FAQ —

Popular questions we receive during a collaborations: 

Q: DO YOU HAVE MINIMUMS?
A: We don’t have minimums.

Q: WHAT TYPE OF PRINTING DO YOU OFFER?
A: Though we specialize in letterpress printing and foil stamping we realize these are not the techniques for every project. We perform digital printing in-house and outsource some of this option to our trusted local partners.

Q: WHAT IS LETTERPRESS?
A: Letterpress printing is a form of printing where the plate with a relief design is pressed into the paper, leaving an impression in the paper. Each card is printed individually, one color at a time.

Q: WHAT IS FOIL STAMPING?
A: Foil stamping is a similar process to letterpress, but the die and base are heated so that when a roll of foil (instead of ink) passes over the relief die and connects with the paper, where the design is, are left behind in the color of the foil used. Foil colors are bright and shiny, usually, golds, silvers and coppers.

Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PRINTING?
A: Specialty printing is not fast printing, that said, the timeline is greatly influenced by the details. Once the final proofs are approved via digital PDF, generally allow 10 to 14 business days for the ordering of materials, printing and finishing.

Q: HOW DOES YOUR PRICING WORK FOR SPECIALTY PRINTING?
A: The price dependents on the quantity, how many ink colors, the paper choice and if there are additional finishing or assembly required. We can use your design files or work with ideas you have to put together an estimate.

Q: CAN YOU PRINT A DESIGN I ALREADY HAVE?
A: Yes, we can work with your design. We’d gladly review your design - email us at info@tractionpress.com. You’d be a few steps ahead if you follow these specs: PDF, .ai, or .eps files created in Illustrator or PDF, .indd, .idml files created in InDesign. Images should be vector-based or high quality TIFFs in black (600dpi). Outline the type or include any font/s. Extremely small or fine/thin type or imagery with less than a .25 stroke will not be able to be printed.

Q: DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY OWN DESIGN OR CAN YOU HELP WITH DESIGN?
A: Many of our clients have their design ready to go, but if you don’t have a design ready we can design something for you. Just send a few examples of things you like to info@tractionpress.com and we’ll get you a few options to look at. Our design fees start at $100.

Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LETTERPRESS, EMBOSSING AND DEBOSSING?
A: Letterpress printing leaves an impression in the paper by pressing a relief plate into the paper. An impression can be made with or without ink. Inkless impressions leave a colorless, or “blind” impression. Embossing produces a raised image by pressing paper between a male and female die, leaving the reverse reading debossed on the opposite side. Debossing produces a depressed image by pressing paper between a male and female die, leaving the reverse reading embossed on the opposite side. FAQs

Q: CAN YOU PRINT DOUBLE-SIDED?
A: Letterpress printing process involves pressing an inked, raised surface of a plate into the paper, resulting in a debossed impression. There is a bit of show through from the front to the back of the cards. There will be a slight bit of show through on the thinner stock and less on heavier stock.

Q: CAN YOU PRINT LARGE SOLID AREAS OF COLOR?
A: Yes, however, it’s not ideal for letterpress printing, as the consistency is difficult to maintain from one piece to the other and may have a “waetherly” appearance, where the fibers of the paper show through the color. This effect depends on type and tone of paper and the color of the ink. Letterpress inks do not print opaque and this characteristic is likely to come out when printing larger solid areas. Also, large solid areas often need to be printed twice to get the coverage and this increases the cost.

Q: WHAT INK COLORS ARE AVAILABLE?
A: We use the Pantone Solid Uncoated Guide to mix the inks. Fluorescent inks are available.

• METALLIC INKS: Metallic letterpress inks - Gold, Copper, and Silver will print matte.
  
• LIGHT INKS: Letterpress printing works best with darker inks on lighter paper. If you are looking to use a very dark paper, such as navy or black, the light colored ink will not show up well, since letterpress inks are not completely opaque. The option is to print the design with foil.
  
• BLIND/TINTED DEBOSS PRINTING: We can print blind (no ink) or with a transparent ink. This looks great for design accents like a subtle effect with imagery or on larger type.
  

Q: WHAT IS THE MINIMUM FONT SIZE I CAN USE?
A: Minimum font size for letterpress: 6 pt for most fonts. The letterpress plates do not hold any thin, fine or light fonts less than a .25 stroke. Minimum font size for foil stamping: 8 to 9 pt for most fonts.

Q: WHAT PAPERS DO YOU PRINT ON?
A: For letterpress we mostly use Lettra in the 110lb and 220lb cover weight and Savoy Reich in the 118lb, 184lb and 236lb cover weight. These are cotton papers with a slight texture. Other papers like Colorplan, French Paper Company, Gmund, Strathmore are available.

Q: DO YOU DO ENVELOPE ADDRESSING?
A: We can print your return addresses onto envelope flaps and your mailing address on response envelopes. We do not, however, print individual recipient addresses onto envelopes. For this, there are printers we recommend in Los Angeles Area for digital addressing on your envelopes and we’re happy to help you coordinate with them.

Q: WHEN IS THE PAYMENT DUE?
A: We require payment in full before beginning your project. We accept checks and all major credit cards.