Crafting Acrylic Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Acrylic wedding invitations are a unique and modern way to invite guests to your wedding. Acrylic is a transparent plastic material that is stiff, clear, and lightweight. It can be dressed up for a luxurious design or dressed down for a minimalist look, making it adaptable to any wedding aesthetic. Creating your own acrylic invitations can be difficult and expensive, but it is possible to find affordable options online or by using vinyl. When choosing an acrylic invitation, consider the thickness of the material and the mailing costs, as these invitations may require special packaging to ensure they arrive intact.

Design ideas: pressed florals, gold writing, or black and moody floral prints

Pressed florals, gold writing, and black and moody floral prints are all stunning design ideas for acrylic wedding invitations.

Pressed Florals

Pressed dried florals can be sandwiched between two pieces of acrylic for a beautiful, natural effect. You could opt for a minimalist design with pressed florals as a pretty, colourful detail, or go big and bold with a suite of blooms. If you're feeling creative, you could even press your own flowers and create a truly unique invitation.

Gold Writing

Gold writing on acrylic brings a classic style into the modern era. It's a great way to add a touch of elegance and glamour to your invitations. You could also consider using gold foil to make your invites really shine.

Black and Moody Floral Prints

Acrylic invitations don't have to be light and airy. Black and moody floral prints add a touch of drama and can be a great way to showcase your wedding's aesthetic. You could also incorporate dark florals with other design elements, such as gold foil, to create a truly unique invitation.

When designing your acrylic wedding invitations, it's important to consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding and your budget. Acrylic invitations can range in price, with more complex designs featuring multiple pieces or layered effects costing more. However, with a bit of creativity, you can create stunning invitations that will wow your guests.

DIY vs. buying: Cricut Maker, Etsy, BasicInvite, or independent retailers

If you're looking for unique and stylish wedding invitations, acrylic invitations are a great option. They offer a sleek and minimalist look that can be dressed up or down to fit any wedding aesthetic. Here's a comparison of DIY options using a Cricut Maker versus buying from online retailers like Etsy, BasicInvite, or independent retailers.

DIY with Cricut Maker

Creating your own acrylic wedding invitations can give you the flexibility to customize every detail to your liking. A Cricut Maker is a cutting machine that can be used to cut various materials, including acrylic. With this machine, you can design and cut your own acrylic invitations at home. However, it's important to note that creating invitations from scratch can be time-consuming and may require a certain level of craftsmanship to achieve a polished look. The cost of creating your own invitations will depend on the materials you choose and the complexity of your design. Cricut Maker machines can be purchased or sometimes found at a discount, and the company often offers sales on the vinyl and other materials needed for your project.

Buying Online

If you prefer the convenience of purchasing pre-made invitations, there are several online retailers that offer acrylic wedding invitations.

Etsy

Etsy is a popular online marketplace for handmade and customized items, including wedding invitations. You can find a wide variety of acrylic invitation designs on Etsy, ranging from simple and elegant to luxurious and intricate. Many Etsy sellers offer personalized options, allowing you to customize the invitations to match your wedding theme and color palette. The prices for acrylic invitations on Etsy can vary, but you can often find affordable options, with some invitations starting as low as $0.20 each during sales.

BasicInvite

BasicInvite is another online retailer that offers premade designs for acrylic wedding invitations. They provide a more budget-friendly option for those who want the convenience of ordering online without sacrificing style. BasicInvite allows you to customize your invitations with different colors, fonts, and sizes to match your wedding theme.

Independent Retailers

In addition to well-known sites like Etsy and BasicInvite, you can also explore independent retailers, who often specialize in custom acrylic invitations. These retailers typically offer a range of thicknesses, colors, and design options to choose from. While their prices may be higher, independent retailers can provide a more personalized experience and work closely with you to create invitations that perfectly coordinate with your special day.

Whether you decide to DIY your acrylic wedding invitations or purchase them from an online retailer, there are plenty of options to suit your style and budget. DIY invitations with a Cricut Maker offer creativity and customization, while buying from sites like Etsy, BasicInvite, or independent retailers provides convenience and a wide variety of design choices. Consider your time constraints, budget, and desired level of customization when making your decision.

Acrylic types: clear, frosted, mirror, custom blends, or coloured

Acrylic is a transparent plastic material that is stiff in texture, clear to the eye, and looks just like glass. It is a versatile material that can be adapted to fit any wedding aesthetic. Acrylic wedding invitations come in many different forms, colours, and thicknesses. Here are some of the most popular types of acrylic to consider for your wedding invitations:

Clear Acrylic

Clear acrylic is the most common type of acrylic used for wedding invitations. It is transparent and clear, allowing for a sleek and minimalist design. Clear acrylic can be dressed up for a luxe design or dressed down for a more simple and elegant look.

Frosted Acrylic

Frosted acrylic has a special reflective look and is opaque, which adds a unique touch to your wedding invitations. It is a strong, lightweight, and rigid material that is ideal for signage, mirror replacements, and illuminated displays. Frosted acrylic has a protective film that can be peeled off after fabrication to reveal a scratch-resistant surface.

Mirror Acrylic

Mirror acrylic is a reflective surface that is often used as a decorative element in merchandising displays. It is a less expensive and lighter alternative to glass mirrors. Mirrored plexiglass sheets are strong, lightweight, and shatter-resistant, making them a popular choice for applications where safety is a concern.

Custom Blends

Custom blends of acrylic can be created to make your wedding invitations stand out. For example, you can create a custom blend that resembles marble or quartz, adding a touch of luxury to your invitations.

Coloured Acrylic

Acrylic can be created in virtually any colour to match your wedding theme or aesthetic. Coloured acrylic sheets are available in a range of opaque and transparent colours, allowing you to add a pop of colour to your wedding invitations.

When choosing the type of acrylic for your wedding invitations, consider the overall design and aesthetic you wish to achieve. Discuss your design goals with your designer and ask any questions to ensure you are happy with the final product.

Thickness: acrylic invitations are usually 1/8-inch thick, but can vary

When it comes to the thickness of acrylic wedding invitations, the standard thickness is an eighth of an inch (0.08" or 2mm). However, the thickness can vary depending on your preference. Some companies offer acrylic invites with thicknesses of 0.02" (0.5mm) and 0.04" (1mm).

Acrylic invitations with a standard thickness of an eighth of an inch offer a sturdy and durable option. They are thick enough to provide a premium feel and ensure that the invitations are not too flimsy. This thickness also allows for a variety of design options, such as printing, laser cutting, and layering with other materials.

On the other hand, thinner acrylic invitations with a thickness of 0.02" or 0.04" can be a more lightweight and budget-friendly option. These thinner invitations may be more flexible and easier to work with, especially if you are considering DIY options. They can still provide a sleek and modern look, similar to the standard thickness invitations.

The thickness of your acrylic invitations will also impact the mailing process. Thicker invitations may require special packaging, such as boxes or padded envelopes, to ensure they arrive intact. They will also be heavier, resulting in higher postage costs. If you opt for thinner invitations, they may be more flexible and able to be mailed in standard envelopes, potentially saving you money on postage.

Ultimately, the decision on the thickness of your acrylic invitations depends on your personal preference, design choices, and budget. Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve, the number of invitations you need to mail, and the cost implications when deciding on the thickness that best suits your needs.

Mailing: protective packaging, special boxes, or padded envelopes

When it comes to mailing your acrylic wedding invitations, you'll want to ensure they are packaged securely and attractively. Here are some options for protective packaging, special boxes, and padded envelopes:

Protective Packaging

If you're concerned about your invitations getting damaged in the mail, you can consider adding an extra layer of protection. Clear plastic sleeves or bags can be used to enclose the invitations, preventing smudges or tears. This is especially useful if your invitations have intricate details or attachments that need to be kept secure.

Special Boxes

Using boxes to mail your acrylic invitations will definitely make a statement and impress your guests. You can choose from a variety of options, such as:

• Handmade mailing boxes in assorted colours, with custom size options available. These boxes can feature durable coated cardboard and secure closure mechanisms.
• Luxury boxes with foil-stamped lids in colours like pearl white or black with gold foil.
• Customisable paper boxes with foil monograms or logos, available in colours like silver or black.
• Elegant mailing boxes in colours like navy blue, featuring sturdy cardboard and lift lids.
• Vintage-style boxes with printed logos or graphics, adding a unique touch.

Padded Envelopes

Padded envelopes provide a balance between security and elegance. They are ideal for invitations that are slightly more flexible or less fragile than rigid acrylic. Options include:

• Luxury padded envelopes in a range of colours and sizes, including C5, C6, C7, DL, square, and RSVP.
• Textured, pearlescent, or metallic padded envelopes for a touch of glamour.
• Eco-friendly options like eco-padded envelopes made from kraft paper or recycled materials.

Remember to choose packaging that suits the size and shape of your acrylic invitations, and consider customisation options to add a personal touch.

Frequently asked questions