Digital Printing Basics

digitally printed wedding invitation by Bride Design

A few weeks ago I posted about the basics of offset lithography printing, the most commonly used high-volume, commercial printing process employed today. As discussed in the article, offset printing shines when used for large print runs, where precise color matching is required or where specialty paper stocks are being used. But what if you only need 100 invites, with just text and line art, printed crisply on standard 70 lb. text weight paper? Then perhaps digital is the right choice for you.

With offset lithography, the printing press needs to be specially set-up to print your job. As you print more and more offset pieces, those set up costs are absorbed, making it more affordable when working in high-volumes. With digital printing, there are little or no setup costs, making this method an excellent choice for low-volume jobs. Little set-up also means quick turnaround times, so if you need your job in a hurry, digital printing generally offers faster delivery. Digital printing also provides easy and accurate proofing, since your proof will be an actual sample of the final printed piece. What you see is exactly what you should be getting in the end.

If your designer is using spot colors to achieve exact color matching, then digital may not be the best option. Digital printing's four-color process (also known as CMYK), is forced to simulate precise colors like those from the Pantone Matching System, by using cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks. Offset lithography and some other printing methods, allow the use of pre-mixed inks in highly targeted colors in addition to the traditional four-color process. That being said, if you are looking simply for affordable four-color printing, digital has the advantage.

For more on digital printing, continue to check our site for additional posts. If you have questions about this or other printing methods please send us an email at stationeryguides@gmail.com. Our expert stationers will answer reader questions on Fridays, and we're always happy to discuss the methods and techniques used to create the stationery and paper products we know and love.

~Erin, Bride Design

Keen Calendars

Here is a selection of cool calendars for 2009 (and one birthday calendar that you can use for several years). I know it's already February but there's no time like the present to start getting organized. Besides where did January go so fast?

Photo Credit: Satsuma Press

Here is a beautiful letterpress calendar by Satsuma Press. The calendar is titled "Pattern + Texture" and was inspired by the artist's love of Japanese textiles. Purchase this lovely here.

Photo Credit: Benjamin Paul

Oh, I think I've inadvertently started a theme. This calendar caught my eye because I love letterpress and I love Koi. Each month features a different hand drawn illustration of koi. Purchase this calendar here.

Photo Credit: Rock Scissor Paper

I love this woodgrain birthday calendar from Rock Scissor Paper. What a fantastic idea to keep all those special days organized and in one place. Click here to purchase this one.

-dana [shimmer studio]

Wrapped in Loveliness

One of the things I love about bridal showers are the perfectly wrapped boxes of loveliness waiting to be opened by the bride-to-be (or the nearlywed couple if it happens to be a couple shower!).

But, these papers can bring such wonderful accents to basic party decor, so why stop at just the pretty boxes? Gift wraps are perfect for other uses to extend the look (and you can upcycle for a green touch!).


They can be used as:

1) Napkin Rings (a great way to find a second purpose for odd-shaped papers)
2) Plate decor (or cupcake wrappers)
3) Confetti (gently strewn about tables for a "snow dust" affect)
4) Party Streamers (hang from the ceilings or tie to round paper lanterns!)
5) Gift Packaging Toppers (slice the leftover papers into thin strips and make pompoms to top a gift!)

What's even better is that you don't have to select from designs in traditional colors or designs anymore, there are a wonderful variety of designs to select from. Choosing a certain design as an accent can add just the right touch of personality — whether the bride-to-be is crazy about the color orange or a couple shower where the groom-to-be wouldn't mind opening a couple of his own gifts, too!

--Cathe (Feterie)

(Images courtesy of Sarah Marie, Feterie, and Funnel Paper Goods)

Copyright 101

We all know the word copyright and we all know the little c in the circle (©) stands for copyright but do we actually know what a copyright really is and what that little symbol really means? It seems like today with computers and with the internet copyright gets confused and often times misunderstood, if not simply forgotten. A good understanding of copyright is more important than ever.
The US Government defines copyright as the following: "Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works." What this means is that the instant an artist creates a work (visual, performance, or written) that work is copyrighted and is legally owned by the artist. If someone finds an illustration or picture they would like to use for a project they must pay, or get permission from, the artist or the person that owns the copyright to use the work. Only the artist can sell the rights to use or to purchase their work. The artist may sell their artwork, or the rights to use the work for a specific use or for a specific amount of time (or both).

If a person asks another artist to recreate a piece of artwork (or if they do it themselves) it is considered a copyright infringement. There is a fine line between inspired by and out-and-out stealing. If you can identify any piece of the new art as being derived from the original inspiration it could be considered a copyright infringement.

If you love a piece of artwork I encourage you to contact the original artist and work with them.

When working with royalty-free clip art or rights managed stock art and photography read the legal section to make sure the artwork is being used as it was licensed. All reputable stock art companies will have a legal section that will go over usage rights of purchased or downloaded art.

Copyright laws protect artists and help artists make a living! Please help keep artists working and successful! Thank you.

For more information on copyright laws visit www.copyright.gov.

Letterpress Love

Many of you may be just starting your search for wedding stationery.  Taking a look at this site and other online alternatives is a natural first step.  One of the tough parts about an online search of letterpress is that it is very difficult to truly convey the luxurious texture and impression you get with letterpress printing.  But thanks to my talented photographer friend Liora Kuttler, I have some great photographs of the impression you get with letterpress invitations.  Hopefully, you can see why I have fallen in love with this ancient art.  So, without further ado, here are some great impressions.