Creating Wood Veneer Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wood veneer wedding invites are a unique, rustic, and sustainable way to invite your guests to your wedding. Wood veneer is when high-quality wood with beautiful grain is sliced into thin sheets, often layered with glue in between or backed onto a cheaper cut of wood. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to create your own wood veneer wedding invites, from choosing the right type of wood veneer to adding your personal touches through stamps and other creative techniques.

Choosing the right type of wood veneer

Wood veneer is when high-quality wood with a beautiful grain is sliced into thin sheets and often layered with glue in between or backed onto a cheaper cut of wood. There are several types of veneer available, but flexible wood veneer is probably the best option for wedding invites as it is easier to cut and work with.

When choosing the right type of wood veneer for your wedding invites, you should consider the following:

• Type of wood: Different types of wood have different grains and colours, so choose a wood that you think will look good with your wedding theme and colours. Some options include birch, cherry, oak, maple, teak, burl, mahogany, ash, bamboo, cypress, elm, hickory, pecan, and zebrawood.
• Backing: Veneer can come unbacked, paper-backed, or two or three-ply. Unbacked veneer is more fragile as it has no underlying structure, while paper-backed veneer has more stability, and two or three-ply veneer is less flexible but sturdier as it is backed with another sheet of wood.
• Thickness and size: The thickness and size of the veneer will depend on the size and shape of your wedding invites. Make sure to read the descriptions carefully when purchasing veneer.
• Samples: Consider ordering samples of veneer to test out before purchasing a large quantity. Some suppliers offer veneer sample books or starter kits that include a variety of different wood veneers and backings.
• Printing: If you plan on printing directly onto the veneer, make sure to use a printer that works well with thick papers and has a flat bed so the veneer goes through smoothly. Keep in mind that the ink may not take to the veneer as expected, and the colours may vary from what you see on your computer screen.
• Kate's Paperie: Offers a small variety of wood veneer paper, including birch, cherry, mahogany, and pine.
• Rockler Woodworking and Hardware: Offers good prices and a nice variety of flexible and two-ply veneers, as well as a reasonably priced starter kit.
• VeneerSupplies.com: Deals mostly with larger sheets of veneer but has a nice variety and a sample book for experimentation.
• Ovis: Offers a variety of larger sheets of veneer, including Bird's Eye Maple, Rosewood, Teak, and Walnut.
• Oakwood Veneer Company: Has a wide range of wood veneer options, including Ash, Bamboo, Cypruss, Elm, Hickory, Pecan, Zebrawood, and more.
• EBay: Has a nice variety of veneers, but be sure to read the descriptions carefully for thickness and size.

With these tips in mind, you can start exploring the wide world of wood veneer to create unique and memorable wedding invitations for your big day.

Cutting the veneer to size

To cut the veneer to size, you will need to get your hands on some veneer sheets, a rotary cutter or an x-acto knife, a straight edge (a ruler will do), and a cutting mat.

First, lay your veneer sheet on a hard, flat surface. You can use an A6 (4 1/2″ x 6 1/4″) piece of wood veneer, or cut it to your desired size. If you're a beginner, you can purchase veneer sample books or starter kits that contain a variety of sizes and wood types.

When you're ready to cut, use your rotary cutter or x-acto knife along with the straight edge to make your cuts. You may need to go over the same area a few times to get a clean cut, especially if you're working with a multi-ply veneer. If you want to create more exotic shapes, a heavy-duty pair of sharp scissors should do the trick.

Once you've cut your veneer to size, you can move on to the next steps of designing and assembling your wedding invitations.

Printing on wood veneer

Wood veneer wedding invites are a unique and creative way to invite guests to your wedding. The process of printing on wood veneer is not too difficult, but it does require some specialised materials and equipment. Here is a step-by-step guide on printing on wood veneer for wedding invites:

Step 1: Choosing the Right Wood Veneer

Firstly, you need to select the type of wood veneer you want to use for your wedding invites. There are various types of wood veneer available, including birch, cherry, oak, maple, teak, burl, and mahogany. You can also choose between unbacked, paper-backed, and two or three-ply veneer. Unbacked veneer is more fragile, while paper-backed veneer has more stability, and two or three-ply veneer is less flexible but sturdier.

Step 2: Sourcing the Materials

Once you have decided on the type of wood veneer, you need to source the materials. There are several suppliers that offer wood veneer sheets, such as Kate's Paperie, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, VeneerSupplies.com, Ovis, and Oakwood Veneer Company. These suppliers offer a range of wood veneer options, including different types of wood and backings. It is recommended to purchase a starter kit or sample book to experiment with different types of veneer.

Step 3: Preparing the Design

Before printing on the wood veneer, you need to create your wedding invite design. You can use programmes like Corjl or Canva to design your invites. Keep in mind that the design should be relatively simple, as intricate details may not print well on the wood veneer. The design should also accommodate for any potential variations in colour due to the natural grain of the wood.

Step 4: Printing

When it comes to printing on wood veneer, you have a few options. You can use a laser printer, inkjet printer, or explore techniques like letterpress, Gocco, or screen printing. It is important to note that laser printers are generally more suitable for printing on wood veneer, as they can handle thicker materials. Inkjet printers may not produce the best results, and you will need to source inkjet-printable veneer specifically.

Step 5: Finalising the Invites

After printing, you may want to add some final touches to your invites. This could include embellishments like lace, envelopes, or ribbons. You can also combine the wood veneer invites with paper cards to reduce costs or create a unique, mixed-media invitation suite.

Creating wood veneer wedding invites is a fun and creative project, but it can be time-consuming and may require some experimentation. However, the end result will be a beautiful and unique invitation that your guests are sure to admire.

Suppliers of wood veneer

Wood veneer is available from a variety of suppliers, with some specialising in specific types of veneer or products. Here is a list of suppliers to consider for your wedding invites:

• Cards of Wood: This family-owned business has been operating for over 58 years and is one of the few manufacturers producing micro-thin veneers. They offer a range of veneer products, including business cards, postcards, and other custom wood items.
• Paperlust: Specialising in wooden wedding invitations, Paperlust offers a range of design styles, including vintage, rustic, beach-inspired, and simple invitations. They also provide customisation options and sample packs to help you choose the perfect wood grain cardstock.
• WiseWood Veneer: As a leading wood veneer supplier in the US and Canada, WiseWood Veneer offers a wide range of domestic and exotic wood veneer products. They are known for their high-quality, eco-friendly products and their dedication to understanding their customers' needs.
• VeneerSupplies.com: This website offers a large selection of domestic and exotic veneer options, including paper-backed veneer and veneer match-maker tools. They also provide veneering tools, supplies, and adhesives for your projects.
• Rockler Woodworking and Hardware: Rockler offers flexible and two-ply veneers at good prices, along with a starter veneer kit.
• Kate's Paperie: While offering a smaller variety of wood veneer paper, including birch, cherry, mahogany, and pine, Kate's Paperie is a good option if you're purchasing other paper goods and want to explore veneer.
• Oakwood Veneer Company: With an extensive range of wood veneer options, Oakwood Veneer Company has everything from ash to zebrawood.
• Local paperies: Visiting local paper stores or paperies can be a great way to find unique options and seek advice from experts. For example, the Boston-based paperie Rugg Road Paper offers wood paper.

These suppliers can be a great source of inspiration and guidance as you embark on creating your own wood veneer wedding invites. Be sure to explore their websites or get in touch with them to learn more about their products and services.

Using rubber stamps

Rubber stamps are a great way to add a unique, natural touch to your wedding invites. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create beautiful wood veneer wedding invitations using rubber stamps:

Step 1: Gather your supplies

You will need wood veneer sheets, rubber stamps, ink pads in your chosen colours, envelopes, cards, and rustic twine. The wood veneer sheets can be cut to size using scissors, and you can choose from a variety of different woods such as birch, cherry, oak, or maple.

Step 2: Stamp your invitations

Lay a piece of wood veneer on a hard, flat surface. Ink your invitation stamp evenly using your chosen colour, and centre it over the wooden card. Press down firmly and evenly on the stamp, then lift and allow the ink to dry overnight.

Step 3: Print your reply card

Use a smaller stamp and card for your reply card. Choose a colour that coordinates with your invitation suite, such as moss green. You can also experiment with different types of wood veneer and stamps to see what combination you like best.

Step 4: Stamp your return address

Use the same return address stamp on both your outer envelope and reply envelope to save money. Printing on envelopes can be costly, so this is a great way to stick to your budget.

Step 5: Assemble and send

Use rustic twine to wrap the entire suite together, tying it with a basic knot. Address, stamp, and send your unique and natural invitations to your guests!

Additional tips:

• Experiment with different colours, stamps, and wood veneers to create your own custom design.
• You can also use rubber stamps to create thank-you notes, reception stationery, and save-the-date announcements.
• If you're looking for a more exotic wood, try suppliers like Ovis or Oakwood Veneer Company, which offer veneers such as Bird's Eye Maple, Rosewood, Teak, and Zebrawood.

Frequently asked questions