Paper texture is part of the design. The surface the ink presses into — or the foil bonds to — affects not just the feel but the look of the finished piece. Soft, fibrous cotton papers let you press deeper; smooth papers give sharper edges on fine detail; rough or linen surfaces add visual complexity that shows through even before the printing begins.
We consistently seek out new and interesting papers that work beautifully with the letterpress process. Listed below are some of the textures of papers we keep in stock.
Neenah Cotton / Crane's Lettra
The classic letterpress paper — 100% cotton, soft and fibrous. Accepts a deep impression better than any other stock. Available in white and natural (off-white), in a range of weights.
Keaykolour
A smooth, slightly velvety uncoated paper available in an extensive range of colors. Excellent for white ink printing and foil stamping on colored stock. Pairs beautifully with letterpress components in the same suite.
Wild
A distinctly rough, irregular texture that gives stationery an organic, natural feel. Works especially well for rustic or botanical wedding suites and projects where the paper itself is part of the visual story.
Gmund
A German mill paper known for precision and consistency. Gmund comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, including smooth matte and lightly textured surfaces. Excellent for foil stamping and letterpress alike.
Arturo
A thick, rigid stock with a slightly rough, natural surface reminiscent of handmade paper. The weight and feel of Arturo make it an excellent choice for single-layer business cards and flat note cards that need to make a physical impression before a word is read.
Colorplan
A G.F. Smith paper with a fine, smooth matte surface and an extraordinary range of colors. Colorplan is precise and consistent, making it one of the most reliable papers for foil stamping, white ink, and letterpress on colored stock.
Classic Crest
A smooth, traditional writing and printing paper with a clean surface and excellent ink holdout. Often used for correspondence stationery and note cards where legibility and a clean presentation are the priority.
Mohawk Superfine
A very smooth, fine-grained surface — one of the smoothest uncoated papers available. Mohawk Superfine holds fine lines and small type with precision, making it a good choice for projects where detail resolution matters most.
Not sure which paper is right for your project?
The best choice depends on your printing technique, color palette, and the feel you're going for. Cotton papers work best for a deep letterpress impression; smooth papers work best for fine detail and foil; colored papers open up white ink and foil combinations. We can help you choose. Request a quote and tell us what you're working on.