great sources. For the highest end, Somerset and exotic high end papers go to Legion Paper. For Savoy go right to the source- Reich Paper in Bay Ridge. For some really interesting paper and pre-cut fold up envelopes and folders try enveloper.com on 21st, between 5th & 6th. For a very broad range of colors in flat pieces, folded cards and envelopes try envelopes.com (Amityville-warehouse and manufacturing facility, not a retail locale, all online.) and finally an easy place for a surprising variety of items, The Paper Source retail stores, there are several in NYC. Would like to know more about your work. Contact me off line. [email protected]