Crafting Your Own Wedding Invitation Card: A Diy Guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating your own wedding invitations can be a fun and rewarding experience. DIY wedding invitations allow you to save money, work with a quick turnaround, avoid large print minimums, and easily make last-minute changes. To get started, you'll need to decide on the design and printing method, whether it's letterpress, online printing, at-home printing, local printing, or Gocco printing. Then, choose your paper type, weight, and finish, keeping in mind the capabilities of your printer. You can add personal touches to your invitations by including engagement photos, listing your wedding website, using custom stamps or wax seals, and playing with colours. With the right tools and planning, you can create beautiful and unique DIY wedding invitations that will impress your guests.

Printing options: letterpress, online, at-home, local, or Gocco

There are several printing options to choose from when creating DIY wedding invitation cards. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, convenience, and the final look of the invitations. Here is an overview of each printing option:

Letterpress

Letterpress printing is a traditional printing method that creates a debossed effect on the paper, resulting in a visually appealing and tactile invitation. It is considered a fine art and requires heavy machinery or a letterpress machine. Letterpress printing can be expensive, but it is possible to find affordable options or create your own letterpress invitations with pre-made designs and plates. This option may be time-consuming and require a lot of patience, especially when setting the type. However, the end result can be very satisfying.

Online Printing

Online printing services offer convenience and a wide variety of options. Websites like Minted, Shutterfly, Zazzle, Vistaprint, and Prints of Love offer customizable invitation templates at affordable prices. They often provide discount codes and additional services such as paper cutting and envelope liners. When using online printing services, it is important to request a proof of your invitation and get paper samples beforehand to ensure the desired quality.

At-Home Printing

At-home printing is the most accessible option, allowing you to work on your invitations in smaller chunks. However, it may be limited by the capabilities of your printer and the availability of specific types of paper. It is important to test different papers before committing to a large quantity. At-home printing gives you greater control over the process but may require more time and effort.

Local Printing

Local print shops offer short-run printing services and often allow you to bring your own paper. They can provide more personalized service and control over the final result. Local printing is a good option if you want to support local businesses and have a hand in the printing process. However, prices may vary, and it is important to find a reputable print shop that meets your needs.

Gocco Printing

Gocco printing is a small-scale version of screen printing that creates a unique and artistic look. However, it is considered a dying art, and finding professionals who specialize in this technique may be challenging. Gocco printing can be expensive, similar to letterpress, and may not be the most practical option for wedding invitations.

Paper choices: finish, weight, and where to buy

When it comes to paper choices, there are a few things to consider: finish, weight, and where to buy.

Finish

The finish of your paper will impact how you're able to print your invitations and how much ink they will take. Glossy papers, for example, take a lot more ink and longer to dry. Linen papers and papers with more texture are more likely to bleed, so they won't work with some at-home printers where you can't adjust the ink settings. If you don't want to spend time researching paper finishes, a matte card stock is a foolproof option that will likely work with the printer you're using.

Weight

The weight of the paper, or thickness, is measured in pounds, and the higher the number, the thicker the paper. While cardstock weight can range from 45lb to 300lb or higher, for wedding invitations, you'll want to choose a paper weight between 80lb and 150lb. 80-90lb cardstock is ideal for most home printers, while 100lb can cause problems for some printers. 110-130lb is the heaviest weight you'll likely be able to print yourself, and this weight will give your invitations a professional look and feel.

Where to Buy

There are many places to buy paper for your DIY wedding invitations, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Cardstock Warehouse, for example, offers a range of high-quality cardstock papers in various colours and weights, and you can purchase a Swatch Deck to compare papers and find the perfect fit. Paper Source also offers an extensive collection of high-quality cover weight cards and envelopes in an exclusive colour palette, and you can order their Swatchbook to get paper samples of their entire line. Local office supply shops typically carry cardstocks and glossy photo paper, but for linens or specialty papers, you may need to shop online.

Packaging and embellishments

When it comes to packaging and embellishments, there are many ways to elevate your DIY wedding invitations. Here are some ideas and considerations to keep in mind:

Packaging:

• Envelope Liners: Adding envelope liners is a great way to enhance the presentation of your invitations. You can choose a colour or pattern that complements your wedding theme or colour palette.
• Printed Envelopes: Consider having your envelopes professionally printed. This can add a touch of elegance and professionalism to your invitations. You can either outsource this task or print them yourself at home.
• Wax Seals: For a truly unique touch, you can use a custom wax seal with a sticker backing. This elevates the look of your invitations and makes them appear more expensive.
• Belly Bands: Belly bands, or wraps, can be used to secure multiple components of your invitation suite together. This adds a stylish finishing touch while also keeping everything neatly organised.

Embellishments:

• Stamps and Embossing: Get creative with stamps and embossing powder to add texture and dimension to your invitations. You can find stamps in various designs, such as florals, monograms, or even custom illustrations.
• Ribbons and Fabric: Incorporate ribbons or fabric accents, such as silk flowers or doilies, to add a whimsical or rustic touch to your invitations.
• Paper Choice: Selecting the right paper for your invitations can make a significant impact. Consider using textured paper, such as linen, or specialty papers like vellum or cardstock. You can also mix and match different types of paper for a unique look.
• Die-Cutting: If you're feeling adventurous, invest in a die-cutting machine. This will allow you to create intricate cut-out designs, such as monograms or other decorative elements, that will surely impress your guests.
• Personalised Wax Seal: Create a personalised wax seal with your initials or a special design. This can be used to adorn the back of your invitations, adding a unique and artistic touch.
• Engagement Photos: If you have beautiful engagement photos, consider including them in your invitation design. This is a wonderful way to make your invitations more personal and showcase your soon-to-be-spouse.

Design tips: layout styles, typography, and where to find a design

Layout Styles

If you're designing your own wedding invitations, you probably already have a good idea of what you want them to look like. You can make DIY wedding invitations as simple or as complicated as you want. If you're printing at home, you may have very limited paper options depending on your printer, so it's worth bearing that in mind before you start buying paper or ink.

Typography

Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse your guests will get of your wedding, so it's worth putting some thought into the typography. The fonts and colours you choose should reflect the overall personality of your celebration. For example, a rustic event might feature a simple invite printed on recycled brown paper, while a minimalist design could work for a fun and modern wedding.

Where to Find a Design

If you don't have design experience, there are plenty of places to find an invitation design. Greetings Island offers free, editable wedding invitation templates with custom options for fonts, colours, stickers and photos. Canva also has hundreds of free, editable designs suitable for any wedding theme. Etsy is another great place to look for pre-made wedding invitation designs.

How to find the best design: websites, fonts, and graphics

Designing your own wedding invitations can be a fun and rewarding experience. By choosing the right websites, fonts, and graphics, you can create invitations that truly reflect your style and set the tone for your special day. Here are some tips to help you find the best design elements for your DIY wedding invitation cards.

Websites

There are numerous websites that offer customizable wedding invitation templates, often with free or affordable options. Some popular choices include Canva, Greetings Island, Minted, Zola, Artifact Uprising, and Zazzle. These sites typically provide a wide range of design options, from classic and elegant to modern and whimsical. Many also offer additional features such as free trials, downloadable templates, and printing services.

Fonts

The font you choose for your wedding invitations plays a crucial role in setting the tone and style of your event. There are four main types of fonts to consider:

• Script fonts: These have a formal and traditional feel, often featuring flourishes and swooshes for added elegance.
• Calligraphy fonts: These can vary from modern calligraphy, which looks hand-drawn and informal, to traditional calligraphy, which resembles script fonts.
• Serif fonts: Serif fonts are excellent for print design as the extra "feet" improve legibility and create a bridge between each letter. They come in traditional and modern styles.
• Sans serif fonts: Clean and modern, sans serif fonts are the most legible and work well for digital invitations. They can be paired with other fonts to create contrast.

Graphics

When it comes to graphics, you can choose from a variety of options to enhance the visual appeal of your invitations. Consider including floral motifs, rustic wood textures, or even hand-pressed flowers, depending on your wedding theme. If you prefer a minimalist approach, opt for simple graphics or a monochromatic color scheme. For a more whimsical touch, explore graphics with fun accents, such as hearts or curls.

Additionally, you can incorporate your wedding colors into the design or add illustrations of your wedding venue or destination. The key is to choose graphics that complement your font choice and overall wedding theme, creating a cohesive and stylish invitation that your guests will adore.

Frequently asked questions