Lilywillow provides 3 Distinct Printing Options for EVERY design available in the Studio Collection - Digital, Offset Lithography, and Letterpress Printing.

Now you might just be wondering two things...

1. What's the "Big Deal" - What's the difference - it's just paper and ink right?  The customer is mostly-always right but in this case you might just be slightly-sort of wrong - Read More Below.

2. Why is LP+P offering me all these wonderful options?  Because we love what we do and we want every bride, regardless of their stationery budget, to have the opportunity to experience strikingly beautiful wedding invitations first hand. 

So here's the skinny:

DIGITAL PRINTING - Is high resolution/high quality printing from digitally rendered files.  Your invitation design is sent directly to the digital press from the computer (no printing plates), your color options are endless (more than 4+ inks at one time for the same price), the result is close to offset lithography, and the result appears as a flat image upon the paper (no raised or indented feel).

- What is the key difference between digital and offset printing?  Digital inks are "set" or fused to the surface of the paper with a heat source and they will have a slightly "shiny" appearance in direct light. Offset printing allows for inks to soak into the surface of the paper which prevents the "shiny" but also tends to provide a cleaner, denser edge to your fonts and artwork and works best for designs with lots of ink. Offset is required for projects with metallic inks - digital printing does not allow for metallic inks (golds, silver, coppers, etc.).

OFFSET LITHOGRAPHY (Flat Printing) - Still the most prolific printing method today (although digital is getting REALLY close), offset involves the transfer of your text/wording and artwork via ink, from a thin metal plate to the paper.  Each ink color you select requires an additional printing plate - this is why Lilywillow offers 1 and 2 color printing - the more inks you choose, the more plates are required, and then the higher the price.  1 and 2 color offset printing keeps you in the "safe zone." The result is smooth and flat to the surface of the paper (again, no raised or indented feel).

- Why should I consider offset printing if digital printing is the most affordable?  It's absolutely a matter of preference but offset has several benefits to consider.  First, offset is just simply a higher quality method of printing than digital (which we love too, please don't get us wrong).  Your color will be richer and more saturated, your text and imagery will be slightly crisper and cleaner, much heavier papers are available with this printing method, and metallic inks may be used. 

LETTERPRESS PRINTING - Considered a fine art, letterpress was the standard until the onset of offset lithography in the early 1930's.  This process involves applying ink to the surface of raised metal type and artwork and then pressing the metal plate into a thick, soft paper at a controlled rate of pressure.  The image is indented, sitting down into the paper, and results in a unique, elegantly tactile effect.

- Why is Letterpress LP+P's most expensive printing method?  Letterpress is Art.  Each and every piece that comes off press is unique in some way because of the "hands on" component to this method.  There WILL be slight variations in the ink density and coverage, where the plate hits each piece of paper, etc.  This is what makes letterpress and especially a letterpressed wedding invitation suite - completely unique to a bride and groom and their event.  From the design chosen, to the inks, fonts, paper and envelopes, specific layout, wording, and more.  No one, EVER, will have an invitation just like yours with letterpress.