Creating Gatefold Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Gatefold wedding invitations are a unique way to invite your guests to your wedding. This type of card opens with two side panels that swing open like a gate, revealing the contents inside. You can secure the invitation with a paper belly band, a length of satin ribbon, or a piece of string. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of creating your own gatefold wedding invitations, from designing the layout to assembling the final product. We will also provide tips on customising your invitations to match your wedding theme and offer suggestions for adding a personal touch.

Cardstock and paper trimmer

To make gatefold wedding invitations, you will need a paper trimmer, x-acto knife, ruler, and pencil. These tools will help you cut and measure your cardstock accurately.

When choosing cardstock for your wedding invitations, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the type of printer you have will determine the kind of cardstock you can use. Different printers have varying capabilities in terms of paper thickness or weight. Home desktop printers often have limitations on the paper thickness they can handle, so it's essential to review your printer's instructions and do a test print.

Start with 80# cardstock and gradually increase the weight until you find the optimal thickness for your printer. You may also want to experiment with different print quality settings to achieve the sharpest prints. If you're using an inkjet printer, consider using textured cardstock, such as linen cardstock, to hide any imperfections.

If you plan to print at a local print shop, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, save your invitation designs on a thumb drive in a high-resolution PDF format. Secondly, use cardstock with a smooth texture, as laser printers apply a layer of ink that may not adhere well to highly textured paper. You can start with 100# cardstock and adjust the weight accordingly.

When selecting cardstock, you also have the option to choose from a variety of materials, textures, feels, and prices. Solid white cardstock is a popular choice as it is relatively inexpensive and comes in various colours and weights. Linen cardstock has a delicate woven texture that adds visual interest and can hide printing imperfections. Cotton cardstock is smooth, absorbent, and gives invitations a modern look. Parchment paper has a subtle marbled look and layers nicely with other types of cardstock. Felt cardstock has a unique texture that falls somewhere between cotton and canvas. Kraft, or recycled cardstock, has a rustic look and feel that is perfect for vintage or outdoorsy weddings. Vellum is a translucent paper that can be printed on or layered over illustrations or photos. Coloured cardstock resembles thick craft paper and comes in a variety of colours and weights, making it great for pairing with coloured envelopes. Wood grain cardstock has a subtle embossed texture and is perfect for accents like belly bands and tags. Laid cardstock has subtle vertical ridges and a soft, romantic feel.

Belly band or ribbon

A belly band is a stylish way to keep your gatefold wedding invitation neatly closed. It is like a belt that wraps around the card, keeping all the pieces together. Belly bands can be made from a variety of materials, including paper, ribbon, lace, satin, silk, or twine. They can be customised with monograms, names, dates, or other decorative elements.

To make a paper belly band, take a strip of coordinating paper and wrap it loosely around your closed invitation, with the two ends meeting at the back in the centre. Remove the invitation and glue the ends of the paper together, with one end overlapping the other. Once the glue is dry, slip the belly band back over the invitation.

For a ribbon closure, you will need to cut two vertical slits in the centre of the gatefold card. The slits should be the width of your chosen ribbon. Thread a length of ribbon (around 20 inches long) through the slits, centre it, and secure it with double-sided tape. Adhere the invitation insert onto the centre panel, on top of the ribbon. Finally, tie the invitation closed with the ribbon and finish with a bow.

You can purchase belly bands and ribbons in a variety of colours, materials, and styles from online stores such as Etsy.

Printing and editing

The printing and editing process for your gatefold wedding invitations can be done at home or by using a printing service. If you are printing at home, you will need to purchase card stock that is thick enough to be fed into your printer. It is recommended to use card stock with a weight of at least 100lb/270gsm.

Before printing, ensure that your printer settings are set to '100%' or 'Actual size' to ensure the invitations print at the correct size. Additionally, consider doing a colour check print to ensure that the colours on your screen match the printed output. This is especially important if you are printing onto different coloured card stock, as printed ink will differ on various paper stocks.

When creating the design for your invitations, use software that allows you to create a bleed of 1/8" to ensure the design reaches the edge of the card when it is cut. The resolution of your artwork and photos should be 300 dpi or higher, and the maximum file size is typically around 15MB. The accepted file types for printing are usually JPG, PNG, TIF, PDF, GIF, and AI.

Once you have finalised your design, carefully review the text for any spelling or grammatical errors. It is also a good idea to create a mock-up invitation to ensure that all the separate pieces fit together correctly. When you are happy with the design and layout, proceed to print your invitations.

If you are not comfortable with printing at home or do not have the required equipment, you can use a local print shop or online printing service. Some print shops may also offer additional services such as foil imprinting or addressing and mailing your invitations directly to your guests.

Assembly

To make gatefold wedding invitations, you will need the following:

• Cardstock
• Paper trimmer
• Xacto knife
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Adhesives (double-sided tape or a glue stick)
• Ribbon (optional)

First, prepare your card stock by cutting it to the desired size. For a basic gatefold invitation, cut your card stock to 8" x 8¼". Score and fold 2" in from each side. Set this aside.

Next, create the text and wording for your invitation using a computer. The text should fit onto a 3¾" x 8" insert with a margin of at least 1/8" on all sides. You can print two invitations on one sheet of A4 paper. Proofread your text and print a test page to ensure the measurements are correct. Cut the inserts to size.

Adhere the insert to the centre panel of the gatefold card using tape or glue. Ensure it is centred properly.

At this point, you can add a closure to keep the invitation closed. You can use a paper belly band or a length of satin ribbon. For the belly band, take a strip of coordinating paper and wrap it loosely around the closed invitation, with the two ends meeting at the back in the centre. Remove the strip from the invitation and glue the ends together, then slip it back over the closed invitation. Alternatively, you can create a ribbon tie closure by cutting two vertical slits in the centre of the gatefold card and threading a 20" length of ribbon through the slits. Secure the ribbon with double-sided tape and tie the invitation closed with a bow.

Envelopes

When it comes to envelopes, you have a few options. Firstly, you can purchase envelopes separately, which is a good idea if you want to ensure they fit your invitations perfectly. Standard A7 envelopes are a common choice for gatefold invitations, but you can also find DL-sized envelopes that will fit a 4" x 8¼" invitation. If you're ordering custom-designed invitations, you may be able to order matching envelopes from the same supplier.

If you're creating your own invitations, you can make your own envelopes, too. You'll need to measure your invitations and add about a quarter of an inch to determine the dimensions of your envelope. Choose a good quality paper that's thick enough to protect your invitation. You can find templates and tutorials online to help you with the cutting and folding.

Don't forget to consider adding a personalised touch to your envelopes with printed envelope liners or custom stickers. These can be a nice surprise for your guests when they open the envelope.

Frequently asked questions