Airline Ticket Wedding Invites: Creative Diy Guide

Airline ticket wedding invitations are a unique and creative way to invite guests to your wedding. Perfect for destination weddings or globetrotting couples, these invitations are designed to look like real airline tickets, complete with a tearaway RSVP card and a matching envelope. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating these quirky invitations, from choosing the right paper and print technique to adding extra details such as luggage tags. We will also explore the different options available, including eco-friendly paper and gold or silver foil finishes. So, get ready to embark on a magical journey with these fun and practical airline ticket wedding invitations!

Boarding pass wedding invites

To create a realistic look and feel, the invitations are often inspired by original flight ticket designs, such as those used by Pan Am American Airlines in the 1960s. This includes replicating specific design elements, ink colours, and paper stock. The invitations can also be custom-cut to create the perfect boarding pass shape.

You can find various options for boarding pass wedding invites online, with some sites offering discounts and customisation options. For example, Etsy offers a range of boarding pass wedding invitations, including animated digital invitations and unique acrylic invitations. Zazzle also provides a range of boarding pass wedding invitations, with discounts of up to 50%.

If you're feeling creative, you can even design and print your own boarding pass wedding invites. This allows you to personalise every aspect of the invitation, from the colours and paper stock to any additional information you want to include.

Airline ticket shape

Airline ticket-shaped wedding invitations are a fun and creative way to invite your guests to your wedding, especially if you have chosen a travel theme or are planning a destination wedding.

To achieve a realistic look and feel, you can draw inspiration from original flight ticket designs, such as those used by Pan Am American Airlines in the 1960s. This includes adapting design elements, ink colours, and paper stock. You can also add extra elements like a tearaway RSVP card, a matching envelope, and even a luggage tag.

When it comes to the actual shape of the invitation, you can opt for a custom cut to create the perfect boarding pass shape. This can be done through die-cutting, a process where a custom steel rule die is used to cut out the desired shape. For a more complex design, you can also explore letterpress printing, which involves creating a copper etched printing plate and locking it into a chase for printing.

Overall, creating airline ticket-shaped wedding invitations involves a combination of design, printing, and cutting techniques to achieve the desired look and feel.

Realistic look and feel

For a truly authentic look and feel, these airline ticket wedding invitations are inspired by the original flight ticket designs used by Pan Am American Airlines in the 1960s. The invitations feature a custom cut to create the perfect boarding pass shape, a perforated tearaway for RSVP or additional information, and a matching envelope identical to those used at airports.

To achieve this realistic design, the following steps are taken:

Screen Printing

The printing process involves using mesh to transfer ink onto the surface. Our print specialists use Murakami T9 emulsion and a mesh count of 250 threads per inch to pre-coat the screens. The film negative is placed face down on the back of the screen, which is then exposed to LED light for two minutes. This process hardens the emulsion, while the areas blocked by the negative remain liquid. The unexposed emulsion is then washed away, creating a path for the ink to pass through.

Die Cutting The Envelopes

For the envelopes, we first die-cut the paper and then print the mailing information. We use a custom steel rule die to cut out the individual envelopes, which feature zipper perforation for easy opening. A creasing matrix tapered at a 45-degree angle creates score lines for a cleaner final product. At this stage, we can also add individual mailing addresses for a personalised touch.

Letterpress Printing

Letterpress printing is a timeless method that leaves unique, crisp impressions on the chosen stock. We mix the perfect colour—in this case, Pantone 3538U, the closest match to Pan Am blue. We create a copper-etched printing plate for the first pass and adhere it to a boxcar base. The ink is spread on the distributing cylinder, and the chase is set in place. After a few proofs and adjustments, we're ready to print.

Die Cutting Airline Ticket Invitations

Once the letterpress printing is complete, we clean the press and prepare for die-cutting the invitations. We use a 2-up steel rule die to form the paper into the shape of a flight ticket. Proofs are run, and adjustments are made to ensure a clean cut and that the perforations are intact.

Creating A Metallic Ink Luggage Tag

As an add-on, we can create a double-sided luggage tag using metallic ink on 20pt coated paper stock. We print with Pantone 877 (metallic silver) and Pantone 3538U. We ink the press and mount the first of three copper dies onto the boxcar base. The paper is trimmed, and proofs are run for accuracy. The process is repeated for the reverse side, with the second die rotated 180 degrees. Finally, we set up the third die and run the entire print process again for the last colour.

Die Cut The Luggage Tag

Before moving on, we clean the print and set up a steel rule cutting die to cut the luggage tags. A proof is run, and adjustments are made to ensure accurate registration. We then run the full pass.

Customising with stickers

Custom stickers are a great way to elevate your airline ticket wedding invitations. They can be used to add extra information, such as accommodation options, directions to the venue, or even song requests. You can also use them to seal envelopes, add a decorative touch, or simply to showcase your creativity.

When it comes to custom stickers, the possibilities are endless. You can choose from a variety of shapes, including custom-shaped stickers that perfectly fit your airline ticket invitations. Rectangular, square, oval, and circle stickers are all popular options that can be customised with your own designs. If you want to add a touch of luxury, consider gold, silver, or rose gold stickers, which can make your invitations stand out. Holographic stickers with a metallic, rainbow effect are also eye-catching and unique.

For a more subtle approach, transparent stickers use see-through stock and a white ink underlay to showcase your designs with rich, popping colours. Custom sticker sheets are another option, allowing you to include multiple designs or illustrations on a single sheet. This can be a great way to add variety to your invitations or to include additional information in a creative way.

When designing your custom stickers, consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding. You can incorporate your wedding colours into the sticker design to create a cohesive look. You can also add personal touches, such as your initials, wedding date, or a special message for your guests.

In terms of materials, vinyl stickers are a popular choice due to their durability and long-lasting nature. They are often scratch-resistant and weatherproof, ensuring that your stickers maintain their quality. Matte or gloss finishes are also available to enhance the appearance of your stickers and protect them from wear and tear.

Custom stickers can be a fun and functional addition to your airline ticket wedding invitations. Whether you choose to include them on the invitations themselves or as a separate element, they are a great way to add a personal touch and make your invitations even more special.

Matching envelopes

Design and Customization:

• The envelopes can be designed to mimic those used at airports, adding to the authenticity of your invitation suite.
• Consider using a custom-cut envelope with a unique shape that reflects the theme, such as a zipper perforation for easy opening.
• If you're feeling creative, you can even include custom-shaped stickers or wax seals with travel-themed designs, such as airplanes or luggage tags, to seal your envelopes securely.

Printing and Assembly:

• Before printing, ensure that the envelopes are die-cut to the correct size and shape. This ensures a precise fit for your invitations.
• For a professional finish, use letterpress printing or screen printing techniques with high-quality ink that matches your chosen colour scheme, such as the iconic Pan Am blue.
• After printing, assemble the envelopes by folding and adhering them securely.

Addressing:

• When addressing the envelopes, follow standard wedding invitation etiquette. Include the names of the invitees and their home addresses.
• For a more informal approach, you can address the inner envelope (if using one) with only the couple's title and last name.
• If you want to save paper, you can opt to use only the outer envelope, which is used for mailing and bearing postage.

Remember to proofread and double-check all the information on the envelopes, including guest names and addresses, to avoid any last-minute corrections.

Frequently asked questions