Charging For Greeting Wedding Box Invites: Tips And Tricks

Wedding invitation costs can vary depending on several factors, including the level of customization, materials used, sourcing, and quantity. Couples can expect to pay around $530 in total for wedding invitations, with the price per invitation ranging from $1.50 to $20 or more. Online wedding invitations are generally more affordable, with Paperless Post offering customizable designs and free RSVP tracking. Greetings Island also offers free invitation templates with premium options available. Printed wedding invitations from stationery stores or design studios can be more expensive, ranging from $7 to $30 per invitation, depending on the complexity and level of customization. When charging for wedding invitations, it is important to consider the time and effort involved, the cost of materials, and the value of your craftsmanship.

DIY wedding invitations

Creating your own wedding invitations is a great way to keep costs down and add a personal touch. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own wedding invitations:

Know Your Options

Before you begin, it's important to understand the different types of DIY wedding invitations. You can choose from editable digital templates that you can personalise and then order, printable templates that you can customise and print yourself, or design your invitations completely from scratch.

Choose a Platform

If you opt for a digital template, there are various platforms to choose from, such as Papier, Etsy, Canva, or Greetings Island. These platforms offer a range of customisation options, including fonts, colours, stickers, and photos. Some platforms also provide printing services or allow you to download and print your invitations at home.

Define Your Vision

Consider the theme, colours, materials, and overall style you want for your invitations. Take inspiration from professional designs, but be realistic about your skill set and the time you have available. Practise your design a few times before committing to creating all your invitations.

Gather Your Materials

If you're printing your invitations yourself, make sure you have enough paper, ink, envelopes, and any other supplies you need. Consider the type of paper you want to use—thicker cardstock or textured paper can add a luxurious feel to your invitations. Test different paper options on your printer to find the best fit.

Design Your Invitations

When designing your invitations, consider the shape, dimensions, and overall layout. Traditional wedding invitations are rectangular with dimensions of 4.5 inches by 6.25 inches. Think about the theme and style of your wedding—for example, a rustic or natural look for a country wedding or a romantic aesthetic for a church wedding. Choose romantic and elegant fonts, and consider including a photo of the happy couple.

Include the Necessary Information

Make sure your invitations include all the relevant details, such as the full names of the couple, the date, time, and locations of the ceremony and reception, RSVP information, and the deadline for responses. You may also want to include details on the dress code, catering, and whether children are invited.

Finalise and Print

Once you're happy with your design, finalise the layout and proofread the text for any errors. Then, print your invitations, either at home or through a professional printing service.

Assemble and Send

If your DIY wedding invitations consist of multiple sheets of paper, consider pinning or tying them together. Choose envelopes that fit your invitations and match the overall theme. Finally, weigh your assembled invitation at the post office to ensure you're using the correct postage.

Online wedding invitation templates

There are many online wedding invitation templates available, and many of them are free to use. These templates are customizable and printable, allowing you to personalize your wedding invitations to match your wedding theme and style. You can choose from a variety of designs, including classic, vintage, floral, rustic, minimalist, and modern styles. Some platforms even offer custom options for fonts, colors, stickers, and photos.

Canva, for example, offers free wedding invitation templates that are easy to personalize. You can select from various themes, such as rustic, minimalist, or elegant navy blue. You can also include a photo of you and your fiancé on the invite by simply dragging and dropping it onto the template. With Canva, you have the option to download and email the invitations or have them printed and delivered to your doorstep.

Greetings Island also provides free online editable wedding invitation cards with free download and printable options. They offer a wide range of graphic designs with custom fonts and color schemes, catering to different themes, cultures, and religious identities. You can choose from various invitation styles, including floral, rustic, boho, or simple black and white. Greetings Island also offers premium wedding invitations starting at $8.99, with additional costs for watermark removal and printing services.

Another option is Paperless Post, which allows you to craft custom wedding invitations that complement your wedding style. You can customize your invitations with your preferred colors, fonts, and photos. They offer various design styles, including classic, floral, modern, destination, and rustic invitations. Paperless Post provides a cost-effective solution, reducing your carbon footprint, with the final price depending on the number of guests, customization level, and chosen features.

Withjoy is another platform that offers free online wedding invitation templates. Their invitations are connected to your guest list, allowing you to use different wording for specific guests and track RSVPs efficiently. Withjoy also provides matching printed invitations and stationery, including Save the Date cards, menus, RSVP cards, and thank-you notes.

Stationery store

A stationery store is a good option for customising and printing wedding invitations, with a wide range of pricing options. The cost of wedding invitations can vary depending on several factors, including the number of guests, the level of customisation, materials used, sourcing, quality, and any additional extras.

The baseline cost for wedding invitations at a stationery store is around $7 per invitation. This price can increase depending on any additional inserts, such as reception information or RSVP cards and envelopes. It's important to remember that postage costs for sending out the invitations and RSVP cards will also need to be factored in.

When creating custom wedding invitations, the time and labour involved in the design process should be considered. The cost of materials may be relatively low, but the time spent on customisation, design, and labour is valuable and should be reflected in the pricing.

For example, a simple design with one layer, one-colour printing, and minimal graphic manipulation may cost between $5 and $8 per invitation, including response cards and envelopes. As you add more layers, ribbons, embossing, or other embellishments, the price can increase exponentially.

Don't be afraid to charge a fair price for your time and talent. Handmade invitations are unique and worth the investment. Properly valuing your work will also help potential clients understand the true value of your creations.

Additionally, offering a range of customisation options can enhance the customer experience. This could include allowing customers to upload their photos, add text, choose from various fonts and colours, or select from different themes such as floral, rustic, boho, or simple black and white designs.

Overall, the cost of wedding invitations at a stationery store can vary, but it's important to consider all the factors that go into creating these special invitations to ensure you're offering a competitive and fair price.

Design studio

As a design studio, there are several factors to consider when charging for greeting wedding box invitations. These include the level of customization, materials used, sourcing, quality, and any additional extras.

Firstly, the level of customization will impact the cost. Creating a fully custom suite, including unique artwork, illustrations, and personalized designs, will command a higher price than using a semi-custom collection or template. This one-time design fee will depend on the complexity and number of custom elements requested.

The materials used, such as paper type and printing method, will also affect pricing. Handmade paper, for example, is more costly than traditional paper due to the labour involved in its creation. Similarly, printing methods like letterpress, foil stamping, and engraving are more expensive because they require manual labour and custom presses. Digital printing, on the other hand, is the most budget-friendly option as it is done entirely on a computer.

Sourcing is another factor to consider. Design studios typically offer entirely customized invitations, which come at a higher price point than online templates or DIY options. According to sources, design studios charge anywhere from $10 to $30 per wedding invitation, with packages starting around $1,000.

Quality and extras will also influence the final cost. Higher-quality invitations may include features like wax seals, envelope liners, belly bands, foil accents, or bevel cuts, all of which increase the price. Additional inserts, such as reception information cards or RSVP cards, will also add to the total cost.

When determining your pricing as a design studio, it's essential to consider the time and skill involved in creating these invitations, the level of customization, and the materials and printing methods used. You can offer packages or charge per invitation, ensuring that your pricing reflects the value and craftsmanship you bring to these special occasions.

Printing options

There are several printing options available for wedding invitations, each with its own unique characteristics and price range. Here is an overview of some popular printing techniques:

Engraving

Engraving creates an ultra-formal look with raised letters on the front and an indentation on the back of the invite. This technique involves etching an image onto a metal plate, filling it with ink, and then pressing paper onto the plate under high pressure. It is one of the most expensive printing methods and works best with thick paper, such as cotton fiber. The turnaround time for engraved invitations can range from two to six weeks.

Thermography

Thermography is a heat-based process that fuses ink and resinous powder to create raised lettering. It is similar to engraving but less expensive and slightly shinier. Cotton fiber is a suitable paper option, while pearlescent or shimmery paper should be avoided. This method is best for small graphics and has a faster turnaround time, often taking just a few days.

Letterpress

Letterpress printing creates a textural and sophisticated look with indented letters on the front and a slightly raised impression on the back. It is a labor-intensive method that involves etching the design in reverse on a raised surface and coating it with ink to produce an impression on the paper. Letterpress requires soft, bulky paper, such as cotton fiber or bamboo. It is one of the priciest printing methods, and the turnaround time can vary from two weeks to two months.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is ideal for casual or funky wedding styles and couples on a tight timeline or budget. It uses tiny ink dots to form letters and designs on flexible, thinner paper. While the ink may appear less dynamic than other processes, there is a wide range of colour options. Digital printing is the fastest and most affordable option, typically requiring just a few days for production and shipping.

Offset Printing (Lithography)

Offset printing is similar to digital printing but offers higher quality and is slightly more expensive. It uses a rubber stamp-like cylinder to press ink onto the paper and is commonly used for save-the-date cards. This method allows for more textured papers and provides vibrant designs and lettering. The turnaround time is usually a few days to a week, as a custom plate is required.

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping creates a metallic design using a heated copper plate to press the foil into the paper, leaving a letterpress-like impression. It is considered "dry printing" as it doesn't use ink. Lighter foils on darker papers create a dramatic effect, while delicate lines and excessive foiled text may be difficult to read. Foil stamping is the most expensive printing process and is often outsourced, resulting in a longer turnaround time of up to two months.

Embossing

Embossing is a non-ink technique that creates a raised-relief surface, adding dimension to the invitation. It is typically done on thicker paper stock, such as cotton fiber, to ensure crisp lines and impressions. Embossing can be done with or without coloured ink and is commonly used for border motifs or design extras. The turnaround time is similar to letterpress and engraving, taking around three to five weeks.

Frequently asked questions