About Us
Oblation Papers & Press is an old-world letterpress print shop, urban paper mill and fine European-style paper boutique specializing in custom wedding invitations and baby announcements.
At Oblation Papers & Press, we use traditional techniques to produce 100% cotton sheets of paper by hand. Our paper is strong, acid-free and produced with remnants from the garment industry. This paper is perfectly suited for letterpress printing. We use raised type and images in antique presses to make an elegant impression on the surface of each hand-fed sheet. Ron and Jennifer Rich founded Oblation Papers & Press in 1989. Nine years later they opened a retail venue in Portland's blossoming Pearl District, formerly an industrial area that is now a lively mix of art galleries, inventive restaurants and unique shops.
In the retail space one will find Italian correspondence stationery, fine fountain pens and distinctive paper from around the world. In addition to an assortment of eclectic gift items, Oblation Papers & Press also carries French wax seals, a wide selection of photo albums and journals, raw materials for bookbinding, designer office supplies, and an unrivaled selection of handmade greeting cards.
We hope you love what you see here. It would be a pleasure to work with you in creating the design that you envision for your life events.
Oblation Papers & Press
Celebrating 20 Years - 1989 through 2009
{ custom holiday cards }
Now through December 31st
25% off all custom oblation letterpress cards
10% off flat printing orders of 150 or more
order soon to beat the rush
call to make an appointment today ~ 503.223.1093
{ check out our blog }
click here to get updates on products and see photos
of our letterpress shop and urban paper mill
• egg press • elum • peculiar pair •
• wiley valentine •
• crane's • rita renning •
• william arthur •
• take notice • twig & fig •
• oblation papers & press •
• arturo italian papers •
• office goodies by russell + hazel •
• a carousel of colorful ribbons •
• fine pens, bottled inks & colorful ink cartriges •
• sealing wax & decorative wax seals •
• large selection of handmade cards by local artists •
• hand letterpressed notecards •
• japanese silk book cloth & book binding tools •
• organizers by filofax, designer's guild, & graphic image •
• photo albums, journals & handmade papers from around the world •
Oblation is featured in the HotShops section. —InStyle
Oblation is highlighted as being “a studio that specializes in designing invitations and stationery, (and) puts history in action with its century-old letterpress”. —Cottage Living
Oblation featured as a “great boutique” in Portland's Pearl District. —Lucky
Ampersand letterpress invitation featured in article on the wedding of Antonia and Henry. —Elegant Bride
Trifold letterpress invitation and envelope featured in article about beautiful wedding invitations. —Weddings InStyle
The task of recycling has always seemed attractive to us, particularly when we discovered many years ago that we could actually take unwanted paper products, convert them back into pulp, and then make it into fresh new paper. We built much of our own equipment out of found objects.
Nineteen years later, we are still making paper. Our fiber source is still recycled, although it is now 100% cotton that is recovered from the garment industry and is acid-free. The machine-made envelopes for our printed work are also converted from 100% post-consumer waste.
Additionally, we have opted to use a renewable energy source as the form of power to help run our business.
Our concerns for conservation also affect our design process (we offer wedding invitations with a single envelope and RSVP postcards). We are incorporating environmentally sound practices into our letterpress print shop by using soy-based inks and continuing to print on antique presses (that will likely outlive us all).
To get to work, we ride bikes, take mass transit, drive hybrids or carpool.
Thank you for sharing our enthusiasm for conservation and recycling!
© 2010 oblation papers & press | policies & terms
“I thank you for helping me bring to life a last minute stationery gift idea for my future sister-in-law. (You) were unbelievably helpful and creative but most of all you provided EXCELLENT customer service!”
Sequoia S. of Oregon
“You were the best vendor to work with during this process and I worked with A LOT of them ... I'm already referring you to newly engaged friends!”
—Briana B. of California
“The invitation is still my favorite element, you are my favorite vendor and I feel so lucky to have been able to work with you!”
—Keri P. of New Mexico
“I must tell you how much I appreciate finding simple, elegant designs on RECYCLED paper ... I find (your portfolio) so refreshing!”
—Ilene B.