Designing And Printing Your Own Wedding Invitations

Designing and printing your own wedding invitations is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. The process involves selecting the type of invitation, choosing a word processing or design software, designing the invitation, and printing the final product.

When choosing an invitation type, you can opt for traditional invitations with multiple enclosures or go for casual invitations with fewer enclosures and a more relaxed style. After deciding on the type of invitation, select a software program for designing. This can be a simple word processing program or more specialized design software. Play around with different fonts, font sizes, text alignments, and line spacing to create a visually appealing layout.

Once you're happy with the design, it's time to print. You can use your home printer or engage a printing company, depending on your budget and convenience. If printing at home, ensure you have enough ink and the correct paper size. Run a test print first to check for any issues. If using a printing company, provide them with the final digital file in the required format, such as PDF.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful, personalized wedding invitations that impress your guests and reflect your unique style.

Selecting the right paper and envelopes

Paper Type and Weight:

• Choose a durable paper with a weight of at least 80 lb (pound) or 12 point stock to achieve the desired heft and feel of a wedding invitation.
• Consider the amount of colour in your design. Some paper types don't handle large ink coverage well.
• If your design includes photos, use dye-based ink with any type of photo paper for the best results.
• For designs with heavy colour coverage, consider using pigment-based ink, which lasts longer but is more expensive.
• Paper with coating, such as semi-gloss, gloss, matte, resin, or polymer, works well with dye-based ink and helps prevent ink bleeding.
• If you want to use textured paper, such as linen, feltweave card stock, or cotton rag, opt for pigment ink.
• Be mindful of your printer's capabilities. Some printers may not handle paper heavier than 85 lb stock. Check your printer specifications before purchasing paper.

Cost and Efficiency:

• Consider using a design that allows for multiple invites, RSVP cards, or place cards on each sheet to save paper and cost.
• Smaller invitations will also require less paper and are less likely to bend or fold during mailing.
• If you require a large quantity of invitations, buying paper in bulk can help reduce the cost per sheet.

Paper Source and Testing:

• Purchase paper from specialty stationery stores or print shops, where you can feel the paper and consult with experts to find the best option for your needs.
• Before committing to a large quantity, test several paper samples on your printer at home to ensure compatibility and desired results.

Envelopes:

• Choose envelopes that are slightly larger than your invitations to allow for easy insertion.
• Don't forget to include envelopes for RSVP cards or any other inserts.
• If you want to add a pop of colour, ensure the envelope colour is light enough for the address to be visible.
• Envelope liners can also dress up your invitations. Consider using metallic paper or patterned liners.

Choosing a design and font

There are thousands of fonts available for personal or commercial use, and it can be a daunting task to select the right one. When selecting a font, consider whether it adds to or takes away from your wedding theme and whether it is legible. Some fonts may be pleasing to the eye but difficult to read, so it is important to find a balance between style and functionality.

Another aspect to consider is the use of accent fonts to highlight important information such as names or the wedding date. These fonts can help break up the design and create a visual hierarchy that makes the invitation more engaging.

If you're looking for a more formal and elegant style, script fonts with flourishes and swooshes are a great choice. These fonts have a traditional and ornate feel to them. On the other hand, if you want a modern and clean look, sans-serif fonts like Montserrat, Hammersmith One, and Josefin Sans are excellent choices.

The paper you choose will also impact the overall design and feel of your invitations. Select a durable paper with a weight of at least 80 pounds or 12-point stock to give your invitations a luxurious feel. If you want to include photos, pair dye-based ink with photo paper for the best results.

Additionally, consider creating a Pinterest board as a mood board to identify your style and the design elements that resonate with you. This can help guide your font and design choices and ensure they align with your wedding theme and accessories.

By carefully considering the design, font, and paper choices, you can create elegant and engaging wedding invitations that set the right tone for your special day.

Printing at home or using a service

Printing your own wedding invitations at home is a good option if you want to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. It can be a fun and creative process, but it requires some planning and effort. Here are some things to consider if you decide to print your own wedding invitations:

• Choose the right paper: Select a durable paper with a weight of at least 80 pounds or 12-point stock to give your invitations a luxurious feel. Consider the colour, texture, and environmental impact of the paper. Order samples before purchasing to ensure it meets your expectations.
• Design your invitations: Use word processing or design software to create your invitations. Select complementary fonts, colours, and graphic elements that reflect your wedding theme. Pay attention to text alignment, line spacing, and colour schemes to ensure your invitations are easy to read.
• Printer and ink: Evaluate the type of printer and ink you have. Dye-based ink is commonly used in inkjet printers and produces vivid images, but it may not last as long as pigment-based ink. Consider the ink coverage and the cost of replacement cartridges for elaborate designs.
• Test printing: Before printing all your invitations, perform a test print to ensure the design, colours, and alignment are correct. Stay by the printer during the printing process to monitor for any issues and avoid paper waste.
• Assembly: Involve family and friends in assembling the invitations. Provide clear instructions and a completed invitation as an example. Consider using embellishments like ribbons or paper strips to add a special touch.

Alternatively, you can use a printing service to save time and ensure a professional finish. Here are some benefits of using a printing service:

• Convenience: Online printing services, such as Vistaprint, Shutterfly, or Canva, offer customizable templates and high-quality printing options. They may also provide eco-conscious printing and paper choices.
• Cost-effectiveness: In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to use a printing service, especially if you have a complex design that requires a lot of ink. Compare the cost of printer ink and paper for home printing against the quotes from printing services.
• Professional results: Printing services can provide a wider range of paper options, including textured paper and thicker card stock, resulting in more elegant and durable invitations. They can also handle special printing techniques, such as foil printing or letterpress.
• Time-saving: Printing services can save you time and reduce the stress of managing the entire printing process yourself. They may also offer faster turnaround times if you need your invitations urgently.
• Expertise: Professional printers have the expertise to advise on the best paper choices, printing techniques, and design layouts to ensure your invitations look their best.

Assembly and addressing

Once you have designed your wedding invitations and selected your paper, it's time to assemble and address them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Assembly:

• If you have purchased an invitation suite, carefully separate the invitations, enclosures, and envelopes.
• If you have purchased cardstock and envelopes separately, cut the cardstock to the desired size using a paper cutter. This will ensure straight and precise cuts.
• If you are layering the printed card on top of a different colour cardstock, cut the layering cardstock about 1/4 inch larger than the printed cardstock.
• Mount the printed invitations on the cardstock, if applicable.
• Add any enclosures, such as RSVP cards, reception invitations, or other inserts.
• Secure embellishments such as ribbon or paper strips with glue dots or double-stick tape.
• Place the invitation suite into the envelopes. If you are using both outer and inner envelopes, insert the invitation into the inner envelope first, then place it into the outer envelope.

Addressing:

• Finalise your guest list and ensure you have the correct names and addresses for each invitee.
• Choose your addressing style. You can print address labels, use a mail merge program, or handwrite the addresses.
• If printing labels or using a mail merge, ensure your computer screen is colour-balanced and calibrated to avoid discrepancies between the displayed and printed colours.
• If handwriting the addresses, consider using a calligraphy guide or template to achieve a neat and elegant appearance.
• Address the envelopes clearly and legibly, including all relevant information such as titles, names, and postal codes.
• Double-check each address before placing it on the envelope to prevent mistakes.
• If using outer and inner envelopes, only the outer envelope needs to be addressed.
• Consider adding return address labels or printing your return address on the back flap of the envelope.

Cost-saving measures

Printing your own wedding invitations is a great way to save money. Here are some tips to keep costs down:

• Use a template: Instead of designing your invitations from scratch, look for downloadable templates online. These are usually available at a low cost and can be customised to fit your wedding theme and colours. Etsy, for example, offers a variety of templates.
• Keep it simple: Opt for a simple design with minimal colours. This will use less ink, which can be costly.
• Choose your printer wisely: Compare prices at different print shops, such as Costco or Office Depot, and choose one that fits your budget. Some shops may also offer discounts if you are willing to wait a few days for printing.
• Provide your own paper: If you have a specific type of paper in mind, buy it yourself and bring it to the print shop. This will often lower the cost of printing.
• Buy in bulk: Purchase your paper, envelopes and other supplies in bulk to take advantage of wholesale prices.
• DIY where you can: Cut and assemble your invitations yourself to save on labour costs. Use a paper cutter for clean cuts and double-sided tape or glue dots for assembly.
• Compare online options: Compare the prices of online printing services, such as Vistaprint, Shutterfly or Zazzle, which often offer affordable prices and discount codes.
• Plan ahead: Give yourself enough time to compare prices, test print and make adjustments. This will help you avoid last-minute rush fees.
• Format for efficiency: Size your invitations to fit multiple on a single sheet of paper. This will reduce paper waste and lower your overall cost.
• Go digital: Instead of including RSVP cards, consider setting up a free wedding website where guests can RSVP online. You can also provide an RSVP phone number or email address.

Frequently asked questions