Lithography or Offset Printing
(flat printing)

Most Select Design Invitations are printed with lithography, or flat printing. This is what most people
are accustomed to seeing on a majority of printed pieces, such as brochures, greeting cards, and
invitations. This is the least costly professional printing method.

Thermography
(raised printing)

Thermography is one type of raised printing. It was designed to be an economical version of engraved
printing and is slightly waxy to the touch. It is very common on invitations today because it is the least
costly method of raised printing.

Engraving
(raised printing)

Engraving is a second type of raised printing and is one of the traditional methods for printing invitations.
Engraving can hold much greater detail and has sharper edges than thermography. It is completely opaque
and is the only method for printing a light colored ink on a dark colored paper. It is also more costly to print
than lithography and thermography.

Letterpress
(depressed printing)

Letterpress is the second of the traditional methods for printing invitations. Letterpress is often printed using
hand-run presses, particularly when printing small quantities such as those needed for invitations. It tends
to have crisp edges, somewhat mottled ink coverage, and can be slightly depressed or debossed into the
paper, giving it much of its characteristic rustic charm. Similar to engraving, letterpress is a more costly
printing method than lithography or thermography.

Foil Stamping
(metallic printing)

Foil stamping is the process of applying colored foil to paper to achieve opaque, shiny, metallic printing.
Many people are familiar with foil stamping because of its extensive use on greeting cards. Foil stamping
is effective for printing light colored metallic type on a dark colored paper. It is similar in pricing to engraving
and letterpress.

Digital Printing
(flat printing)

Digital printing mimics lithography. It is cost-effective for items that are needed in small quantities, items
that require full-color printing, or when environmental considerations are of concern. It has a slightly glossy
sheen to it.