Letterpress: Christmas Cards 2023

Last year, I went a little overboard with my 2022 Christmas cards. I knew I wanted to do another special one, but I also needed to reign it back in. I designed this cute card to be printed in two passes — one with red ink and one blind.

Originally, I wanted to print to be on a linen paper, but the blind deboss was much better served on 100% cotton. I ran the red through first and then had to do a ton of make ready to get the deepest impression possible on the moon with Santa.

When I say this was a challenge to print, I mean it! I am very happy with the final outcome but the journey to get there was uniquely challenging.

For the outside I opted for brown kraft envelopes to mimic brown paper packages. I found this gorgeous wax seal with a matching reindeer motif. I printed them in red sangria colored wax on each envelope.

The post office had these cute elf stamps this year I put in the corners of each. And I printed them all with my traditional type for the envelopes.

Even though I tried to do less work than last year, I think I ended up somewhat in the same boat. Ideas for 2024 are more than welcome.