We recently received an inquiry from an aunt looking to gift a set of letterpress-printed bookplates as a graduation present. She had already received prints from another printer but unfortunately, was disappointed with the results. Unable to put her finger on what was off, she told us “They’re… flat? Plain, unspecial. They just don’t look like letterpress.” Where was that rich, deep impression that letterpress printing is known for, the tactile quality that gives letterpress its unmistakable character?
This feedback got us thinking. How DO you describe the difference between different types of letterpress impression? After all, the average person has no need to be fluent in the technical print jargon that comes with this centuries-old print process. In this post I’ll be describing the differences between bite and kiss letterpress impressions. You don’t have to be familiar with the formal terminology if you’re able to describe your desired results and expectations to your letterpress printer, who will able to adjust their presses accordingly.
Bite Impression vs. Kiss Impression
The first thing to keep in mind is that letterpress is a method of relief printing. This means that a raised surface (in our case, a letterpress plate) is inked and then pressed into paper, leaving printed artwork behind. → (Read more about our different print methods here!)
When getting the press makeready, we’re able to control how we “pack a punch” — AKA how much pressure is applied. Historically, a “perfect impression” was considered to be a print with no visible indentation on the paper. This is called a KISS IMPRESSION. (Imagine applying your favorite lipstick and giving a lil smooch, leaving behind a “print” of the lipstick color.)
On the other side of the spectrum is a BITE IMPRESSION. This is where we crank the press up with the *intention* to hit the paper hard, achieving a print with a deep, tactile impression. We want more than just transferring the color to a page — we want that texture and dimension!
It’s also worth noting that the depth of impression is influenced by the type of paper being used! Soft, cotton papers take a bite beautifully, while smoother or harder stocks may only allow for a subtle kiss.
At Paper & Honey, we tend to prefer deep bite impressions.
Without that distinct impression, an end print can often be indistinguishable from a digital print — and if you can’t tell the difference, why pay for letterpress? Save your dollars and go with a quick and easy digital reproduction. Letterpress printing is a handmade and manual process, and that’s partly why it’s so special. After cranking the presses, rolling ink over plates, and punching those plates into paper, I *want* to see that visual evidence of printmaking.
Of course, there’s a sweet spot — too much pressure can cause the plate to warp or the paper to tear. That’s why working with an experienced printer matters: we know how to strike that perfect balance between depth and detail.
I love the terms for kiss and bite impressions — they’re so visceral and easy to remember! The next time you’re chatting with your letterpress printer about a project, you’ll be able to specify whether you’re looking for a bite impression (deep indentation) or a traditional kiss impression (little to no visible indentation).
Have a job you’re in need of printing?
You’re in luck — whether you’re in need of design services or have print-ready files, we’d love to hear how we can help you with your letterpress printing.
