Creating Luxurious Gold Foil Wedding Invites

Gold foil wedding invitations are a beautiful way to impress guests with an elegant, luxurious invite. But they can be expensive. So, why not make them yourself? It's easy to create gold foil invitations at home using a cheap laminator, toner reactive foil, and cardstock. You can also use a paint pen to add gold accents to your invites. With a little time and effort, you can create stunning gold foil wedding invitations that will wow your guests.

Choosing the right cardstock

When it comes to choosing the right cardstock for your gold foil wedding invitations, there are several factors to consider. The type of printer you have, the thickness of the cardstock, the texture, and the colour are all important elements that will impact the final result.

Firstly, let's talk about the type of printer you'll be using. Both laser printers and inkjet printers can be used to create gold foil invitations, but it's important to note that gold foil will only adhere to the ink from a laser printer and not an inkjet. If you use an inkjet printer, the foil may not stick properly, resulting in gaps in the artwork. Laser printers are the better option if you want a clean transfer of the gold foil.

Now, let's discuss cardstock thickness. The thickness of cardstock is measured in pounds or "lb" in the US and grams per square meter or "gsm" in Europe. Cardstock weight typically ranges from 45 lb to 300 lb or higher, with the higher the weight, the thicker the cardstock. For most home printers, 80 lb to 90 lb cardstock is ideal as it can easily feed through the printer without jamming. However, if you want to give your invitations a more professional look, you can opt for thicker cardstock like 100 lb or 110 lb. Just be sure to check your printer's specifications to ensure it can handle the thickness.

The texture of the cardstock is another important consideration. If you're using an inkjet printer, textured cardstock can help hide imperfections and give your invitations a more elegant look. Linen cardstock, for example, has a delicate woven texture that adds visual interest. On the other hand, if you're using a laser printer, it's best to use cardstock with a smooth texture as too much texture can cause issues with the ink application.

Finally, let's talk about colour. Cardstock comes in a variety of colours, and you can choose one that complements your wedding theme or colour palette. White cardstock is a classic choice for wedding invitations, but you can also opt for coloured cardstock or even black cardstock for a more dramatic look. Additionally, you can layer different colours of cardstock to add depth to your invitations.

In conclusion, when choosing the right cardstock for your gold foil wedding invitations, consider the type of printer you have, the thickness and texture of the cardstock, and your preferred colour. By selecting the right cardstock, you can create elegant and professional-looking invitations that will impress your guests.

Using a laminator

Firstly, print your chosen design onto your cardstock or paper using a laser printer. This step can also be done at a local print shop if you don't have access to a laser printer. The design must be printed in black ink, as the foil will react with the black toner to create the gold finish.

Next, cut a piece of toner-reactive foil large enough to cover the text or design. Place the foil, shiny side up, over the printed design. You may need to trim the foil to ensure it fits perfectly and doesn't get crunched in the laminator. Then, place another piece of cardstock over the foil to create a sandwich with the foil in the middle.

Now, run the sandwiched foil and paper through your laminator. It is recommended to warm up the laminator beforehand and run the paper through twice to ensure the foil properly reacts with the toner. Once it has been run through, gently peel back the foil to reveal your gold design.

If you are using thicker cardstock, you may need to adjust the settings on your laminator to a thicker setting or run it through twice. It is a good idea to test the process on some scrap paper first to ensure you achieve the desired result.

Gold foil application

One method involves using a laminator, toner-reactive foil, and a laser printer. First, print your desired text or image in black ink on card stock using a laser printer. Cut the card stock to size, turn on your laminator, and allow it to warm up. Cut a piece of toner-reactive foil large enough to cover the text or image. Place the foil against the printed panel, with the gold side facing up, and feed it into the laminator. The rollers will grab hold and pull the paper through. Once it has been through the laminator, peel back the foil to reveal the gold design. This method is suitable for larger panels; for smaller items, you may need to create a shim by folding a piece of baking paper or vellum and placing the panel and foil in the middle to provide extra support.

Another method, which is more suitable for smaller details, involves using a paint pen. Test the paint pen on a scrap piece of paper to get the paint flowing, then decide where you want the gold accents and start tracing. You can add gold borders, trace over line work, or fill in small sections. This method adds a gold foil finish without the need for specialised equipment.

If you want to apply gold foil by hand, you can use a glue stick and gold leaf sheets. Start by printing your invitations on heavy-duty card stock, then apply a light coat of glue to the areas where you want to place the gold foil. With clean hands, tear off a small piece of gold leaf and gently lay it on top of the glue, smoothing it out with your fingers to remove any air bubbles. Repeat this process for each corner or section where you want to apply gold foil. This method creates a rustic, chipped look with torn edges and a hint of paper peeking through.

Glue and gold leaf

The glue and gold leaf method for creating gold foil wedding invitations is a simple and cost-effective way to achieve a luxurious look for your big day. All you need is some heavy-duty cardstock, extra-strength glue, and gold leaf.

Start by printing your wedding invitations on the cardstock, either at home or using a professional printer. It's a good idea to print a few extras for testing. Once you have your invitations printed and trimmed, you're ready to start the gold foil application.

Take your glue and apply a light coat to the areas where you want the gold foil to adhere. A thin coat is best to prevent excess glue from showing around the edges of the gold leaf. With clean hands, carefully tear off a small sheet of gold leaf and lay it on top of the glue. Use your fingers to gently smooth out the gold leaf, removing any air bubbles and ensuring good contact with the glue.

Repeat this process for as many invitations as you need, allowing the glue to dry completely before moving on to the next step. Once the glue is dry, you can gently remove any excess gold leaf that isn't held in place by the glue. This technique will give your invitations a rustic, chipped-gold look, adding a unique and elegant touch to your wedding stationery.

This method is a great way to add a glamorous and regal feel to your wedding invitations without breaking the bank. With a little time and effort, you can create invitations that look professional and luxurious, impressing your guests and setting the tone for your special day.

Printing techniques

The gold foil printing process is a specific type of printing process that involves foil material, heated metal dies (plates), and pressure. This specialty printing process is considered a 'dry' technique as no ink is required.

Firstly, the invitation design is put onto a custom-made die (i.e. a metal plate that features the raised reversed image of the design). When the metal die is ready, the chosen foil colour is positioned between the paper and the heated metal die. Pressure is then applied to the die onto the paper, and the heat activates an adhesive within the foil. The result is a thin layer of foil transferred onto the paper, creating a beautiful foil-stamped invitation.

The foil printing process is a beautiful way to impress guests with an elegant, luxurious wedding invite. The end result is similar to letterpress, with the pressure leaving a faint indentation on the paper.

There are a few different methods to achieve gold foil printing. One way is to use a laminator and toner reactive foil. You will need to print your design onto card or paper using a laser printer and black ink. Cut a section of toner reactive foil large enough to cover the text, and place it gold-side up on top of the printed page. Run it through a hot laminator, and then gently peel back the foil to reveal the gold design.

Another method is to use a paint pen to add gold accents to your invitations. Print your design onto card or paper, and then use the paint pen to trace over the parts of the design you want to be gold. This technique is simple and effective, and your guests will hardly notice any wobbly lines.

Gold foil can also be applied by hand. Print your design onto card or paper, and apply a light coat of glue to the areas where you want to place the gold foil. With clean hands, tear off a small sheet of gold foil and gently lay it on top of the glue, smoothing out any air bubbles with your fingers. Remove any excess foil not held on by glue.

Frequently asked questions