23 February 2008
Dubuque, Iowa, USA

Letterpress printing, invented in Germany in the 1450s, has come back from near extinction in the past few years, as a respite and relief from the monotony of "quick-print" and inkjets. The "first impression" on receiving a unique invitation or announcement on hand-made paper, or with a Japanese tissue overlay, makes a powerful emotional contrast to all the junk mail coming through the door.

Exquisite Letterpress is a boutique press dedicated to "first impressions". According to the company's web site, specialties include wedding or special event invitations, calling cards, personal and executive stationery, all unique, and printed with an obsession for "delicious" papers and "perfectionist" typography.

Owner Peter Fraterdeus brings twenty-five years experience as a typographer, designer, editor, calligrapher and printer to the revival of the letterpress tradition. This background also incorporates a thorough mastery of digital production techniques which are used to produce the 'type-high' photopolymer plates for printing. "The results", he says of the photopolymer process, "are just stunning."

Fraterdeus continues, "We're able to combine the broad range and precision of digital typography with these 19th and early 20th century presses to produce printing which draws from the best of the centuries old tradition. We love the magic of authentic materials like hand-made papers, 19th-century wood type and vintage metal foundry type, and then marry these with the sharpness and clarity of a deep impression in fine rag papers. It's what I like to call 'Slow Print'. There is nothing else like the look and feel of perfect letterpress printing."

Fraterdeus' clients are equally enthusiastic, as one comment on the exquisiteletterpress.com site says, "Peter, I'm speechless. They look better than i could have imagined!" and another writes about her wedding invitations, "I honestly couldn't be happier with everything--the colors, the type, the invitation is just beautiful.... We'll probably need baby announcements in the future (the very distant future) and Christmas cards and all the other fun stationary things a family needs."

Pricing is dependent on the type of project and the paper stock used. The website does offer some typical prices for calling cards (500 for $245) and guidance for wedding invitation planning (from $7-9 per set of Invitation and RSVP with envelopes, for 100 sets). In addition, there is a "Wedding Quote Request Form" which potential clients can use to provide details. A "sampler" of fine papers can be ordered from the web site as well. Designers and event planners may be eligible for an agency discount, depending on the type of projects. All billing is done via the internet, either through PayPal or by credit card.

Exquisite Letterpress welcomes multi-lingual work, and has done printing for clients from Europe, the Far East and Russia. For more information, visit http://slowprint.com, or contact Peter Fraterdeus at exquisiteletterpress@mac.com or +1 815 345 4943.

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Contact: Peter Fraterdeus
exquisiteletterpress@mac.com

Peter Fraterdeus
http://slowprint.com
http://dubuquebookarts.com