I made a series of letter pressed poems using a grant from the Ontario Arts Council in 2022. These handmade artworks would be great word art for your walls.

Word Art for Your Walls

I currently do not have these artworks listed on my website. If you are interested in purchasing one of these artworks, please fill out the contact form below. They will be shipped unframed and can be shipped anywhere in the world free shipping in Canada and $9.99 for the United States.

You can read more about my process and my experience creating these word art works by clicking here.

Contact me by filling out the contact form below if you are interested in purchasing one of these.

They are 8.5”x11” made on handmade paper made from recycled roadmaps and letterpress with a dark brown ink.

What is Letterpress Printing?

Letterpress printing is a traditional relief printing process where raised surfaces—typically metal or wood type and engraved plates—are inked and pressed into paper to create an impression. One of the defining characteristics of letterpress is the tactile quality it leaves behind: a subtle deboss or indentation that gives the printed piece a rich, handmade feel. Letterpress paper is usually soft, thick, and highly absorbent, allowing it to capture both the ink and the impression clearly. Cotton-based papers are especially popular because they are durable and compress beautifully under pressure, making them ideal for wedding invitations, art prints, and fine stationery.

Origins of the Letterpress Process

The origins of letterpress can be traced back to ancient relief printing techniques, but it became widely established in the mid-15th century with the invention of the movable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany. His innovation revolutionized the spread of information, making books more accessible and affordable than ever before. Gutenberg’s process used individual metal letters arranged into pages, inked, and pressed onto paper using a mechanical press. This method remained the dominant form of printing in Europe for centuries and played a key role in the dissemination of literature, scientific knowledge, and ideas during periods like the Renaissance.

The Letterpress Printing Process

The letterpress process begins by setting type or preparing a plate with the desired design. This raised surface is then coated with a thin, even layer of ink using rollers. Once inked, the plate is pressed firmly into the paper using a press—either a traditional hand-operated press or a modern motorized one. The pressure transfers both the ink and a slight impression into the paper, creating that signature textured finish. Printers often run multiple passes for different colours, carefully aligning each layer. Today, while digital printing is more common, letterpress has seen a revival among artists and designers who value its craftsmanship, texture, and timeless aesthetic.