Custom Vinyl Record Wedding Invites: A Creative Guide

If you're a music lover, why not make your wedding invitations stand out by creating them in the form of vinyl records? You can make these invitations yourself or order them from a vendor. If you're going the DIY route, you'll need to download a template, edit and print it, trim the sleeve, tape it, and then add the records and labels. You can also get creative and add some glare lines with a silver paint pen. If you're short on time or want something more professional, you can order custom vinyl record invitations from various online vendors. These invitations are made from real vinyl records, customized with your details, and shipped directly to you.

Choosing a colour scheme

When creating your vinyl record wedding invitation, choosing a colour scheme is an important step in ensuring your invitations capture the mood you want for your wedding. Your colour scheme should also complement the overall theme and season of your wedding.

A good rule of thumb is to choose one or two main colours, then select one or two secondary colours, one of which should be a neutral shade. This will help blend the focal colours seamlessly. To finish, choose a fun accent colour, such as gold or silver, to be used sparingly throughout the design.

For a rustic wedding, shades of brown can be a great base for your colour scheme. For an earthy, laid-back theme, try pairing ivory, cream and chocolate. If you want to incorporate animal prints, such as cowhide, for a farmhouse-inspired style, add shades of brown to your palette. For a playful rustic summer wedding, a duo of peach and lavender can be a fun choice.

If you're planning a classic or elegant wedding, a combination of navy blue and white is always a good choice. For a more regal feel, add an accent colour such as silver, green or blush. For a modern twist on this classic combination, incorporate fresh greenery such as boxwood, magnolia, eucalyptus or olive branches.

If you're looking for something unique, a bold palette of gold, turquoise and white is a fun choice. For a more subtle take on a unique palette, try a combination of orange and green, paired with creamy tones of rose and ivory.

For a romantic or bohemian wedding, a combination of yellow and blush can be a beautiful choice. For a bright and summery feel, opt for crisp shades of pink, yellow and white. For a trendy desert vibe, choose darker, muted shades of daffodil, mustard and salmon.

Printing and editing

The first step is to download the template file and edit it to include your details, such as names, dates, and locations. Before printing, print a copy to check for any errors and to ensure the layout and design are correct. It is also a good idea to have someone else check over your work.

Once you are happy with the design, print the template onto the card stock of your choice. The number of invitations you require will determine the amount of card stock needed. You can make this invite in any colour scheme by simply selecting different coloured paper to print on.

Next, cut out the sleeves along the trim lines. Score the sleeve down the centre line and along the flap lines using a scoring tool or the back of an X-acto knife. Be careful not to cut through the card. Fold the sleeve in half, with the design side out, and the flaps in.

Now it's time to assemble the sleeve. Apply a strip of double-sided tape to each flap and fold the sleeve in half, pressing down firmly to secure it in place. Alternatively, you can use a glue stick, but this may be a little messier.

The final step is to add the records. Using the record template, cut out the circles and punch a hole in the centre using the Instant Hole Setter. Trace this template onto your black card and cut out the circles. Don't forget to mark and punch the centre hole. Attach the front and back labels to each record using double-sided tape or a glue stick, with the centre hole as your guide. You can also add some "glare" lines to the records with a silver paint pen, if desired.

Trimming and taping the sleeve

Step 1: Trimming the Sleeve

Start by carefully cutting out the sleeves along the trim lines provided in the template. You can use a sharp craft knife or a pair of craft scissors for this step. Take your time and try to cut as straight as possible along the lines.

Once you have cut out the sleeve shape, the next step is to create a crisp fold line down the centre and along the flap lines. You can do this by scoring the paper with a scoring tool or the back of an X-acto knife. Be very careful not to cut all the way through the paper, as you are only trying to create an indentation to help guide your fold.

After scoring, fold the sleeve in half with the design facing outwards, and fold the flaps in.

Step 2: Taping the Sleeve

Now it's time to secure the flaps and form the pocket that will hold your vinyl record invitation. Apply a strip of double-sided tape to each flap. You can also use a glue stick, but be aware that this may be a little messier.

Once the tape is in place, fold the sleeve in half, pressing down firmly with the heel of your hand to ensure the flaps are securely attached. This will form the pocket that holds your vinyl record in place.

Tips for Taping:

• If you're using a glue stick, apply a thin, even layer to the flaps to avoid any unsightly lumps or excess glue seeping out.
• Double-sided tape provides a neater finish and stronger hold, so it is recommended if you can source some.
• Ensure your work surface is protected, as both glue and tape can be difficult to remove.

By following these steps, you will have a neatly trimmed and securely taped sleeve, ready to hold your vinyl record invitation. Now, you can move on to the optional notching step or proceed to insert your vinyl record and seal your invitation.

Notching the sleeve

Now it's time to notch the sleeve. This is an optional step, but it will give your invitation a more authentic vinyl record look. You can use a circle punch or plain scissors for this step. If you're using the circle punch, simply align it with the top of the sleeve and punch through. If you're using scissors, carefully cut out a notch shape from the top of the sleeve. Be sure to cut slowly and carefully to avoid accidentally cutting through the entire sleeve.

If you're feeling creative, you can even use a craft knife to cut out a custom shape from the sleeve. Maybe a heart or a musical note to tie into your wedding theme! Just be extra careful if you attempt this method, as it's easy to slip up and ruin the sleeve. Take your time and consider having extra sleeves printed in case of mistakes.

Another option for notching the sleeve is to use a hole punch. Simply slide the sleeve into the hole punch and create a small, rounded notch at the top. This method creates a cleaner, more precise cut than scissors and is faster than a craft knife.

If you're happy with the way your sleeve looks without a notch, feel free to skip this step altogether. It's totally optional and your invitations will still look great without it. However, if you do decide to add a notch, be sure to cut slowly and carefully to ensure the best results.

Remember, the notch is a fun detail that adds to the overall vinyl record theme, but it's not necessary for the structure or function of the invitation. Don't stress too much over this step and have fun with it!

Cutting the records

There are two ways to go about cutting the records. The first method is to use the record template included in the printable files. Start by printing out the template and cutting out the circles. Next, use the Instant Hole Setter to punch a hole in the centre of each circle. Use this paper template to trace the shape onto your black card, ensuring you mark the centre hole. Carefully cut out the black circles and then use the hole setter to punch out the centre holes.

The trick to cutting smooth circles is to use long sweeping strokes with the entire length of your scissors blade. Avoid making little snips as this will result in a circle with many edges. Instead, hold the scissors still and move the card. If you want to save time, consider investing in a circle cutter. Set it to 4.875″ and simply hold the cutting template to the card and run the included cutting tool around the edge. This method will yield two records per sheet. Don't forget to punch the centre hole with the hole setter afterwards.

If you're cutting multiple records, it's a good idea to enlist the help of family and friends to create a production line. Give each person one task and work in an assembly line. You can even make an afternoon of it with some wine and cheese or beer and pizza! Just be sure to cut out all the circles before consuming too much wine to avoid ending up with oddly-shaped vinyl records!

Frequently asked questions