WHAT’S A BLIND IMPRESSION?

WHAT’S A BLIND IMPRESSION, ANYWAY?

In letterpress printing, a blind impression refers to printing without ink.

Modern letterpress printing is a form of debossing.* This means that during the printing process, as the ink is applied, the design is pressed into the paper. If you run your fingers along the back of the paper, you will feel bumps from the design on the front. 

A blind impression is achieved by omitting the ink during the printing process. This results in a subtle yet tactile effect, wholly unique to letterpress printing. 

WHAT ARE BLIND IMPRESSIONS GOOD FOR?

This technique is ideal for patterns, illustrated elements, or oversized text. Blind impressions work particularly well on double-thick paper, which allows for a deeper and more pronounced impression.

Inkless impressions are not recommended for small type or intricate details, as these elements may become difficult to read without ink. In that case a light gray ink can provide a similar understated look while maintaining legibility.

An example of the same illustration printed with and without ink

Business cards printed on double-thick paper with a blind impression pattern on the reverse

SO WHAT’S BLIND EMBOSSING? IS IT THE SAME THING AS A BLIND IMPRESSION?

Blind embossing, sometimes called sculptural embossing, is the opposite of debossing. Instead of pressing the design into the paper, blind embossing raises the design above the paper’s surface.

This technique requires two printing plates: one with a raised image and another with a recessed image. These plates work together to create a three-dimensional effect. Like blind impressions, blind embossing is done without ink, relying on the paper’s texture and shadows to define the design.

THAT’S IT!

Do you have any questions related to blind impressions, embossing or debossing? Drop it in the comments below!

* a small point of clarification:

In traditional letterpress printing, an impression—caused by using too much pressure—was considered a mistake. How times have changed! Today, the tactile quality of impressions is a celebrated feature of modern letterpress printing.