Thermography

Created as an economical alternative to die stamping/engraving where the printed area is raised from the printed sheet. The thermography process is an add-on to lithography or letterpress and does not involve making a die. While the ink is still wet, a resin is applied to the printed sheet. The resin is then removed except where it has adhered to the wet ink. The sheet is then heated for a crucial period which is just enough to soften the resin without it melting over the edges of the image, although it always does to some extent. The finished result can be almost as good as die stamping to the tutored eye, and just as good to the untutored. Since there is no pressure exerted to the back of the sheet, there is no noticeable mark here.

Our thermography differs to other printers’; as we are always trying to emulate the fineness of die stamping. We encourage you to request a sample from us to discover just how good a result we are able to achieve.

Engraving

Engraving is the process by which text or an image is first etched by machine or hand onto a copper or steel die. This die is then used to stamp the sheet, pushing the surface of the paper or card up, creating a raised image to the front. Intense pressure is used simultaneously with the application of ink, creating a raised image or text in the chosen ink colour.

This historical printing process was the first method used to create a raised image, and now has largely been replaced by thermography. However, due to the pressure used in the process of die-stamping (over a ton per square inch) fine lines are more genuinely reproduced than by thermography, so die stamping is often considered superior. The necessity of a metal die makes small runs relatively expensive compared with thermography. There is a varying visible indentation to the back of the sheet depending on the stock and machine minder.

Although dies are seldom made by hand anymore, Gee Brothers is one of a few remaining specialist printers offering a hand-engraving service for wedding invitations.

Letterpress

Create depth and texture with letterpress printing. For the very best results ask for our soft-finish card by G.F. Smith, available in a range of stocked card colours. This type of card lends itself extremely well to the letterpress process as it allows for the pressure mark (debossing) that has become so popular.