Lilywillow provides letterpress, offset, and digital printing options for personalized designs.  The printing method of a particular design appears throughout the website and is noted under each design description. Click here to download an Adobe PDF containing definitions for the Adobe PDF containing definitions for the Lilywillow Printing Methods.

Letterpress:

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

Offset Lithography:

The most prolific printing method today, lithography involves the transfer of an inked impression from a thin metal plate to paper.  The result is a smooth, flat print instead of a raised or indented impression, and offset lithography is typically one of the fastest, most versatile, and lease expensive printing methods available.

Digital Printing:

Great advancements have occurred with digital printing technology over the past few years and the result is high resolution/high quality printing from digitally rendered files.  The design concept is sent directly to the printer, color options are endless, the result is virtually identical to offset lithography, and the result appears as a flat image upon the paper.

For Custom Design Projects Only:

Engraving:

Commonly Referred to as the “traditional” or “finest” method of printing because of the level of detail it captures.  Engraving involves etching the design and text into a metal plate called a die.  The paper is set face down on the inked plate and is printed by the application of pressure to the back of the sheet.  This creates a raised image on the front and an indention or “bruising” on the back, the standard and desired feature of engraving.  Ink color options are limited, higher-end papers are required, printing times are typically much longer, and engraving is typically the most expensive printing method available.

Thermography:

Producing a similar look as engraving, thermography is a printing method that creates a raised image by applying a resinous powder over flat printed ink.  The powder is melted to raise the lettering and artwork but no indention is made to the back of the paper.  The method additionally produces a different look because the ink dries shiny instead of the matte engraving provides.