Paper Weight And Postage: How Many Stamps For 130Lb Wedding Invite?

Wedding invitations are an exciting part of the wedding planning process, but they can also be a little scary. While you might assume that you can stuff a few pieces of paper into an envelope, slap on a stamp, and send it on its way, the process for wedding invites is often a little more involved – and costly. The cost of postage for wedding invitations depends on a few factors, including weight, size, and thickness. Most standard letters require a forever stamp, which is usually sufficient for an envelope weighing up to one ounce. However, wedding invitations are often printed on thicker cardstock and may include multiple cards and embellishments, which can increase the weight and require additional postage. To ensure your invitations reach their destination, it's recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed and measured, so you can purchase the correct amount and type of postage.

Weight, size, and thickness affect postage costs

When it comes to sending out wedding invitations, it's important to consider that weight, size, and thickness can affect postage costs. While you may have considered the cost of the invitations themselves, the postage required to mail them out is often an overlooked expense.

Weight is a crucial factor in determining postage costs. In general, the heavier your wedding invitation, the more it will cost to send. This is because heavier items tend to require more resources for processing and delivery. A standard wedding invitation, which includes a mailing envelope, a single-layer invitation, an RSVP card, and an RSVP envelope, typically weighs less than one ounce and can be sent with a regular First-Class Stamp. However, if your invitation includes additional enclosures, thicker paper, or embellishments like ribbons or wax seals, it may exceed the one-ounce limit and require additional postage.

The size of your wedding invitation also matters. Standard-sized invitations, such as 5" x 7" or 5.5" x 8.5", fall within the USPS standard letter size and do not incur additional charges based on dimensions alone. However, unique shapes like square envelopes are considered irregular and will require extra postage. Square envelopes, for example, can cost around $0.20 extra per invitation just for the first ounce.

Thickness can also impact postage costs. While 1/4" may sound like a thick envelope, embellishments like ribbons, twine, or wax seals can quickly add bulk to your invitation. If your invitation exceeds the 1/4" thickness guideline, you may need to pay extra for postage.

To ensure you're applying the correct postage to your wedding invitations, it's recommended to take a complete sample invitation to your local post office. They can weigh your invitation and test its thickness to provide an accurate estimate of the required postage. Additionally, consider the distance and quantity of your invitations when budgeting for postage costs. By understanding how weight, size, and thickness affect postage, you can better plan and avoid unexpected expenses when sending out your wedding invitations.

A standard 73-cent stamp covers a letter weighing up to one ounce

The number of stamps you need for a letter or package depends on several factors, including its weight, size, shape, and destination. In the US, a standard 73-cent stamp covers the cost of sending a letter weighing up to one ounce. Here is some more information about postage costs and how to calculate them.

Weight

The weight of your letter or package is a crucial factor in determining the postage cost. In the US, a single Forever stamp, currently costing 73 cents, will cover the cost of sending a letter or package weighing up to one ounce. If your item weighs more than one ounce but less than two ounces, you will need additional postage. You can purchase smaller-value stamps, such as 1-cent, 2-cent, 3-cent, 5-cent, and 10-cent stamps, to make up the difference. Alternatively, you can opt for a 2-ounce stamp, which costs more than a Forever stamp.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your envelope also affect the postage cost. Standard-sized envelopes that are rectangular and flat can usually be sent with a single Forever stamp if they weigh one ounce or less. However, if your envelope is oversized, square, or irregularly shaped, you will need additional postage. For example, square envelopes in the US typically cost around 20 cents extra to send, regardless of weight. Large envelopes, such as 9" x 12" or legal-sized envelopes, may require two stamps for the first ounce and an additional 20 cents for each ounce thereafter.

Destination

The destination of your letter or package also influences the postage cost. Sending mail within the US requires different postage than sending mail internationally. In the US, a Forever stamp will cover the cost of sending a letter weighing one ounce or less anywhere within the country. For international mail, you can use Global Forever Stamps, which currently cost $1.30 each and cover the cost of sending a one-ounce letter to any international destination.

Calculating Postage

To calculate the exact postage cost for your letter or package, you can use an online postage price calculator, such as the one provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS). You will need to input information such as the weight, size, and destination of your item. The calculator will then provide you with the total cost, which you can divide by the cost of a Forever stamp to determine how many stamps you need. Alternatively, you can take your item to your local post office, where a postal clerk can weigh your item and calculate the correct postage for you. They can also sell you the required number of stamps.

Non-rectangular envelopes may require additional postage

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are a few factors that determine how much postage you'll need, and non-rectangular envelopes often require additional postage. The amount of postage required depends on the weight, size, and thickness of the envelope and its contents.

Square envelopes, for example, are considered irregular and will require additional postage just based on their dimensions. They will cost about $0.20 extra per invitation for the first ounce. Other non-standard shapes may also require extra postage, especially if they are larger than the typical 5" x 7" or 5.5" x 8.5" wedding invitation sizes.

If your envelope is thicker than 1/4" at its thickest point, it may also require additional postage. This is often an issue when people want a ribbon tie for the envelope liner, as the knot can make the envelope thicker than the allowed thickness.

To avoid any unexpected costs, it is recommended to take a fully assembled invitation to your local post office to have them weigh it and test it through their thickness template. They can then advise you on the correct amount of postage required.

Hand-cancelling is recommended for bulkier envelopes to avoid machine damage

When sending wedding invitations, the postage cost is dependent on a few factors: weight, size, and thickness. Basic wedding invitation suites (mailing envelope, flat single-layer invitation, RSVP card, and RSVP envelope) will only require a regular First-Class Stamp. However, if your invitation weighs more than one ounce, you will need to purchase additional postage.

If you are concerned about your invitations being damaged during mailing, hand-cancelling is recommended for bulkier envelopes to avoid machine damage. Hand-cancelling is when each stamp on your envelope is marked or "cancelled" using a hand stamp instead of by a machine. This prevents stuffed envelopes from being torn by the post office's machine and also helps to prevent envelopes from being bent, which can ruin the appearance of the invitation.

To hand-cancel your invitations, first, check with your postmaster. Assemble a mock-up, including all inserts and accoutrements, and bring it to the post office to be weighed and checked. They will be able to tell you if your envelope is too bulky to be cancelled by machine and how much postage you will need based on the weight of your invitations.

Next, purchase the correct postage. You will need to buy a combination of stamps (or a single custom stamp) that reaches your necessary postage. Remember that hand-cancelling requires an extra cost, so this amount should be included in the postage.

Finally, return to the post office to have your envelopes hand-cancelled. Try to go at an off-peak hour so you can talk to a post office employee about what you need. Some post offices will allow you to hand-cancel the envelopes yourself, but others will require a postmaster or another employee to do it for you.

Vintage stamps are an option for a romantic or Old-World look but may be more costly and time-consuming

The number of stamps you'll need for your wedding invitations depends on their weight and dimensions. If your invites are standard size and weigh under one ounce, you'll only need one Forever Stamp per envelope. However, if your envelopes are bulkier or heavier, you'll need to add extra postage in the form of smaller-denomination stamps.

Vintage stamps are an option for wedding invitations if you're going for a romantic or Old-World look. They can represent your personal style, whether chosen thematically or by colour palette. Vintage stamps often cost more to buy than modern stamps, as they've been carefully preserved and are no longer in production. For example, you might pay $5 for a stamp with a face value of 50 cents.

Vintage stamps can be purchased from online retailers, local stamp shops, antique stores, stamp museums, and flea markets. eBay is a good resource for finding vintage stamps, as is the website of the US Postal Service. You can also try local stamp dealers, stamp clubs, and stamp shows. When searching for vintage stamps, it's helpful to know the Scott number, a unique identifier assigned to each stamp.

Using vintage stamps for your wedding invitations can be more costly and time-consuming than using modern stamps. Vintage stamps often have lower face values, so you'll need to use a combination of stamps to make up the correct postage for your invitations. Planning your stamp arrangement ahead of time will ensure you leave enough room for the address. It's also important to inform your stationer and/or calligrapher if you plan to use vintage stamps, as this may affect the envelope shape or layout.

Frequently asked questions