I have a design. Where do I start? . . .

Great! Reach out via our online contact form and we will respond via email to recieve your design file. From there, we can discuss and changes need, send pricing, a digital proof, etc. and have the ball rolling in no time!

I don't have a design yet. Where do I start? . . .

Feel free to send us your ideas and we can give you a ballpark quote to give you an idea of what to expect. Contact us for more details.

What is your pricing? . . .

Because there are so many variables with letterpress printing, all pricing is based on final artwork, and all quotes are custom. Keep in mind that each color is run individually, so the more colors and locations, the higher the price. To get a quote, please fill out our online form.

What kind of files do you accept? . . .

Vectored and outlined PDF or Illustrator files are preferred. Crop marks are not required, but are helpful. If multiple colors are present, please separate into layers.

Do I get to see a proof? . . .

A digital proof will be created once final artwork is received. A physical proof or proof check can be provided upon request for an additional fee. Photos of progress can be supplied upon request at no charge as long as no changes are made and production isn’t delayed.

How do I pay? . . .

A 50% deposit is required before an order is moved into production. The remaining balance plus applicable taxes and shipping will be payable upon pickup or prior to shipping.

When will my order be done? Is there a RUSH option? . . .

Standard turnaround time is 2-3 weeks from final artwork approval and 50% downpayment. If you need your order sooner than that, please let me know as soon as possible so I can make any necessary adjustments. Rush orders are available for an additional fee. Expedited shipping fees may apply.

What if I need to cancel my order? . . .

In most cases, if an order is cancelled prior to production, there will be no charge. Once an order has been approved and has moved into production, the 50% down-payment is non-refundable. Additional charges may apply if other special services have been rendered.

Photo Release . . .

Unless specified otherwise, Freshly Squeezed Print Shop reserves the right to photograph and publish any letterpress work on this site, social media, and other outlets.

Copyright . . .

All content and materials on this site are considered the property of Freshly Squeezed Print Shop and may not be used, distributed, or reproduced without our consent.

What kind of ink do you use? can you match Pantone colors? . . .

We primarily print using rubber based ink which isn't always 100% opaque. All ink colors are mixed by hand using the Pantone uncoated formulas. This means that an exact match is not guaranteed, but it will be very close! Keep in mind that different paper stocks will affect color in different ways.

Do you have specialty inks? Metallic? Neon? . . .

We offer both gold and silver ink options as well as neon colors upon request. These are oil based inks so they tend to be more opaque than other colors. Please note that once printed on uncoated stock, most of the shine will be absorbed into the paper. If a true metallic gloss is desired, I would recommend hot foil printing (which we currently do not offer).

What paper do you use? . . .

The most popular letterpress paper is 100% cotton Crane Lettra. We keep it stocked in both 110# as well as the super thick 220# options. These come in a bright florescent or soft pearl white. We also stock a 100# pure white cover option from French Paper, our neighbors down-state, based in Niles, Michigan. This is a great alternative if you're looking for a smoother finish. Other paper is available upon request so please let me know if you would like additional options.

What is a blind impression? . . .

A blind impression is a print without ink, so all you see is the debossed image of the design. This uses the same process as regular inked printing, so it is still priced as a color even though there is no ink.

Can you print light ink on dark paper? . . .

That all depends on the look you are going for. As mentioned earlier, rubber based ink is somewhat transparent, so a light color will appear much darker when printed on dark stock – almost like a shadow.

How small can you print? . . .

Tiny detail can be tough to hold to a plastic plate. Thin lines and small dots (especially punctuation) can often fall away if they are too small or standing alone. I always analyze each design before creating a plate to ensure it meets minimum requirements and will let you know if any changes are necessary.

How large can you print? . . .

In most cases, the largest sheet size is 11″x14″ with a printable area of 8″x10″. This will depend on the artwork itself and how much surface area will be covered.

Solid surface area & full flood printing. . . .

Whenever printing a large area image, there are a couple things to keep in mind. First of all, letterpress is not ideal for this style or printing, and here’s why: Ink coverage is difficult to control, especially with dark ink colors. Achieving 100% coverage requires additional passes on the press which is more time consuming and will be reflected in pricing.

• The image is likely to appear “salty” which basically means you will see some of the paper color/texture showing through the ink.

• There will likely be noticeable ink variation from one print to another. Some will be darker and some will be lighter depending on the exact amount of ink on press at the time of impression. This is also difficult to control.

• The depth of impression will be much less than that of an image with less surface area. The force of the press is distributed over more space which lessens the impression.

This isn’t to say full coverage is impossible, but please note that there are several factors to consider and it’s important to have realistic expectations.

Creasing / Folding . . .

Whenever a fold is required, we first run the paper through a creasing matrix set up on the press. As opposed to scoring (which can tear the fibers of the paper), this presses the paper into a channel with a thin rule and helps to protect the paper from damage.

Die-cutting . . .

Die-cutting is perfect for business cards, invitations, coasters, or any other letterpress ideas you might have! Let me know what size and shape you need and I can send you a quote.

Duplexing . . .

Duplexing is when two or more sheets of paper are adhered together to create a new, thicker custom stock. This is ideal for certain two-sided projects, or if you are just looking for something out of the ordinary!

Edge Painting . . .

Edge painting is exactly what it sounds like! A thin layer of paint is applied to the edge of the paper and is most popular on business cards.Edge Painting is recommended for thicker stocks like our 220# Lettra. The effect is more subtle on thinner stock.The ink used in this process differs from the ink we use on press, therefore an exact match is not possible. We can usually get pretty close, but please ask about our standard edge painting colors.

Envelope Liners . . .

Custom envelope liners are a great way to add a little extra to your invitations or stationery. Options are endless...and fun, too!

Packaging & More! . . .

We have many packaging options from boxes to bags. Please ask for details!