Why Letterpress Costs What It Does (and Why It’s Worth It)

When you request a quote from Old North State Press, you’re not just asking for ink on paper — you’re asking for a piece of timeless craftsmanship. We want to be transparent about what goes into letterpress printing, because the process is different from modern digital printing and that difference is exactly what makes it so special.

The Craft Behind the Cost

1. Every job starts with custom plates
Unlike digital printing, letterpress requires us to create a printing plate for your specific design. Whether it’s a wedding invitation suite or a set of business cards, the plate is what allows us to press your design deeply into the paper. Each color and design element requires its own plate, setup, and press run.

2. Skilled hands, historic machines
Our vintage presses are 60 - 70 years old and built to last generations — but they only come to life through the hands of a trained printer. Every setup, alignment, and impression is adjusted by eye and touch. It’s time-intensive work that requires expertise, but it’s also why every finished piece feels so intentional.

3. Premium paper and finishing
Letterpress shines on thick, cotton papers that hold a deep impression. These papers cost more than standard stocks, but they’re part of what makes the finished piece feel luxurious and memorable. Add techniques like foil stamping, die-cutting, or embossing and you’re layering on additional artistry (and additional press runs).

Why It’s Worth It

For Weddings
Your invitations are the first glimpse your guests will have of your wedding day. Letterpress makes them unforgettable — tactile, elegant, and often cherished as keepsakes. Long after the day has passed, couples tell us their invitations are still displayed in frames or tucked away as heirlooms.

For Businesses
In a world full of flat, digital printing, letterpress helps you stand out. A business card with real texture, a corporate invitation with foil accents, or stationery with weight and presence — these aren’t just printed items, they’re brand statements. They tell your clients and colleagues that details matter to you.

Investment Ranges

We understand that pricing is an important factor when you’re considering your project. While every job is custom, here are some helpful starting points:

• Smaller items (1-color save-the-dates, business cards, note cards): typically start around $250+ for 100

• Wedding suites (invitation, RSVP, details card, envelopes): projects often begin around $1,200+.

Complexity, number of colors, specialty finishes, and quantity all affect the final cost — but you’ll always know up front what to expect before we begin.

More Than Paper

When you choose letterpress, you’re choosing:

• Craftsmanship – every sheet touched and inspected by hand.

• Heritage – printing on vintage presses that have outlasted generations.

• Impact – a tactile impression you can see and feel.

• Memorability – print that people keep, share, and remember.

At Old North State Press, we believe these qualities are worth investing in. If you’re looking for something ordinary, quick, and disposable, letterpress may not be the right fit. But if you want your print to feel special, elevated, and lasting — you’ll find that letterpress is more than worth it.