Starting A Wedding Invitation Business: Steps To Success

Starting a wedding invitation business can be an exciting and profitable venture. With the rise of customizable wedding invitations, there is a growing demand for unique and personalized designs. To succeed in this competitive market, it is essential to differentiate yourself by offering something special that appeals to your target audience.

Before launching your business, it is crucial to conduct thorough market research to identify your target market, analyze competitors, and establish a pricing strategy. This research will guide your branding, design, and marketing efforts.

In addition, you will need to decide whether to sell your invitations through a marketplace like Etsy or create your own website. Both options have their pros and cons, and it may be beneficial to start with Etsy and then transition to your own website as your business grows.

To create visually appealing and unique designs, you should consider investing in graphic design software and learning about the latest trends in wedding invitations. You can also offer customization options to cater to the increasing demand for personalized invitations.

Marketing your business effectively is key to reaching potential clients. Social media, online ads, bridal shows, and partnerships with wedding planners and event coordinators can help expand your reach.

Lastly, providing excellent customer service and ensuring timely delivery are crucial for building a successful and rewarding wedding invitation business.

Learn graphic design software like Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop

To start a wedding invitation business, you'll need to know graphic design and the best programs for this are the Adobe Creative Suite programs: Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. These are industry-standard and will help you solve any troubleshooting issues. There are also a ton of courses out there on how to design with Adobe programs.

Adobe Illustrator allows you to create beautiful vector art and illustrations with precision and flexibility. You can draw custom shapes and combine, manipulate and draw various vector shapes for unique designs with the Shape Builder and Pen tools. You can also apply realistic 3D effects and textures to give dimension and texture to your designs with tools like Rotate, Lighting, and Shadows. Illustrator also allows for easy design collaboration as you can share your work online with anyone, using an Illustrator link that lets others comment on or review your designs.

Adobe Photoshop is the first choice for digital image editing and graphic design. It allows you to create anything you can imagine with unparalleled fidelity. You can combine multiple photos, remove or transform photo elements, create artistic effects, graphic design, and professional marketing content. Photoshop uses machine learning to help you complete difficult tasks like removing unwanted objects, smoothing skin, or replacing the sky in just a few clicks. You can also import, create, and use custom brushes to expand your design choice with unlimited possibilities in brush shapes and effects.

Adobe InDesign is primarily used in the Print Design Industry but is also used to create PDF Documents, Interactive PDF Documents, PDF Forms and Ebooks. It is useful for creating presentations and portfolios to showcase your work, particularly if you will be doing Logo Designs and Brand Guides.

Understand wedding invitation etiquette and wording to ensure your designs serve a functional purpose

Wedding invitations are more than just a pretty design. They serve a functional purpose and are an important piece of the wedding planning puzzle. The wording of a wedding invitation conveys critical information about the event, including the level of formality, and ensures guests know what to expect.

Understand the Basics

Wedding invitations should include the following essential information:

• A request to come to the wedding
• The names of the couple
• Reception information
• Date and time of the wedding
• Location of the ceremony and reception

Know the Etiquette

The rules of wedding invitation etiquette are not overly complicated, but it's important to get them right to ensure your designs are functional and appropriate. Here are some key points to consider:

• The host line: The opening line names the hosts of the event, usually the couple's parents, but this can also be the couple themselves or both sets of parents.
• Attendance request: This is where you invite guests to join the celebration. Common wording options include "the pleasure of your company" and "invite you to celebrate with them."
• Couple's names: Traditionally, the bride's name precedes the groom's name. For same-sex couples, names can be listed alphabetically or based on what sounds better.
• Date and time: Formal invitations spell out the date and time, while modern invites often use numerical figures.
• Location: Include the full address, including the state and zip code, especially for destination weddings.
• Reception details: If the ceremony and reception are at the same venue, you can simply state "reception to follow." Otherwise, include the full address on a separate card or the main invitation if there is room.
• Dress code: Including dress code information is optional but can be helpful for guests. It is usually mentioned in the lower corner or bottom center of the invite.

Get Creative Within the Guidelines

Once you understand the basics and etiquette, you can add your creative touch while still ensuring the invitations serve their functional purpose. Feel free to use unique wording and add personal touches that reflect the couple's style and the theme of the wedding.

Remember, the most important rule is to create a beautiful wedding invitation that represents the couple and communicates the vital details of the wedding.

Choose the type of paper you will use for your invitations, e.g. smooth, cotton or eggshell paper

When it comes to choosing the type of paper for your wedding invitations, there are several options to consider, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. Here are some detailed insights to help you make an informed decision:

Smooth Paper

Smooth paper, also known as solid white cardstock, is a popular choice for wedding invitations. It has a matte finish and a smooth texture, giving it a sleek and elegant appearance. Smooth paper is usually made from tree pulp and comes in a variety of colours and weights, making it versatile and cost-effective. This type of paper is particularly suitable for photo printing and is often the most budget-friendly option. It is commonly used for home printing and can produce high-quality results with the right printer settings.

Cotton Paper

Cotton paper, on the other hand, offers a more luxurious and premium feel. It is made from 100% cotton, resulting in a soft and smooth texture. Cotton paper is highly absorbent, making it ideal for both laser and inkjet printing. Its ability to absorb ink effectively allows for richer and more vibrant colours. Cotton paper is also known for its durability and lack of imperfections, ensuring a flawless finish for your invitations. However, it is generally more expensive than other types of paper.

Eggshell Paper

Eggshell paper, as the name suggests, has a subtle toothiness or texture to it. It falls somewhere between smooth paper and cotton paper in terms of finish. Eggshell paper provides a nice middle ground, offering a slight texture without being too fibrous. It is often used by invitation designers and can add a touch of elegance to your wedding invitations. Eggshell paper is also known for its ability to hide imperfections, making it a forgiving choice for home printing.

Other Options

While smooth, cotton, and eggshell papers are some of the most popular choices, there are several other types of paper to consider:

• Linen cardstock: Features a delicate woven texture that mimics the fabric, adding a touch of sophistication.
• Parchment: A thin, semi-translucent paper with a subtle marbled appearance, perfect for intimate weddings.
• Felt: A unique cardstock with a texture similar to canvas, giving invitations a sophisticated look.
• Kraft/Recycled cardstock: A rustic option resembling coarse brown paper, ideal for vintage or outdoor-themed weddings.
• Vellum: A translucent paper that can be used as an overlay or accent, adding depth and interest to your invitations.
• Coloured cardstock: Smooth and cohesive option for pairing with coloured envelopes, available in various colours and weights.
• Wood grain cardstock: Embossed with a subtle wood grain texture, perfect for accents and enclosure cards.
• Laid cardstock: Features subtle vertical ridges, offering a soft and romantic feel for a unique touch.

Paper Weight Considerations

In addition to the type of paper, consider the weight or thickness. Cardstock weight is typically measured in pounds (#) or grams per square meter (gsm). Heavier weights, such as 110 lb or higher, tend to give invitations a more luxurious and professional look. However, it's important to ensure that your chosen paper weight is compatible with your printer to avoid issues like jamming or smudging.

Decide on a printing method, such as digital printing, foil stamping or letterpress printing

When it comes to deciding on a printing method for your wedding invitation business, there are several options to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is an in-depth look at some of the most popular printing methods:

Digital Printing

Digital printing is a cost-effective and fast option that produces high-quality results. It uses thousands of tiny ink dots to form letters and designs on flexible thinner paper. While it may not offer the same dynamic ink appearance as other methods, it allows for a wide range of colour choices. Digital printing is ideal for casual or funky wedding styles and couples on a tight timeline or budget.

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping creates a metallic design on the invitation, leaving an impression similar to letterpress printing. This "dry printing" method uses a heated copper plate to push the foil into the paper. It is considered one of the most expensive printing processes and is often outsourced, resulting in a longer turnaround time. Foil stamping is perfect for a luxe or romantic wedding but can also be used for whimsical and casual invites.

Letterpress Printing

Letterpress printing is a labour-intensive method that creates a textural and sophisticated look. It involves etching text or an image in reverse on a raised surface, typically a plate, and coating it with ink to produce a physical impression on the paper. This method requires soft, bulky paper, such as thick card stock or cotton fibre, and is best suited for traditional designs. Letterpress printing is usually one of the priciest printing methods, but some stationers offer lower-priced options with limited customisation.

Other Methods

Other printing methods include engraving, thermography, offset printing (lithography), and UV and thermographic printing. Engraving is one of the most expensive methods, creating raised letters on the front and indented letters on the back of the invitation, ideal for ultra-formal affairs. Thermography achieves a similar look at a lower cost, using a heat-based process that fuses ink and resinous powder. Offset printing is similar to digital printing but with a higher quality and slightly higher price, making it a great budget-friendly option. UV and thermographic printing are heat-based methods that create a slight shine on raised lettering and are suitable for all types of paper.

Determine whether to sell your invitations on a platform like Etsy or on your own website

When it comes to selling wedding invitations, there are two main options: using a platform like Etsy or creating your own website. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before making a decision.

Etsy

Etsy is the world's largest online marketplace for handmade goods, and it offers several benefits for sellers:

• Easy to set up and maintain: Etsy provides a simple and user-friendly interface for sellers to list their products and manage their shop.
• Low startup cost and fees: Compared to building and hosting your own website, Etsy has relatively low fees for listing items and transactions.
• Access to a large customer base: With over 80 million buyers, Etsy provides an opportunity to reach a wide audience and potential customers.
• Quick cash injection: Etsy can be a great way to generate initial sales and bring in revenue quickly.

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider:

• Ranking in search results: It can take some time and effort to understand how to optimise your listings to rank higher in Etsy's search results.
• Limited control over shop design and layout: You are restricted by Etsy's platform in terms of customising the look and feel of your shop.
• Brand visibility: With so many other sellers on Etsy, your brand may get "lost" among the competition.
• Changes in Etsy's rules and policies: As an online marketplace, Etsy can implement changes that may affect your business, although these changes are usually in the best interest of sellers.

Own Website

Creating your own website gives you more control and ownership over your brand and online presence:

• Full control over website and brand: You can design and customise your website to align with your brand image and style.
• Professional appearance: A well-designed website can make your business look more established and credible.
• Ownership and control over terms and policies: You set the rules and policies for your own website, rather than adhering to Etsy's guidelines.

However, there are also challenges and considerations when creating your own website:

• Time-consuming setup: Building a website, especially one that includes e-commerce capabilities and complex pricing structures, can take a significant amount of time.
• High setup and maintenance costs: The costs of hosting and maintaining your own website can be significantly higher than the fees associated with Etsy.
• Time and effort for maintenance and management: You are solely responsible for keeping your website up-to-date, fixing any issues, and ensuring smooth payment processing.
• Building an audience from scratch: It can take time and effort to build a loyal customer base and find the right vendors and partners to network with.

Combining Both Approaches

One option is to utilise both platforms by initially using Etsy as a secondary revenue stream while building up your own website and audience. You can create a simple website with information about your business and services, and then include a "Shop Now" button or hyperlink that directs customers to your Etsy shop. Once your business grows and you feel ready, you can add e-commerce capabilities to your website and start selling directly to customers.

Frequently asked questions