Advancing the sustainability of letterpress print production in the 21st century.

Abstract

During the 21st century, letterpress printing saw the start of a revival in its use as a craft. Graphic designers and artists as well as the institutions that taught them are supporting and adopting this antiquated printing technology in hopes of sustaining its history and its unique abilities as a press to add tactility to the print production process. The major threat to the sustainability of letterpress print production and its continued revival as a craft lies in the high costs of outsourcing plates. This study asks the question, can letterpress plates made from non-traditional media help sustain letterpress print production and hypothesizes that the 3D printing and laser engraving technology of the 21st century can produce letterpress plates that are comparable in print quality to the industry standard of photopolymer plates used in letterpress print production.