Creating Vellum Wedding Invitations: A Step-By-Step Guide

Vellum wedding invitations are a popular choice for couples who want to create a soft, dreamy, and elegant aesthetic for their big day. The translucent paper is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to make beautiful, personalised invites. In this article, we will explore different ways to make vellum wedding invitations, from printing directly on the vellum to creating vellum overlays and gatefolds. We will also provide tips and tricks for working with this delicate material and recommend the best tools and supplies to use. By the end, you will be well-equipped to create your own stunning vellum wedding invitations.

Invitation overlays

Translucent vellum paper is a popular choice for wedding invitations, as it has a soft, dreamy transparency and looks chic printed or plain. Vellum can be used in a variety of ways to create elegant, unique invitations.

One way to use vellum is as an overlay. A vellum overlay doesn't compete with the invitation or save-the-date card but instead complements it. For example, you could print an engagement photo or a piece of artwork onto the vellum and overlay it on top of the invitation. This creates a unique, layered effect. Vellum overlays can also be used as a wrap or sleeve for the invitation, keeping the ensemble neat inside the envelope and adding a decorative touch.

When creating a vellum overlay invitation, you will need to print your invitation templates in two phases. First, print the text on vellum, and then print any artwork or illustrations on high-quality cardstock. You can then layer them together using ribbon, a gold brad, or adhesive. It is important to note that when printing on vellum, you should use a high-quality printer and ensure that the ink is dry before handling to prevent smudging.

There are many creative ways to incorporate vellum overlays into your wedding invitations. You can experiment with different colours, textures, and prints to find the perfect combination for your invitations. Vellum overlays add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding stationery.

Invitation jackets

Choosing the Right Vellum Paper:

Vellum paper is available in different weights, such as 29#, 36#, and 48#. If you're using vellum as an overlay, a thinner weight like 29# can work well while still allowing the design underneath to show through. Pair it with heavier cardstock for a more substantial feel.

Sizing and Pre-folded Jackets:

Ensure your vellum invitation jackets are the right size for your invitations. Standard invitation sizes are 5" x 7", and you can find pre-folded vellum jackets in this size. Pre-folded jackets save you time and ensure a neat, professional finish.

Customisation and Design:

Vellum jackets can be customised with printed designs, such as floral prints, botanical patterns, or elegant monograms. You can also find plain vellum jackets and customise them yourself using wax seals, ribbons, or adhesives to secure them.

Assembly and Finishing Touches:

To assemble your invitations, simply slide your invitation card into the vellum jacket. You can secure the jacket with a wax seal, ribbon, or adhesive. Adding a vellum jacket elevates the look of your invitations and keeps the entire ensemble neat inside the envelope.

Invitation bands

When creating your vellum wedding invitations, consider using invitation bands made from translucent vellum paper. This will give your invitations a soft, dreamy, and chic look. You can print directly on the vellum paper, featuring a simple, elegant tone, or use it as an overlay or wrap for your invitations. If you want to add a bit of shimmer and shine, try using gold brads to secure the vellum paper around your invitations.

You can also find invitation bands in different colours and patterns, such as pure white, gold, or modern retro. If you're looking for something more luxurious, consider bands with premium shimmery metallic paper or laser-cut intricate patterns. These bands will definitely leave a lasting impression on your guests.

When arranging your invitation suite with a belly band, place the invitation pieces inside the band in size order, with the largest piece at the bottom. This could include your formal invitation, reception card, enclosure cards, and reply envelope. Then, place the entire arrangement within the envelope.

With so many options available, you can easily find invitation bands that match your wedding style and colour palette. They are a perfect way to add a special touch to your vellum wedding invitations.

Invitation inserts

Vellum is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of ways for your wedding invitations. When it comes to inserts, you can choose to use lightweight or heavyweight vellum, depending on your desired effect. If you want the insert to be more delicate and translucent, go for the lightweight option. On the other hand, if you want a sturdier and more opaque insert, opt for heavyweight vellum cardstock.

For lightweight vellum inserts, you can create invitation overlays, jackets, gatefolds, wraps, sleeves, or bands. These can be left blank or printed with a simple design. Using this type of vellum will give your invitations a soft and dreamy look. You can secure the vellum inserts with ribbon, seals, or adhesives, adding a touch of elegance to your invitations.

Heavyweight vellum, on the other hand, is perfect for creating stand-alone invitation insert cards. These can include reception, direction, or additional information cards. While not as colourful, heavyweight vellum still adds a touch of sophistication to your invitations. Just remember to score the cardstock before folding to avoid cracking and to achieve a clean, professional fold.

When designing your invitation inserts, keep it simple. Choose designs without coloured backgrounds and use a single, dark ink colour, with black being the safest choice. Stay away from photos, intricate artwork, and fully coloured backgrounds, especially if you're DIY printing, as they use a lot of ink and can be delicate to work with.

Finally, when printing on vellum, always handle it with care. Avoid touching the surface of the vellum, as the oils from your fingers can leave prints on the paper. Let the ink dry completely before handling the inserts further, and be sure to let your printer cool down after printing a few sheets to prevent the paper from curling.

Invitation cards

Vellum wedding invitations are a popular choice for many brides-to-be, thanks to their soft, dreamy, translucent paper that looks super chic and is incredibly versatile.

There are several ways to incorporate vellum into your wedding invitations. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Choosing a Design

When it comes to wedding invitation designs, there are endless options. If you plan to use vellum, opt for a simple design. Designs without a coloured background and a single, dark ink colour work best. Black is the safest choice, but other dark colours can also be used. Avoid designs with photos, lots of artwork, and fully coloured backgrounds if you're printing the invitations yourself, as they use a lot of ink, and vellum is delicate.

Printing

Download your chosen design and save it as a PDF. Set up multiple per page and select to add crop marks. Your printer settings will depend on your computer and software. Make sure you "fit to page" to get the correct sizing. Insert the paper into the printer and print! It is recommended to go through the full process with a sample sheet first, in case you need to make adjustments to the size, colour, or settings.

Pro Tips for Printing on Vellum

• Handle the vellum carefully and try to only touch it on the edges, as your fingers can leave prints on the paper from the oils in your skin.
• Let your design dry before trimming the paper, as the ink can smear and transfer.
• Heat can cause the paper to curl, so let your printer take a break after printing 10 sheets to cool down.

Cutting

Use a paper trimmer to cut your vellum invitations. Print extra sheets for practice, as it may take a couple of tries to get it right. Use the crop marks on the paper to line up under the trimmer blade, and trim the larger edges first to reduce the amount of cutting.

Storing

Once you've cut your paper, store it under a book or set of books to prevent curling.

Adding Extras

Pair your vellum invitation with a piece of cardstock to make the envelope thicker and add a pop of colour. You can also include a photo printed on cardstock with save-the-date information.

Other Ways to Use Vellum

In addition to the invitation itself, you can bring vellum into your day-of stationery, such as menus for place settings.

Supplies

• Vellum-friendly design
• Inkjet printer (one that drops the paper in versus pulling it up from a tray)
• Vellum paper
• Paper trimmer

Frequently asked questions