letterpress

L1E1T1T1E1R1P3R1E1S1S1
US/ˈlɛtɚˌpɹɛs/

noun

The printing process in which ink is applied to the top surface of a raised image area, which is then pressed against paper to transfer the image.

Similar
relief printing
UncommonScrabble 13
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Meanings

nounletterpress (countable and uncountable, plural letterpresses)

plural letterpresses

  1. countableuncountablemediaThe printing process in which ink is applied to the top surface of a raised image area, which is then pressed against paper to transfer the image.
  2. countableuncountablemediaPrinting directly from type, in distinction from printing from plates.
  3. countableuncountablemediaA machine used for such printing.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounprinting from a plate with raised characters

Similar
relief printing
Broader
printingprinting process
Also see
relief printing

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From letter + press.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 活版印刷机, 活版印刷
  • 活版印刷机 (huóbǎn yìnshuājī)machine
  • 活版印刷 (huóbǎn yìnshuā)printing process
Czech knihtisk, knihtisk
  • knihtiskmachine
  • knihtiskprinting process
Polish druk wypukły, druk wypukły
  • druk wypukłymachine
  • druk wypukłyprinting process
Cite this entry
APA

letterpress. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/letterpress

MLA

“letterpress.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/letterpress. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “letterpress,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/letterpress.

Source: letterpress on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.