Creating Rustic Torn Stationery For Your Wedding

Wedding stationery is a crucial part of the wedding experience, from the save-the-date to the invitations to the day-of goods. Couples often opt for a cohesive look that reflects their wedding aesthetic and vibe. One way to add a unique, romantic touch to wedding stationery is by creating hand-torn or deckled edges. This technique gives the paper a soft, organic texture and a handmade feel without breaking the bank on handmade cotton paper. To achieve this look, all you need is a good quality, heavy paper and a little bit of time.

Sourcing paper and envelopes

Quantity, Size, and Type of Paper

Start by outlining all the paper components you plan to include in your invitations. Create a full mock-up invitation suite using scrap paper to determine the exact quantity, size, type/thickness/brand, and colour of paper needed. Remember that if you have multiple paper components, they will all need to fit inside your chosen envelope sizes. Therefore, consider the thickness of the paper and how it will affect the overall size and bulk of the invitation suite.

Envelope Sizing

When it comes to envelope sizing, you may want to consider having multiple envelopes per guest. For example, an outer durable envelope and a more fragile, decorative inner envelope. Alternatively, you could opt for just one envelope per guest. The number of envelopes will impact the size and thickness of the paper components that go inside, so decide on this early on.

Paper and Envelope Sources

There are various online and physical stores that offer wedding paper and envelopes, such as The Paper Mill Store, Amazon, and Cards & Pockets. When sourcing your paper and envelopes, be mindful of potential stock outages and supply chain issues. It's advisable to start the sourcing process early to avoid delays and ensure you have all the supplies you need.

Paper and Envelope Options

When choosing your paper and envelopes, you have a variety of options to consider, including:

• Colour: Popular wedding colours include white, ivory, natural, silver, gold, copper, clear, and black.
• Finish: Smooth, metallic, linen, or vellum.
• Size: Standard envelope sizes include A1, A2, A6, and A7.
• Weight/Thickness: Heavier weights, such as cardstock, tend to be more durable and are often used for invitations. Lighter weights, such as vellum, can be used for envelope liners or belly bands.

By carefully considering these factors and starting your sourcing process early, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful and unique wedding stationery.

Creating a template

To create a template for your wedding stationery, you can use a program such as Microsoft Publisher, PowerPoint, Word, Google Docs, or Google Sheets. Start by opening a letter-size page and creating a text box that is 3.75" x 2.25" with a narrow, light-coloured border. Fill the page with these text boxes, leaving ample space between them. You should be able to fit four place cards on a letter-size cardstock.

If you plan to hand-calligraph the names, print the templates at this stage. If not, use your chosen computer font to add the names to each place card, leaving a 1/2" to 1" margin on the left side for the ribbon.

If you are creating a faux deckled edge, be sure to add a sizable border around each text box to allow for the ripping process.

Printing the design

The first step in the printing process is to select your desired fonts and design the layout of the entire wedding stationery suite. This involves creating .psd files in the required sizes for each card and deciding on the wording, layout, and any special quotes or other design elements you want to include. This is your chance to get creative, so feel free to experiment and have fun with it!

Once you have your designs ready, you can start thinking about the printing method you want to use. There are several options to choose from, including digital flat printing, thermography, letterpress, and foil printing. The right method for you will depend on your budget, the desired look and feel of your invitations, and the complexity of your designs.

If you're looking for a cost-effective option that still offers maximum impact, digital flat printing is a great choice. This method uses enormous digital print machines operated by trained professionals to produce full-colour designs with excellent coverage. Watercolour artwork, for example, can only be printed using this method.

Thermography is another affordable option that adds a bit of texture to your invitations. It involves heat and resins to create a raised, textured, and embossed look. This technique works especially well with metallic colours like gold and silver but can also create beautiful depth with other ink colours.

For a more romantic or traditional look, letterpress is a popular choice. This method involves unique-to-you photopolymer plates being created and then run through a letterpress machine by hand, stamping the ink into the paper to create a deep impression. While letterpress can be more expensive due to the custom plates and labour-intensive process, the pillowy texture it produces is well worth the investment for many couples.

Foil printing is similar to letterpress but with the addition of a hot surface and foil, resulting in a luxurious and shiny finish. This method is perfect for couples who want to add a bit of "bling" to their invitations or incorporate metallic accents. It tends to be more costly than letterpress and is typically suited for bigger budgets.

After selecting your printing method, you'll need to choose the type of paper you want to use. A cover weight stock is generally recommended for the cards in your suite, as it has a heavier and more formal feel than standard printer paper. The weight of this paper is typically around 100-120 "pounds". You can also opt for duplexing, which combines two sheets of paper to create a thicker, more luxurious feel.

In terms of colour, you'll want to keep in mind that the base colour of the paper will affect the printed colour. Warmer, more yellow-based papers will give printed colours a warmer tone, while bright white paper will result in purer tones.

Finally, don't forget to include trim marks on your print so that you have guidelines to follow when it comes time to tear the paper for that beautiful torn-edge effect!

Tearing the paper

Firstly, it is important to select a good-quality, heavy paper with a bit of texture. This will form the base of your invitation cards. When printing your invitation design, ensure that you include trim marks to guide you during the tearing process.

Before tearing, use a ruler to line up one side of the invitation, pressing down firmly to keep the ruler in place. Then, slowly start ripping the paper against the straight edge of the ruler, making short tears. Change the direction slightly as you rip to create variation. Repeat this process for all sides of the invitation card.

An optional step is to use a paintbrush to add a light line of water along the trim lines. This helps to create an uneven tear and adds further variation to the paper's edges. You can also use a paper scorer to create a deeper fold before tearing, or an Exacto knife to score the paper very lightly for a smoother transition from the card to the edge.

If you are creating multiple invitations, it is important to note that each one will be unique due to variations and imperfections in the tearing process. This adds to the handmade charm, and there is no pressure to create identical results each time.

Finally, finish off your wedding stationery suite with coordinating envelopes and accessories, such as envelope liners and wax seals, to complete the look.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your wedding stationery, it's time to add some final flourishes. Here are some ideas for finishing touches to elevate your wedding card suite:

Die-cutting: This is a great way to add a unique shape to your stationery. A metal die can be used to cut the paper into any shape you like, such as rounded edges, a modern arch, or a traditional crest. Laser cutters are also becoming more affordable, allowing you to explore more intricate shapes like a delicate flower or a city skyline.

Edge painting, foiling, and beveling: If you've chosen double thick paper, consider taking it up a notch with these techniques. Bevelled edges are created by machine drilling to reveal the layers inside the paper, adding weight and texture. Painted edges are just that – a pop of colour on the sides of your paper. Foiled edges add a subtle shine for a luxurious feel.

Deckled edge paper finishing: For a rustic, handmade look, consider adding a deckled edge to your paper. This can be done by hand or with a unique "deckled edge" ruler if your paper doesn't have raw edges.

Duplexing: This process involves combining two sheets of paper to create a double thick stock, adding a sense of luxury to your stationery.

Scoring, folding, drilling, or perforating: Depending on the design of your suite, you may need to include some of these finishing techniques. For example, if you have cards that need to be folded or require holes for ribbons or grommets.

Wax seals: Wax seals are a great way to add texture and personality to your suite. You can use metallics or pops of colour, and even add a monogram or motif. They can be used on the outside of your envelope or directly on your invitation.

Ribbon or twine: Finish off your suite with a belly band made of ribbon, twine, embroidery floss, velvet string, or leather cord. This will keep all the pieces of your suite together, ensuring your guests don't miss any important inserts.

Frequently asked questions