A Personal Touch on 1 Million Inauguration Invitations

Being a graphic designer, I know I probably find printing a little more interesting than the average person.  Being that this print job was 1 million engraved invitations for the Presidential Inauguration, I figured more than just myself could appreciate a story like this.

Precise Continental, a small 26-year old printing firm in Brooklyn, New York received the call just before Christmas that they had been awarded the coveted bid.  With a run of 1 million invitations, and the fact that their machines are hand fed (not automatic like most), I can only imagine how many around the clock hours they had to work to complete the order.  It is a nice touch though, thinking about this old fashion press, someone's hand on every step of the process, manufacturing in a fashion that our economy used to depend on.  Seeing so many smaller printing presses go under or be taken over by larger printing conglomerates, it is nice to see such a big piece of prestigious business go their way.  Now if only I could get on the list to receive one of these beautiful handmade invitations.

To read the full (very interesting) story visit The New York Times.

Photos by Todd Heisler/The New York Times