Make an impression with your wedding invitations

The printing technique is centuries old - inked plates pressed into paper - but many of today's brides appreciate both the look and the craft of letterpress invitations.

"People are trending back to a handmade artisan experience," says Samantha Finigan, co-owner with Whitney Swaffield of Gus & Ruby Letterpress in Portsmouth (gusandruby.com).

Whitney hand-feeds paper into an antique press, circa 1896, to create invitations, save-the-dates and other wedding materials one by one. A pillowy paper is used to create the most relief for the letters.

"You can feel the difference when you hold it," Samantha says. "It's a tactile experience. We hear brides say, 'Oh, I want this."

The inks - all soy-based- are hand-mixed. The paper is 100 percent reclaimed cotton.

For more New Hampshire invitation vendors, visit our wedding resource guide.