We are proud to share that we took home three awards in the Foil & Specialty Effects Association’s (FSEA) 32nd Annual Gold Leaf Awards Competition, including Best Use of Letterpress! The FSEA is a resource for foil stamping, embossing, specialty coatings, laminates, laser cutting, and other related techniques. This organization supports the industry, promoting growth and education. Each year, the FSEA holds the Gold Leaf Awards. Gold, silver, and bronze are awarded across various categories.

We are fortunate to have taken home three awards. Learn more about these award-winning designs!

Gold Leaf Award for Best Use of Letterpress

Forsythe by Katie Magee is a classic and traditional invitation. All of the text appears in a script font in our wedgewood ink. The invitation is printed on our Bella cotton 3-ply stock. Bella cotton is soft and plush, and still holds a crisp letterpress impression. The 3-ply paper is substantial, allowing our artisan printers to create a deep and luxurious impression. 

Forsythe Specifications

• letterpress inks: wedgewood (invitation + tag) + powder blue (invitation) 
• foil stamping: champagne matte (envelope)
• embossing: champagne matte (tag)
• fonts: diplomatic script + totf monogram
• papers: bella cotton white 3-ply (invitation) + bella cotton white 1-ply (tag + mounting card)
• invite size: f-8 (tier 3)
• mounting card size: custom cut 4.81 x 6.44 (tier 2)
• tag size: 4 x 4.13 (tier 1)
• diecut style: bf-124 (tag)
• bevel: 45º
• foil edging: champagne matte
• liner: forsythe pattern in champagne matte on linen velvet
• silk ribbon: peach champagne
• envelope: bella cotton white pointed flap
• digital addressing: wedgewood

Silver Leaf Award for Best Use of Foil/Embossing Announcement/Invitation (Creative)

Next up is Vitale by Racheal Bumbolo. This invitation features a stunning and highly detailed blind deboss floral pattern with letterpress printing that overlaps. The invitation slips inside a sleeve made from our midnight velvet. Gold shine foil stamping on the sleeve features floral accents matching the artwork from the invitation, the wedding date, and a thin line border. The combination of gold shine foil on midnight velvet is opulent and beautiful.

Vital Specifications

• letterpress inks: black + blind deboss (invitation)
• foil stamping: gold shine (sleeve)
• fonts: didot + nightfall + nightingale script
• paper: bella cotton white 2-ply (invitation) + midnight velvet (sleeve)
• invite size: f-8 for pocketfold (tier 3)
• sleeve: custom cut: 7.82 x 16.12 flat; 6.06 x 8.06 assembled
• sleeve die-cut style: ps-474
• bevel: 45° franklin
• edge painting: metallic gold
• liner: metallic oyster text
• envelope: bella cotton white pointed flap
• digital addressing: black

Bronze Leaf Award for Best Use of Foil/Embossing Announcement/Invitation (Difficult)

Rounding out this trio is Thea by Alyssa Tidd. This invitation features gold matte foil on our handmade laurel paper. Handmade paper has a subtle texture, but perhaps the standout feature is the natural deckle edge. The feathery edge is the result of the handmade papermaking process. Our handmade paper holds a nice impression, and the thin text is crisp, showcasing a slight glimmer from the foil.

Thea

• letterpress ink: terracotta (tag)
• foil stamping: gold matte (invitation)
• fonts: guyot press + juliette
• paper: bella handmade laurel (invitation) + bella cotton ivory 1-ply (tag)
• card size: f-8 (tier 3)
• tag size: 1.30 x 1.68 (tier 1)
• diecut style: cd-382
• liner: thea floral pattern in gold matte foil + acadia + antique gold + mineral + terracotta
• metallic thread: gold
• envelope: bella cotton ivory
• digital addressing ink: acadia + mineral + terracotta + antique gold

This invitation suite from our dear friends at RSVP in Omaha, Nebraska, features clean lines for a modern, sophisticated look. However, the whimsical liner adds an unexpected yet perfectly coordinated touch of personality. See all the pieces up close and discover what makes this blind embossed wedding invitation so special.

This client’s job is a customization of our Sherah design. At first glance, the final printed piece strongly resembles its inspiration, including the same die-cut shape combined with a beveled and painted edge. This custom wedding invitation swaps out foil stamping for letterpress printing in our vine ink, giving the card a more vibrant and springlike appearance. The bride and groom’s names are still blind embossed. The crisp, raised text provides a stately and sophisticated feel.

The Quinn liner, a fun floral pattern, replaces the art deco-inspired Sherah pattern featured in the original. The liner adds some whimsy while still maintaining the elegance of the invitation. The foil and digital Quinn pattern is repeated on the belly band and pocket panel, along with a few accent flowers on the reply card.

Invitation

• letterpress ink: vine
• emboss: blind
• fonts: daughter script + kiona + ivy mode
• paper: bella smooth cotton white 2-ply
• invite size: f-8
• diecut: franklin
• bevel: 45-degree
• edge paint: vine
• envelope: f-8 white text
• liner: quinn pattern in vine digital + champagne matte
• envelope printing: return and guest address in vine digital
• job #73441

The original suite had a separate pocket card to secure the auxiliary pieces. One version of the customization features a belly band secured to a mounting card, which is adhered to the back of the invitation to hold the reply card (not pictured). A second version of the suite features a pocket panel adhered directly to the back of the invitation. The larger pocket panel secures the rehearsal dinner invitation, details card, and reply card.

Pocket Panel

• foil: champagne matte
• digital: vine
• paper: white text
• size: 6.4235 x 9.5 flat, 5 x 6.5 folded, die-cut card
• finishing: assemble and adhere to the back of the invitation

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation

• digital: vine
• fonts: daughter script + kiona + ivy mode
• paper: metallic gold leaf 2-ply
• size: a-2

Details Card

• invite size: a-6
• digital: vine
• fonts: kiona + ivy mode
• paper: bella smooth cotton white 2-ply

This lovely invitation suite creates the look and feel the couple strove to establish for their wedding. While it does draw heavily from the inspiration design, there are a lot of changes and fun additions that make it completely one-of-a-kind. Reach out to customize your blind embossed wedding invitation or find one of our dealers to see samples in person and receive expert guidance.