Designing Tri-Fold Wedding Invites With Cricut

Creating tri-fold wedding invitations with a Cricut machine is a fun and cost-effective way to make unique and custom invitations. You can either use the Cricut machine to create intricate cardholders for pre-printed cards or print the cards yourself and use the Cricut for embellishment.

There are many templates available for purchase online, or you can design your own. You can also find free templates on websites like FontBundles.net, TheHungryJPEG.com, and DesignBundles.net.

The Cricut machine can cut through various types of paper, including foil, cardstock, linen, and vellum, leaving endless possibilities for your wedding invitations.

In addition to the cost of materials, there may be hidden costs associated with using a Cricut, such as the cost of accessories and the time spent learning to use the machine. However, with some creativity and design skills, you can create beautiful and memorable tri-fold wedding invitations with your Cricut machine.

Choosing a template

When choosing a template for your tri-fold wedding invitations, you have a variety of options to consider. Firstly, you can opt for free templates available online or purchase templates from platforms like Etsy. Etsy offers a diverse range of trifold wedding invitation templates, including modern, simplistic, floral, religious, and pocket-style designs.

If you're looking for a more personalised approach, you can design your own template using platforms like Adobe Illustrator or Canva. This allows you to customise every aspect of your invitation, from fonts to graphics. When designing your own template, consider the overall theme and style of your wedding, as well as the specific information you want to include.

Another option is to use the Cricut Design Space app, which offers a user-friendly interface for creating and customising your invitations. You can also use other editors like Google Docs, Slides, Microsoft Word, or PowerPoint, but keep in mind that you might have to cut the invitations by hand.

When selecting a template, it's important to consider the type of paper or cardstock you want to use. Cricut machines can cut through various materials, including foil, cardstock, linen, and vellum. You can even create wood invitations if you have a Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2. Think about the weight and texture of the paper, as well as any additional elements like foil cutouts or engagement photos that you want to include.

Additionally, take into account the time and effort required to create your invitations. Designing and cutting invitations can be time-consuming, especially with a long guest list. If you're short on time, consider splitting tasks with friends or family members who also own Cricut machines.

Lastly, don't forget to have fun with the process! Creating your own tri-fold wedding invitations with a Cricut machine allows you to add a personal touch to your special day.

Selecting paper type

Selecting the right paper type for your wedding invitations is a crucial step in the invitation-making process. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you choose the best paper for your Cricut wedding invitations:

Paper Types:

• Cardstock: This is a medium to heavy-weight paper made from tree pulp or cotton. It comes in a variety of colours and weights, making it perfect for printing at home. Cardstock is also relatively inexpensive, so you can stay within your budget. The weight of cardstock is measured in pounds, with 80# being good for most home printers, while 100# can cause issues in some machines. The heavier the cardstock, the more professional your invitations will look.
• Linen Cardstock: This type of cardstock has a delicate woven texture and a matte finish, resembling linen fabric. The basket-weave texture is perfect for hiding imperfections, especially if you're printing at home. It adds a subtle elegance to your invitations.
• Cotton Cardstock: Cotton cardstock is relatively smooth, highly absorbent, and suitable for both laser and inkjet printing. It gives your invitations a clean, modern look and is considered "photo-safe", meaning it will preserve your invitations for years to come.
• Parchment: Parchment is a thin, semi-translucent paper with a slight marble appearance. It's subtle and soft, adding a unique touch to small or intimate weddings. However, it's not very thick, so consider layering it with vellum or cotton cardstock for added depth.
• Felt: Felt cardstock has a unique texture that falls somewhere between cotton and canvas—smooth yet coarse. It gives your invitations an air of sophistication, but its weight of 110# and above might not be suitable for all home printers.
• Kraft or Recycled Cardstock: Kraft cardstock has a rustic look and feel, resembling coarse brown grocery bags but with a smoother texture. It's perfect for vintage or outdoorsy weddings, adding a touch of elegance to your DIY invitations.
• Vellum: Vellum is a translucent paper that can be used on its own or layered over illustrations, artwork, or photos. You can print your invitation details directly on the vellum or use it as an overlay to add depth without the trouble of printing.
• Coloured Cardstock: This option closely resembles thick craft paper and has a smooth finish without any texture or grain. It's a great way to add a fun and cohesive look to your invitations, especially when paired with coloured envelopes.
• Wood Grain Cardstock: Wood grain cardstock is having a moment! It has a subtle wood grain texture embossed into the paper, adding a decorative touch to your invitations. It's perfect for accents like belly bands, tags, enclosure cards, and vellum underlays.
• Laid Cardstock: If you want something a little different, consider laid cardstock. It has subtle vertical ridges running along the length of the paper, giving it a soft, romantic feel.

Weight Considerations:

When choosing the weight of your paper, consider the following:

• 80-90#: This weight is ideal for most home printers and will go through without any issues.
• 100#: This weight can cause problems in some home printers, but it gives your invitations a more professional look while still allowing for standard postage.
• 110-130#: This is the heaviest weight you can likely print yourself, and it will give your invitations a truly professional appearance.
• 150 and above: Paper weights in this range should be reserved for professional printers, embossers, and letterpress printing.

In conclusion, selecting the right paper type for your Cricut wedding invitations involves considering the desired look, your printer's capabilities, and your budget. Choose a paper type and weight that aligns with your vision for your invitations, ensuring they not only look elegant but also function well with your chosen printing method.

Designing the card

The first step in designing your tri-fold wedding invitation is to decide on the graphics and overall design. Transparent PNG graphics are great for creating your own invitations as they are bitmap format images with the background already removed, making it easier to lay out and overlap images and text. You can find free graphics and fonts on sites like Canva, or purchase templates from Etsy.

Once you have your graphics, upload the transparent PNG, selecting 'complex' to preserve the details of the design. There is no need to select and erase anything on the following page, as the Cricut Design Space is not very precise.

Next, save the image as 'Save as a Print Then Cut Image'. This next part is subjective, and there are many possibilities for what you can do. You can duplicate, rotate, resize, and rearrange the graphic as you see fit.

Create a rectangle using the square shape tool and size it to your preferred dimensions. Select 'Print' as the fill and colour it white. Place the rectangle over the graphics and slice two elements at a time. Delete the extra pieces outside the rectangle. Select all the internal white pieces of the rectangle from the right panel and weld them back together. Then, rearrange the graphics layers by selecting the rectangle and 'Send to Back'. Now, flatten the graphics together.

Use the text tool to create the text overlay. Remember to attach all the text and 'Flatten' it, otherwise the Cricut will attempt to slice all the letters. Set the Fill = Print and select your preferred colour. Attach the text and graphics together and then flatten.

Additional Tips

The default bleed setting for Print and Cut on the Cricut is on, adding extra coloured padding around the cut line in case the cutting is not perfect. Don't be thrown off by the weird extra line around the perimeter of the design. If any of the internal text or images have weird lines or are super fat, it usually means you did not flatten that part or the fill was not set to print.

Different vellum brands have different levels of opacity, and some printers struggle with vellum. If this is the case, you can use a black marker to trace over the alignment lines.

Materials

• Vellum Inkjet Paper or traditional white cardstock
• Cricut or other cutting machine
• Transparent PNG graphic

Printing and cutting

To print and cut tri-fold wedding invitations with a Cricut machine, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, decide on the graphics and overall design of your invitation. Transparent PNG graphics are a good option for designing your own invitations as they are bitmap-format images with the background already removed, making it easier to layer and overlap images and text. You can find free graphics and fonts on websites like Canva, or purchase templates from Etsy.

Next, upload your chosen graphics and select 'complex' to preserve the details of the design. You don't need to select or erase anything on the following page as the Cricut Design Space is not very precise. Save the image as a 'Print Then Cut Image'.

Now, you can get creative and duplicate, rotate, or resize the graphic as you see fit. You can also add a rectangle using the square shape tool and size it to your preferred dimensions. Select 'Print' as the fill and colour it white. Place the rectangle over the graphics and slice two elements at a time. Delete any extra pieces outside the rectangle.

Select all the internal white pieces of the rectangle and weld them back together, then rearrange the graphics layers by selecting the rectangle and 'Send to Back'. Flatten the graphics together.

For the text, use the text tool to create the text overlay. Remember to attach all the text and 'Flatten' it. Select a colour for the text, or a pattern fill. Attach the text and graphics together and flatten again.

Finally, cut the design and use the Cricut to score the folds. You can also print and cut RSVP cards with the Cricut using the 'draw' option. Assemble and fold the invitations, and address the envelopes using the line draw option in Design Space.

Assembly

Once you have your tri-fold wedding invitation design ready, it's time to assemble your invitations. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Cutting the Design: Use your Cricut machine to cut out the intricate details of your tri-fold invitation design. Place your paper or thin cardstock on the cutting mat and adjust the machine settings to suit your chosen material. Initiate the cutting process, ensuring the machine scores the folds as well.
• Printing: If you plan to include additional printed information, such as RSVP cards or event details, you can use the Cricut to print these. Utilise the "draw" option in the Design Space software to add text and designs. Alternatively, you can print these elements separately and attach them to your invitations.
• Folding: After cutting and printing, carefully fold your invitations along the scored lines. Ensure the folds are crisp and precise to achieve a neat and professional finish.
• Assembly: Bring all the elements of your invitation together. Attach any additional printed cards or embellishments securely, ensuring they align correctly with the folds of your tri-fold design.
• Addressing Envelopes: Use the line draw option in Design Space to address envelopes for your invitations. This adds a personalised touch and ensures your invitations reach their intended recipients.
• Final Checks: Before sealing your envelopes, conduct a final inspection to ensure all elements of your invitation are securely attached and correctly positioned. Check that all necessary information is included and that your invitations accurately reflect your chosen design.

Your tri-fold wedding invitations are now ready to be sent out to your guests! Remember to allow adequate time for assembly, especially if you have a lengthy guest list, as Cricut machines can only cut one invitation at a time. Enjoy the process of creating these unique and memorable invitations.

Frequently asked questions