When was the last time you wrote a handwritten note, put a stamp on it and dropped it in the mail?

My client has earned himself a new nickname: Monarch Mark. He doesn't know it yet until he reads this post maybe. Reviving the essence of writing and receiving something handwritten, he chose a monarch size page and a matching envelope. The sheets are heavier than a usual 20lb paper so when the recipient receives it, they'll feel the nice paper weight too.

How big is a Monarch size sheet? Glad you asked. It's slightly smaller than a letter-sized sheet at 7.25" x 10.5". Perfect for a decent note bigger than a simple "thank you" on a notecard, but still smaller than a normal sheet. It's quite classy with an executive touch.

The specs:

Sheet:
32lb Environment by Neenah Paper
Natural White

Envelope:
25% Cotton with a flat flap by Strathmore
Natural White 

This was a fun project outside the usual scope of letterpress. Usually letterpress and wedding go together, but here, letterpress with the talented wedding photographer Caroline Tran coalesce for a special project, a customized CD sleeve almost too nice to give away. Even I had a hard time parting with them.

The specs:

• 220 Lettra paper
• Edge painted
• 1 color with blind debossing
• sealed with a vellum band with the same quilt printed on white ink. (The ink sheen on the vellum is one of my favorite subtleties. You can hardly notice it but it's there.)

I used to like papyrus, but their aesthetic has gone off the deep end. Maybe it's me, not them. These days it's hard to buy greeting cards when you can crank them out yourself.

See what happens when I plan it ahead of time? I can make my own and a few more to spare! I just wish I was better at the planning ahead part instead of the usual method of scrounging for a card on the day of a friend's event. Yep, guilty of that one. Good thing I have a few these to spare!

This is no ordinary CD sleeve that you buy at an office supply shop. This project in the works is for a local wedding photographer. I'm guessing this sleeve with a disk of photos will be what she gives to her clients after a shoot. I'm hoping the finished product will have that instant "wow" factor. Caroline approached me with the idea and I couldn't resist. Who thinks of letterpressing a CD sleeve? It's a great idea and I've never seen it done. Maybe it'll be a new trend in the wedding scene. 

It's got a long way to go. It needs 2 more runs through the Vandercook, and soon after I'll be scoring and folding. Almost there...I think. There will be pictures posted as soon as it's complete