Happy Monday everyone!  We’re starting the week off with some adorable invitations for a first birthday party!  Designer Emily Ley sent over the fun images of the invitations for her baby boy Brady’s birthday party, created by Amber of Pitbulls and Posies along with the help of a few other friends.  The silhouette and bow tie concept is just too cute – read below for the full details!
From Emily: Brady’s first birthday party was so much fun. We decided we wanted it to be sweet and young and classic… so we chose a “Southern Picnic†theme and used bow ties to tie the entire affair together.  I knew I wanted the invitations to be tactile and to be Southern and sweet and with the personality of a playful little boy.  I emailed my dear friend Amber Moon, of Pitbulls and Posies, and she went right to work and together we conceptualized the most adorable invitations I’ve honestly ever seen.
I took a photo of Brady and sent it to Amber, she traced his sweet little head and created these little wooden silhouettes which she then screen printed with the party information we designed together. Â She also designed and created box liners to hold the sweet little silhouette.
Meanwhile, my friend McKay of Oatmeal Lace Designs designed and created bows and bow ties for all of Brady’s little friends.  The invitation read “On your neck or in your hair, kindly wear this bow and we’ll see you there!â€
Every morning this week, I’m running a series of guests posts about different printing methods – so if you’ve ever wondered why certain printing methods are best for certain kinds of designs (or cost more than others), this is for you! You can read the previous installments covering digital printing, engraving, screen printing, letterpress printing with antique type, and foil stamping all right here. Today, the talented team at Egg Press is here to talk about the technique known as die-cutting, which they use to produce unique shapes, edges, and message windows in greeting cards and other stationery design elements.
What is Die Cutting?
Die-cutting is a process used in many different industries to cut a thin flat material (in our case, paper) into a specific shape using a steel cutting die. It can be used to punch out a decorative shape or pattern to incorporate within a larger piece, or it can be used to create the main shape of an object by cutting the entire sheet of paper in an distinct/designed way. More simply put: for us it’s way of making a hole in paper in a desired shape using the same presses that we use for letterpress printing.
Like letterpress, a die-cut element draws attention to the 3D nature of paper and the character of the material itself. We mostly use die-cutting as a feature – taking an industrial process and turning it into a design element. As a letterpress print shop, here are some common ways we use die-cutting:
to create die-cut windows for messages on greeting cards
to create a unique shaped greeting card (examples include heart die-cuts, scallops, mini-paper sculptures)
as a design element in one of our new wedding suites
to create die-cut coasters, hang tags, and rounded corners on business cards for clients
to make the boxes in which our cards are packaged
The Printing Process
The process of die-cutting is easy for us as letterpress printers, as the set-up is similar to letterpress printing. Instead of a type-high printing plate we use a type high wood mounted steel cutting die. The shape of the cutting die is often something we’ve designed and ordered from our local die-makers. Instead of tympan paper and packing (used to control the impression when printing), we use a sheet of metal on the press bed giving the die a hard surface to cut against.
The first few steps are essentially the same as letterpress printing, although since we’re not using ink we’re always sure to remove the rollers from the press before we start. We don’t want the dies to damage our rubber rollers!
Next, we attach metal plate/backing onto the press bed by locking the die into the chase and inserting the chase into the press. Then we’re ready to turn on the press and make a cut.
Pop out the cut shape (paper is still taped to press bed). Slide your mock-up proof underneath – align your mock up with the cut sample – hold in place. Make any necessary adjustments, start cutting, and enjoy the confetti!
Tips + Advice
Though die-cutting can produce unique results, it’s not for every print job. This is why it’s not very commonly used, and why it can be so distinctive. A die-cut can add a decorative element or a functional component to a design. For stationery or invitations, creating a die-cut silhouette for your suite may add interest and a vintage feel. Using a small punch-out within the invitation as a motif can be a nice touch (in this case, a modern feel). A functional die-cut might be something like a half-moon thumb hole on an open ended envelope, or a notch system in a folded piece. There are many possibilities for die-cutting, but the medium has limitations.
Complicated shapes or patterns may not work (ask your printer or die-maker). There is a minimum size for die-cut elements. The maximum size of the die-cut will depend on the capability of the press you are using.
Paper can affect the outcome – this is something to consider when choosing your paper or choosing to use a die-cut element. In our experience, thinner paper has less resistance and seems to cut more cleanly while thicker stock can yield mushy edges. Cotton paper can leave a ragged edge. Finally, when mailing something with a die-cut element it’s a good policy to mail it in an envelope for protection. It might not be a good choice for a postcard mailer or rsvp card.
Happy Friday everyone!  This week started off with our first real snowfall here in DC!  Sadly, the snow didn’t stick around and we’re back to rain (boo!).  At least the rain has given me an excuse to spend more time indoors, particularly with our rescue foster cat, Major Tom.  After spending weeks living under the bed, he now finally comes to hang out with us and our other cats in the living room.  Progress!  Next week I’m heading to Salt Lake City for Alt Summit – I’m looking forward to seeing old blog friends and meeting new ones!  But in the meantime…
As usual, we have a fun cocktail coming up for you this afternoon, so check back a bit later for the recipe!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday! xoxo
Jackie from 42 Pressed welcomed a little bundle of joy – a daughter named Riley Magnolia – back in June, and she created these completely adorable letterpress announcements to share Riley’s arrival with friends and family.  Jackie mixed Riley’s tiny baby silhouette with playful type to create the perfect balance of whimsy and beauty in these announcements.
From Jackie: I wanted Riley’s announcement to be playful and fun, but still be really beautiful. Â I have been obsessed with silhouettes lately. Â I have thought that Riley has the sweetest silhouette since the moment I laid eyes on her, so I knew I wanted to do a silhouette birth announcement. Â I am not a huge fan of photographs in birth announcements, so I thought I would photograph her profile and then go into illustrator and outline her silhouette in lieu of an actual photograph.
I played around with type to convey the sense of playfulness and fun that I wanted in the design. Â The typeface used for Riley’s first name is playful, but I offset it with a more dignified and timeless script typeface for her middle name. Â I always love to pair opposites with opposites, it’s always been a big part of my design style.
My oh my, I’m seriously in love with these save the dates. Created by Sarah of August Blume, Beth and Michael’s modern and whimsical save the dates combine beautiful lettering from Feast Calligraphy, chevron stripes, a fun interactive layout, and cut-out details. So cute!
From Sarah: I had the pleasure of designing a save the date card (and getting extra creative) for photographer Beth Morgan and her beau, Michael, for their spring 2012 wedding.  With a palette of teal, plum, fuchsia & slate (and the occasional red heart), we mixed their “Mississippi is for Lovers” theme with custom silhouettes and a muted chevron pattern.
We wanted a unique, interactive save the date to set the tone for their April wedding and to get guests excited about traveling to the South.  The couple met and fell in love in Mississippi so we included little-known-facts about the couple and their state on the back of the trifold card with a teal watercolor background.
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The last panel features a mini glassine envelope holding a hang tag so guests can mark their calendar! Â The calligraphy was penned by the very talented Alissa of Feast Calligraphy. Â The cards were digitally printed on solar white cover stock and each Mississippi was individually cut using my Silhouette Cameo.
Check out the Designer Rolodex for more talÂented wedÂding inviÂtaÂtion designÂers and the save the date gallery for more beauÂtiÂful cusÂtom save the dates!
