Story

Almost 600 years ago, Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press, which simplified and sped up the process of printing. A revolution in human communication had started as pamphlets and books spread through Europe, increasing literacy among its population. A high demand for paper led to the invention of the Hollander Beater which processes large amounts of fiber into pulp, from which paper was made by hand.

Tallinna Paber was established in 2011 with the aim to keep the tradition of letterpress printing and papermaking alive. The prints we make have a story to tell before they even reach your hands.

They start in our paper laboratory, where we mix natural materials with water and using our small hollander beat it into pulp. Sheet by sheet, we then make paper of various sizes, colours and densities, and put it to dry for several days. We recycle paper in this process: we do our bit to save the planet while we transform the most ordinary paper into a unique sheet of thick paper with a rough surface and deckle edges. For special projects, we make high quality paper which lasts for centuries, using raw materials such as cotton, hemp, linen, and abaka.

Once the paper is dry, we print on it using one of our letterpress printing machines. We use the following machinery: Heidelberg Windmill Red Ball (1967), Korrex Nurnberg (1972), Hohner Rapid 2 (1969), Krause Book Press, Tabletop Platen, and Krause Guillotine. We combine the traditional letterpress printing technique with contemporary possibilities of using photopolymer clichés, which allows us to print almost any design. We print our own series of postcards, greeting cards, seed paper cards and large prints. We’ll happily print your own design or help you develop one.

Letterpress printing on handmade paper has a special feeling to it, which makes it perfect for wedding invitations, high-end business cards, books, calligraphy art and other luxurious prints. Browse through our portfolio to get inspired and add your own story to our prints.