OsloPress

For the most part, the envelopes you see on our website are shown in various shades of white or cream.  Please don’t let this fool you though – we gladly offer colored envelopes as well.  We have several favorite manufacturers that we like to use, so please let us know if there is a color you are interested in and we will let you know what is available.  Typically when working with a client, we will send them samples of the color they are looking for.  This enables them to see their color options as well as feel the paper.  If requested, we will custom mix the ink so that it matches the selected envelopes.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if interested in using colored envelopes:

• Currently we only offer letterpress printing.  Letterpress is well-suited to printing dark colors on light paper.  However, dark paper colors can have the tendency to show through the printed ink a little bit.  We can still print a light color on dark paper, but keep in mind that letterpress printing white ink  onto dark paper may not produce as crisp of a white as other printing methods.
• The US Postal Service prefers the use of white or pastel colored envelopes.  Using a dark ink on light paper insures optimum contrast which is ideal for use with their optical readers/scanners.  Basically, sticking to lighter colors makes their jobs a little easier.
• Consider using labels to dress up your dark envelopes.  Labels don’t have to be boring or ugly – we can design and print them for you so that they will coordinate with the rest of your stationery.
• Some envelope manufacturers offer different flap designs.  You may or may not have a choice with a particular color, but we will certainly let you know what the options are.

Need more information on available envelopes or recommended ink colors?  Please don’t hesitate to ask!

What you see: butterfly reply card in pearl white cotton paper, chocolate and lilac ink, lilac envelope

Perhaps this is a bit dark and moody for a February post – but these are the images I keep coming back to.

Clockwise from top left:   1. photo titled “Weathered” by Jennifer Dickerson Photography – I love the warm glow in this image.   2. powdered sugar dress by sarahseven – The dress is ethereal, plus there is nothing like coming home and taking your shoes off.   3. photo by Steven Brisson Photography – I’ve always preferred old books to new – something about the yellowed pages plus the occasional note written in the margin.   4. pottery by Emile Henry (via the kitchn) – I have a weakness for rustic farmhouse tables.   5. photo titled “The Journey Awaits” by Honeytree Photography – Can I  take a walk here?   6. skeleton keys available from Ashbury Lane Art & Design – I love the patina.   7. photo by Honey & Jam Photography – Warm drink on a cold night – need I say more?   8. photo titled “Gossamer” by Alicia Bock Photography – So delicate.

Happy Monday everyone! As part of keeping this blog regularly updated (yes, really, multiple posts in a month – let alone a week), I will be posting more inspiration boards like this one on a monthly basis. Enjoy!

Clockwise from top left:   1. silver vine earrings from MD Sparks – I love the little hint of texture and the asymmetrical placement of the leaves.    2. Diana wedding gown by Vera Wang -  It’s not very often that I stumble across a wedding dress that I absolutely adore, but this one has definitely tugged on my heartstrings.   3. silk bouqet sash from J. Crew – Feminine yet not too frilly.   4. photo titled “Softly” by Lori H. – Nice dreamy atmosphere…   5. satin stack rings from Stormy Sky – I’ve always had a soft spot for hammered silver.   6. painting titled “The White Calico Flower” by Georgia O’Keeffe,  as seen here – I’m nearing the end of a biography on O’Keeffe that I have been reading, so it’s only natural that she is on my mind.

by sunlit fields, a gentle breeze across the face, and the sight of wildflowers still in bloom:

and the credit goes to (clockwise from top left):   curly willow and balsa wood bouquet by jl designs/photo by ahs photography, dandelions yellow fabric by saffron craig,  vintage print of a dandelion available through holcroft, wedding gown by morgan boszilkov of natural bridals/photo via utterly engaged, painting titled “joy to the land” by gwensart, photo of dandelion titled “sweet dreams” by maleah matthews

Green is a favorite color around here and is a common request when it comes to ink selection.  While my personal favorites tend to be greens with more yellow in them, I fell in love when this color came off the press.  And what color might this new love be?  That would be Pantone 363.  The bride and groom selected this custom blended green ink along with bright white cotton paper and cherry wood invites.  A perfect combination, in my opinion.

As mentioned in previous posts, we have some new designs on the way. For the most part, all the details are finalized. Now begins the next step: producing samples and getting the photos ready for the website. Yes, we know we could just plop some renderings up and call it a day, but well, we just don’t find this acceptable. We must have photos! And apparently, we like making more work for ourselves.

So now begins the brain storming process… we get to select colors and wood species for each design that we feel will make them look that much better. This is exciting to me, as I have spent quite a bit of time staring at, for the most part, black and white illustrations on my monitor. Truth be told, I always visualize color combinations as I work on something, but this is no comparison to seeing the finished product.

Selecting the ink colors always involves flipping through the handy Pantone formula guide. I love it when the color I have been visualizing is there in front of me. Other times, sadly, it is nowhere to be found. In any case, decisions have to be made and the show must go on. We’ll keep you updated and hopefully update the blog with a sneak peek or two in the next couple of weeks.

Speaking of colors, I do want to remind everyone that custom blended ink colors are always an option. If you don’t see the right color listed on our process page, please let us know what you are looking for! Whether you send us a fabric sample to work with, or you send me to the grocery store in search of strawberry Mentos pink (yum), we will always do our best to accommodate your wishes.

Now, if only we can hurry this process up a bit…