By Jennifer Steffy Swanson
Like photography, painting or sculpture, letterpress is an art form. The process involves ink, movable type, a keen eye and a skilled hand. The results are whimsical, tactile, one-of-a-kind works of art as the letters are literally pressed (get it?) into the paper. Letterpress invitations can be completely customized and can incorporate different ink colors, typefaces and illustrations. If you’re as taken with letterpress as we are, then there are two letterpress studios in northern Rhode Island you should check out: Ladyfingers Letterpress in Pawtucket, and Spoon and Sailor in Central Falls. At Ladyfingers Letterpress, Morgan Calderini and Arley-Rose Torsone combine hand-drawn letterforms and custom illustrations with typeset font. At Spoon and Sailor, Elana combines imagery from old engravings with typeset fonts. Two studios, endless possibilities for handmade, custom invites!
(Pictured, clockwise from left: Typographic script design with ribbon, Ladyfingers Letterpress; typographic script on white paper, Spoon and Sailor; embellished banner motif, Spoon and Sailor; vintage etching invitation, Spoon and Sailor.)