custom letterpress ordering information
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Handmade Paper
We produce 100% recycled cotton sheets of paper by hand at our urban paper mill in Portland, Oregon. Soft deckled edges are formed as each sheet is drawn from a vat of water and pulp. Due to the natural, handmade quality, paper may vary slightly in thickness, color, and texture. Our paper is strong, acid-free, and produced with remnants from the garment industry. Deckled, cut edges, or rounded corners can be substituted on most designs (may affect pricing). Purchase a swatch deck of all nine of our handmade paper colors here.
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Machine-made Paper
Bamboo (98# cover) is a warm white paper made from renewable bamboo fibers. Stonehenge (90# cover) is made in the USA from 100% cotton, and is naturally acid-free, ph neutral, and chlorine-free. Stonehenge is available with a single deckled edge, cut edges, or rounded corners. Classic Crest (130# double thick) is FSC certified available in white, cream, and gray. Museum board comes in 2-ply or 4-ply, is 100% cotton, and is available with cut edges or rounded corners. Matboard is made of 100% recycled fiber, is offered in a variety of colors, and lends itself well to designs looking for a full bleed of color on one side.
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Envelopes
All invitation or personal stationery orders include blank house white or cream envelopes, most made from 30% PCW content or produced from sustainable forests. Please note that bamboo envelopes are not available in Pocket size. Five additional envelopes will be provided without charge for each order. letterpress return address printing is available on the envelope backflap (1 ink: see price b, 2 inks: price c, 1 foil: price c). colored envelopes are available upon request. Outer machine-made envelopes are available for A7, 6" square, and Regal folded and flat invitations in cream and white. Please see price B.
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Envelope Liners / Belly Bands
Envelope liners are die cut by letterpress and then assembled by hand. Please see price D. For 2" wide belly bands, see price C. You may also provide your own paper (plus overage) for a 10% discount. Self assembly is available at a 50% discount.
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Vellum Jackets / Slip Sheets
Vellum jackets (wrapped around invitations) include a letterpress score for perfect folding. See price D.
For vellum or tissue paper slip sheets, see price A.
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Ribbon / Twine
Silk ribbon is available in a variety of colors and widths. See price D. For waxed linen thread, see price C. Please contact us for additional options.
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Letterpress Printing
Letterpress printing reflects an era of quality and craftsmanship. This historic method of printing uses raised type and images, inked and pressed into the surface of heavy papers. Sheets are fed, one at a time, by hand into cast iron platen presses. Some presses in our letterpress studio date back over 100 years. Our process begins with original designs, tailored to your occasion. For each order our production staff creates individual plates on location, prints with soy based inks, and finishes every piece by hand.
We can work with you to create a unique design or you can start with one of the invitations we've pre-designed! Our suites are meant to make designing easy if you see exactly what you want, but if you want something more custom, whether it be a font change, additional ink color, or any number of variances, please inquire.
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Inks
We letterpress print using soy-based inks. Please note that the paper color may affect the ink color. Ink coverage varies depending on the design and paper type. Custom Pantone ink colors (uncoated) are available for $47.50 each.
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Foil Stamping
Foil stamping is available in a range of shiny and matte colors. Custom foil colors are available for $47.50. Maximum surface coverage to be no more than 6½ x 9¼ inches. Due to press size limitations, some designs are not available for foil printing. Rush service is not available due to the plate-making process. Please contact us for further information.
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Wax Seals
Wax seals are available in a range of colors and motifs. They can be ordered as loose seals with adhesive backing (see price code D) or adhered (see price code E). Custom brass wax stampers are available for $72.50 and ship with the order. Please have all envelopes containing wax seals hand-canceled at your local post office. We do not recommend using wax seals on outer envelopes.
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Fonts
Our vast font library includes hundreds of fonts. Please inquire for more available options. You can also provide us with your own font files (.otf) or custom calligraphy. Please inquire for more information.
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Pricing
use our comprehensive pricing guide to determine the price of your customer’s custom letterpress request. click the button below to see a digital version of our pricing guide for retail customers.
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Customer-supplied Artwork
Custom artwork may be printed using customer-provided files. Artwork must be provided in vector black and white, editable PDF format, EPS, or as a packaged design file. The recommended resolution is 600+dpi. Digital files may be emailed to design@oblationpapers.com. Please reference the customer's name with the file.
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Design Service
Custom design and illustration services are available for an additional charge of $100 per hour ($50/minimum).
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Calligraphy
We work with skilled calligraphers, who offer a range of script and style options. Please inquire for pricing if interested in custom calligraphy. We can also print customer-supplied calligraphy art files.
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Price Quotes
We are happy to assist you with custom pricing. Fill out our request a quote form and feel free to email us with additional questions at custom@oblationpapers.com. Pricing for quantities over 500 is available upon inquiry.
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Digital Proofs
The first set of proofs is $10 and is mandatory. There is no extra charge for 2 versions of the same design (small changes). Each additional set of proofs is $10. An emailed confirmation of receipt should be expected within one business day of placing your custom letterpress order. Digital proofs are generally provided via email within four business days. Please keep in mind that color proofs must not be used as a reference for the ink colors.
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Order Timeline
Orders will be shipped approximately two weeks from the date of final proof approval. An emailed approval confirmation should be expected within one business day of digital proof approval. Large handmade paper orders may require up to three weeks due to the papermaking process. Please see pricing for shipping rates.
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Rush Service
Rush orders ship five business days after final proof approval for an additional 25% surcharge on the order total. Please see pricing for shipping rates. Rush service is not available for foil orders due to the plate making process. Rush service is not available for full ink floods, custom dies, custom paper, ink or foil colors, or large handmade paper orders.
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Pre-shipped Envelopes
Printed envelopes can be provided in advance of the rest of the printed suite for a fee of $95 ($50 for blank envelopes), plus the cost of shipping. Once confirmed, the envelopes will ship within five business days. More time may be required for large orders of handmade paper envelopes.
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Shipping
All orders will be shipped ground unless expedited shipping is requested. In addition, each shipped parcel is insured for the full value of its contents. Signatures are required upon receipt for all orders.
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Cancellations
If an order is canceled after a proof has been provided, a $50 cancellation fee will be charged. If an order is canceled after final proof approval, the customer will also be responsible for any work completed.
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Ownership
All designs represented in our portfolio are the property of Oblation Papers & Press and are protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. No portion of the designs may be reproduced without the direct written consent of Oblation Papers & Press. All printed pieces of custom orders may be used as samples or for other marketing materials.
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Our contact information
Telephone: 503.295.5967
custom@oblationpapers.com for general inquiries.
516 NW 12th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209