Hello printmaker internet friends!
I’m a teaching assistant to a letterpress class this semester & I’m putting together a list of paper recommendations for the students. If you know, from experience, any papers that respond well to letterpress please tell me! Below the cut is what I have written so far.
Generally, thick, soft , cotton-y but cardstock and other low end papers can be used. Ask yourself how a paper will feel when cut to size, espcially for small things like business cards.
80lb minimum. 100lb is where you start to see emboss.
Smooth finishes work better for printing solids.
INTENDED FOR LETTERPRESS
Crane Lettra is infamous as a letterpress paper. Gets nice impression, has a nice finish.
Riche Savoy is made just for letterpress, looks similar to Lettra but scores better.
Holyoke is thicker than Crane Lettra 110 but cheaper than Crane Lettra 220
Strathmore is competition for Crane but cheaper, put a second sheet behind for a soft, deep impression
SHINY, SPARKLY
Star Dream is good
Essa sucks for letterpress
THICK
2ply museum board NOT 4ply because the board doesn’t want to wrap around the cylinder
Watercolor papers have a lot of sizing; work better with photopolymer
COLORS
Legion’s Sorbet line comes in acid colors
Mohawk Via
Carnival Smartt Paper
MISCELLANEOUS
Somerset Satin - so soft
