letterpress

[ let-er-pres ]

/ ˈlɛt ərˌprɛs /

noun

the process of printing from letters or type in relief, rather than from intaglio plates or planographically.

matter printed in such a manner.

Chiefly British. printed text or reading matter, as distinguished from illustrations.

adverb

by letterpress: The circular should be printed letterpress, not offset.

adjective

set in letterpress: letterpress work.

Nearby words

Origin of letterpress

First recorded in 1750–60; letter¹ + press¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for letterpress

When we got engaged three years ago, talk of caterers and florists and letterpress invitations occupied us at these gatherings.
When Did "Married Without Children" Become Gauche?|Rachel Shukert|November 15, 2008|DAILY BEAST
The last of the letterpress was issued in 1765, but it was 1772 before the subscribers received the final volumes of the plates.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4|Various
The very best collection of illustrations, but not so trustworthy in letterpress.
The Private Life of the Romans|Harold Whetstone Johnston
We must add that the letterpress is not unworthy of the humour and fidelity of the illustrations.
The Comical Creatures from Wurtemberg|Unknown

The letterpress consists of a dialogue between a man and his wife, wherein the man humorously praises horns.
The Pictorial Press|Mason Jackson
The blurring of letterpress is a defect which often occurs with printing papers made of chemical wood pulp.
The Manufacture of Paper|Robert Walter Sindall

British Dictionary definitions for letterpress

letterpress

/ (ˈlɛtəˌprɛs) /

noun

a method of printing in which ink is transferred from raised surfaces to paper by pressure; relief printing
matter so printed

text matter as distinct from illustrations

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012