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Technical and Customization Options for Letterpress Business Cards
Specification	Available Options
Quantity	250, 500, 1000
Thickness	30PT
Print Size	3.5" x 2"
Card Stock	Smooth White Uncoated
Letterpress Front	None, 1 Color, 2 Colors, 3 Colors
Letterpress Back	None, 1 Color, 2 Colors, 3 Colors

Compliance & Technical Standards for Letterpress Business Cards

Material & Process Compliance

Substrate: Premium uncoated cotton or pulp paper stocks in 32 pt, 40 pt, and 48 pt thicknesses, sourced from FSC-certified mills. Fibers comply with ISO 536 (grammage) and ISO 2470 (brightness) standards.
Printing Method: Traditional letterpress impression using polymer or metal plates. Ink transfer by manual or automated platen press per ISO 12647-1 print reproduction consistency guidelines.
Ink Composition: Oil-based Pantone® or rubber-based inks, mixed to specification and tested for adhesion and opacity under ASTM D3359 and ASTM D2244 ΔE color variation tolerance ≤3.
Edge Painting & Finishing: Hand-painted edges using pigment inks or metallic lacquers compliant with REACH. Die-cutting performed with steel-rule dies conforming to ISO 1101 geometric tolerance standards.
Compliance: All materials RoHS-compliant and manufactured under ISO 14001 environmental management systems.

Dimensional & Build Standards

Attribute	Nominal	Tolerance	Notes
Card Size	3.5″ × 2″ (U.S. Standard)	±0.5 mm	Custom die-cut shapes options available
Stock Thickness	32–48 pt	±5 %	Varies by cotton or premium pulp board selection
Impression Depth	0.15–0.30 mm	±0.05 mm	Controlled by platen pressure calibration
Edge Paint Coverage	Full perimeter	±0.25 mm	Applies to edge-painted variants only
Trim & Registration	±0.5 mm	—	Hand-aligned for precision

Environmental & Safety Disclosures

Material Safety: Paper fibers and inks are non-toxic and compliant with ASTM D4236 labeling standards for art materials.
Environmental Impact: 100 % tree-free cotton stocks available; all inks low-VOC under ASTM D3960.
Recyclability: Fully recyclable and biodegradable; no laminated or coated elements used unless requested.
Handling: Store flat in a cool, dry place between 18–25 °C and 40–55 % RH to prevent curling.

Quality Assurance & Color Management

Press Calibration: Ink density and impression depth calibrated per batch for ΔE2000 < 3 deviation.
Plate Registration: Checked per 50-card interval to ensure consistent impression alignment within ±0.25 mm.
Edge Paint Quality: Each painted batch inspected for even application, no bleed or overspray.
Die-Cut Verification: Shapes measured against master die templates using optical comparators to maintain tolerance.

File Preparation Alignment

Bleed: 3 mm (0.125″) bleed; safe area 3 mm inside trim line.
Resolution: 300 dpi at actual size; raster artwork discouraged for text or logos.
Color Mode: Supply as spot Pantone® or CMYK; indicate letterpress ink colors clearly on separate layers.
Emboss/Deboss Areas: Provide vector path labeled Impression for depth mapping; avoid gradients or drop shadows.
Fonts & Lines: Convert text to outlines; minimum stroke width 0.25 pt for fine letterpress retention.

Legal & Marking

All artwork and imprinting produced under client license. Production identifiers and color mixing codes recorded internally for quality traceability but do not appear on printed cards. Product conforms to ASTM D685 paper durability and ISO 9706 archival permanence standards.

Letterpress Business Cards FAQs

What size and thickness are the letterpress business cards?

They’re standard US 3.5" x 2" on heavyweight 30pt card stock.

What paper stock do you use?

Smooth White Uncoated card stock, uncoated for crisp letterpress impression and easy writing.

How many ink colors can I print per side?

Up to 3 solid spot colors per side (Front and Back can be chosen independently), or leave a side unprinted.

How is pricing structured for colors and quantities?

Base card pricing: 250=$95, 500=$120, 1000=$195. Letterpress color adders per side: 250 qty=$100/color, 500 qty=$160/color, 1000 qty=$250/color.

Can you print photos or gradients with letterpress?

No. Letterpress is for solid spot colors and line art. Photos, gradients, and fine screens are not suitable.

Do you offer double-sided letterpress, and will the impression show through?

Yes, both sides are available. On 30pt stock show-through is minimal, but heavy, overlapping areas may ghost; plan artwork accordingly.

What file setup do you need for best results?

Vector PDF/AI, one file per side, spot colors separated, fonts outlined, 100% solids (no transparency), and include bleed if art runs to the edge.

What does the letterpress impression feel like?

A tactile deboss into the paper. Depth varies by coverage and design; very fine hairlines or tiny type may fill in.

Are these cards pen-friendly?

Yes. The smooth uncoated surface works well with pencil, ballpoint, and most gel inks (avoid slow-drying or very wet inks).

Letterpress Business Cards