Creating Custom Acrylic Wedding Invites: A Step-By-Step Guide

Acrylic wedding invitations are a unique and modern way to invite guests to your wedding. Acrylic is a transparent plastic material that is stiff, clear, and lightweight. It can be dressed up or down to fit any wedding aesthetic and is a great way to showcase your personality. With acrylic, you can customise your invites with exciting colours, etchings, and prints. In this article, we will discuss how to make your own acrylic wedding invitations, the materials needed, and the cost. We will also provide inspiration for designs and ideas to make your invites unique.

Choosing a design

Colour

Acrylic invitations can be clear, or you can choose a custom colour blend to create a marble or quartz effect. While clear is the most popular choice for weddings, acrylic can be created in any colour. Consider your wedding colour palette and choose a colour that complements it.

Thickness

The standard thickness for acrylic invitations is an eighth of an inch, but you can choose a different thickness depending on your preference. Keep in mind that thicker invitations will be heavier and may cost more to mail.

Complexity

Acrylic invitations can range from simple, printed designs to more complex, layered effects. You can create a sophisticated look by sandwiching multiple pieces of acrylic together with other materials like pressed dried florals, moss, or hand-painted designs in between. Consider your budget and the time you have to dedicate to this project when deciding on the complexity of your design.

Customisation

Acrylic invitations can be customised in many exciting ways. You can add colour with a beautiful liner or a belly band, or incorporate natural elements like flowers or foliage. You can also add a wax seal for a regal touch. If you're feeling creative, you can even try making your own image by drying and flattening flowers or painting with acrylics, watercolours, or oils.

Font and Text

Choose a font that is easy to read and complements the overall design of your invitation. Consider the wording carefully and include all the essential information, such as the date, time, and venue of your wedding.

Size and Shape

Decide on the size and shape of your invitations. Standard sizes for acrylic invitations include 4x9, 5x7, and 6.25x6.25. You can also get creative with the shape and opt for a curved design instead of the traditional rectangular shape.

Remember to consider your budget and the time you have available when choosing a design. Discuss your design goals with your designer and ask plenty of questions to ensure you're happy with the final product.

Selecting materials

Acrylic is a stiff, transparent plastic material that looks like glass but is far more transparent and weighs less. It can be adapted to fit any wedding aesthetic, from super-luxe to minimalist. Acrylic invitations usually come in clear colour or a custom blend to resemble marble or quartz, but they can be created in any colour. The standard thickness for acrylic invitations is an eighth of an inch, but this can vary according to preference.

For a simple acrylic invitation, you will need a rigid, cut piece of acrylic with printing on it. You can print your design onto clear sticker paper and apply it to a Mylar sheet, or print directly onto a transparency and paint the back with acrylic paint to make the print stand out. You can also make vinyl cutouts of graphics and words and adhere them to Mylar sheets.

If you want to create a more complex, polished invitation, you can layer multiple pieces of acrylic with other materials such as pressed flowers, moss, or hand-painted designs. Acrylic invitations can be dressed up or down to fit any wedding aesthetic.

When selecting your materials, consider the cost. A simple, printed acrylic invitation will be more budget-friendly than a more complex, polished design. The price will also depend on the quality of the acrylic and the cut. Cheaper options may be cut with a saw blade, while higher-quality invitations will be cut with lasers and edge polishers.

You should also consider the mailing costs when selecting your materials, as acrylic invitations will require protective packaging such as special boxes or padded envelopes. The cost of mailing will depend on the size, thickness, and number of invitation suite pieces.

Printing methods

One option is to use vinyl cutouts of graphics and words, which are then adhered to mylar sheets. This method allows for customisation in terms of graphics and colours. However, it can be time-consuming as you have to weed letters out of vinyl.

Another option is to print on transparencies and then paint the back with acrylic paint to enhance the print's legibility. This method provides more flexibility in terms of graphics but requires some extra graphics editing.

If you want to add a unique touch to your invitations, consider incorporating pressed flowers, dried florals, moss, or hand-painted designs. You can also create a sleek and modern look by using gold writing and a gilded monogram on the acrylic.

For a more complex and polished look, you can layer multiple pieces of acrylic together with other materials to create framed or layered effects. This can be achieved by sandwiching two pieces of acrylic with elements from nature in between.

The standard thickness for acrylic invitations is an eighth of an inch, but this can vary depending on your preference.

Assembly and finishing touches

Once you have designed your acrylic invitations, it's time to assemble them and add those all-important finishing touches. Here are some ideas and suggestions to help you create beautiful and unique wedding invitations.

Firstly, consider using a coloured envelope with a liner. This is an easy way to add a splash of colour to your invitations and create a stylish first impression. You could also use a belly band to tie the cards together – this adds a stylish touch and can be combined with a wax seal for a regal finish that will impress your guests.

If you want to add an extra layer of protection and elegance to your invitations, you can create a vellum wrap that matches the card design. This is a popular trend that can be used with any type of wedding invitation, including acrylic. You could also add a pocket to the invitation to hold additional cards, such as RSVP cards or information sheets.

To make your invitations truly unique, consider incorporating natural elements such as pressed flowers or dried moss. You can also add foil printings, floral designs, or etchings to the acrylic for a luxurious and personalised touch. Don't be afraid to experiment with different colours, fonts, and designs to create an invitation that truly reflects your style and the theme of your wedding.

Finally, don't forget about the packaging and mailing process. Acrylic invitations can be more fragile and heavier than traditional paper invitations, so consider using special boxes or padded envelopes to ensure they arrive intact. You can also place the invitation in a designed sleeve to add a chic touch and provide extra protection during transit.

Packaging and postage

When it comes to packaging and postage, there are a few things to keep in mind for your DIY acrylic wedding invitations. Firstly, acrylic invitations can be more fragile than traditional paper ones, so it's important to package them securely to avoid breakage during transit. Special boxes or padded envelopes are typically used to protect these invitations and ensure they arrive intact. Keep in mind that this type of packaging can add to the overall weight and size of the invitation suite, resulting in higher postage costs.

To save on postage, consider hand-delivering the invitations to guests who live nearby. For those who live farther away, you may need to factor in the additional cost of mailing these heavier invitations. Another option is to opt for a combination of acrylic and paper invitations, sending the acrylic ones as keepsakes to a smaller group, such as close family and friends, and using paper invitations for the rest of your guest list.

When preparing your acrylic invitations for mailing, make sure to package them securely, taking into account the thickness and number of pieces in the suite. You may also want to include a note requesting that the recipient handle the package with care to avoid any potential damage during delivery. Additionally, it's a good idea to research the postal rates for the specific size and weight of your invitation suite to ensure you're budgeting accurately for postage costs.

Overall, while acrylic invitations may require a bit more care and expense when it comes to packaging and postage, with proper planning and budgeting, you can successfully share these unique and modern invitations with your wedding guests.

Frequently asked questions