Printing Wedding Invitations: A Cost-Effective Guide

Printing wedding invitations at home is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your big day. While it may seem daunting, it can be a simple and budget-friendly alternative to outsourcing. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about printing your own wedding invitations, from designing to paper choices and printer settings. We will also provide expert tips and tricks to ensure your invitations look professional and elegant. So, whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just looking to save some money, read on to find out how to print wedding invitations at home for free.

Choose a word processing or design software to create your invitations

Choosing a word processing or design software is an important step in creating your wedding invitations. While any basic word processing program can be used to create simple wedding invitations, you may want to opt for professional desktop publishing or design software if you're after more elaborate invitation designs.

Adobe Illustrator is recommended by Thomas Waters, Senior Sales at The Renaissance, for those designing or printing invitations at home. Waters notes that "you will want to be able to open the file and print without issue" and that "it is important that you can easily go in and adjust the size if you’re printing invitations on specialty paper."

Canva is another program that is recommended for creating invitations. It simplifies the invitation-making process and is free to use. With Canva, you can utilise customisable templates and drag-and-drop features to design your invitations with ease.

If you're looking for pre-designed invitation templates, Etsy and Creative Market are great options. Etsy offers a wide range of customisable templates, and you can usually discuss any required personalisation and details with the shop owner before purchasing. Creative Market is another excellent resource for unique illustrations, offering downloadable files for personal projects.

Select the fonts for the invitation

Selecting the perfect font for your wedding invitations is an important task. The font you choose will convey subtle things about your wedding aesthetic and set the tone for your event. It should give your guests an idea of how formal the event will be, how they should dress, and what kind of feeling they can expect.

There are thousands of fonts available for personal or commercial use, and it can be overwhelming to sift through them all. To simplify the process, it's essential to consider your wedding theme and style. If you're having an eclectic wedding in Palm Springs, a funky, retro typeface might be ideal. On the other hand, a romantic garden-inspired wedding might call for a font that complements the romantic vibe and translates well into a monogram design.

Another critical aspect to keep in mind is legibility. While some fonts may look attractive, they might be challenging to read, especially if they are highly scripted or thin. Opt for fonts that are easy to read and consider using accent fonts to highlight specific information, such as names or the wedding date.

• Great Vibes + Montserrat: This classic combination pairs a legible cursive font with a sans serif font for a stylish and elegant look.
• Playfair Display + Montserrat Light: This pairing exudes timeless elegance with a serif font and a linear font that accentuates the design without overpowering it.
• Josefina + Times New Roman: A unique combination where the sans serif font, Josefina, takes the headline role, while the supporting serif font, Times New Roman, adds harmony.
• Bodoni + Josefin Sans: Bodoni is a modern font with high contrast between thick and thin strokes, while Josefin Sans is a geometric vintage-inspired font, creating a beautiful vintage-contemporary pair.
• Pinyon Script + Forum: Pinyon Script is a classic script font often used in royal weddings, and pairing it with a serif font like Forum adds a touch of tradition and elegance.
• Champagne and Limousines + Libre Baskerville: This delicate and flexible sans serif font designed by Lauren Thompson offers a balanced look and is free for personal use.

Remember, the font you choose should reflect your style and complement your wedding theme. You can also consider using two or three fonts in your design, but be mindful of readability and ensuring the fonts pair well together.

Plan your customisation

Planning your customisation is a key step in the process of printing your own wedding invitations. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your customisation:

Choose a design template

There are many websites that offer customisable invitation templates. Etsy, Creative Market, and stock photography websites are some of the recommended options. When choosing a template, consider the following:

• Aim to spend $10-$20 for a template suite.
• Choose a template with just 2-3 colours to save on printing costs.
• Opt for a template that aligns with your wedding colours or theme.
• Look for a shop that seems professional and has experience with printing designs.

Customise the template

Most templates can be customised to include your specific wedding information. You can change details such as the date, time, and place of the wedding. Some designers may also allow you to change design elements such as fonts or colours for an additional fee.

Finalise the design

Before finalising the design, be sure to proofread the text for any errors or mistakes. Ask a friend or family member to read through the text as well to catch any typos or grammatical errors. Check that the design, colours, and text are exactly how you want them.

Choose your paper

The type of paper you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your invitations. Here are some factors to consider:

• Thickness: Opt for a thicker cardstock for a more luxurious feel. Something around 120 lb. is a good option.
• Texture: Consider adding texture to your invitations with options such as linen or felt cardstock.
• Colour: Choose a colour that complements your wedding theme. White or cream are traditional options, but you can also explore different shades or coloured cardstock.
• Samples: Request paper samples before placing your final order to evaluate the weight, colour, and texture.

Prepare your file for printing

Before sending your file for printing, ensure that it is in the correct format. The required file format may vary depending on your printing method (e.g. online printing service, local print shop). Common file formats include PDF, JPEG, and PNG. Check with your chosen printer to confirm the required file type and resolution.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to creating beautiful, customised wedding invitations that fit your style and budget.

Order invitation paper and envelopes

Ordering invitation paper and envelopes is a crucial step in the process of printing your own wedding invitations. Here is a detailed guide to help you with this task:

Purchase an Invitation Suite:

Start by buying an invitation kit that includes the invitations, enclosures, and envelopes. These kits offer a range of paper colours and designs, allowing you to choose what suits your wedding theme and style. When ordering, remember to include extra pieces in case of mistakes during printing. It is recommended to order 20 to 25% more invitation suites than you plan to send out.

Buy Cardstock and Matching Envelopes:

If you prefer to cut your invitations to a desired size, purchasing cardstock and matching envelopes is a more cost-effective option. This gives you more design flexibility. Remember to order 25 to 50 additional pieces of cardstock to account for any printing errors. You will also need to separately order envelopes for both the invitations and enclosures, ensuring they fit the size of your invitations and any response cards.

Consider Using Layering Papers:

Layering the printed card on top of a different-coloured cardstock adds visual interest and colour to your invitations. The layering cardstock should be about 1/4-inch larger than the printed cardstock. However, refrain from adding layering papers to pre-cut invitation suites as it may affect the final size of the invitation.

Evaluate the Paper Colour:

Most standard wedding invitations are printed on white or cream cardstock. There are various shades available within these colours, so consider whether you prefer bright white, eggshell, light cream, or ivory. Mix and match colour palettes to find complementary shades. If you plan to use layering papers or coloured inks, evaluate how these colours look with your chosen cardstock before purchasing.

Think About Your Paper Preferences:

The type of paper you choose can reflect your values and the desired feel of your invitations. For an environmentally conscious choice, opt for 100% recycled paper with 30% post-consumer waste. If you want your invitations to exude luxury, consider 100% cotton paper. Textured paper adds a unique touch and a more dramatic effect.

Request Paper Samples:

Before placing your final order, request paper samples from distributors, which are often provided free of charge or for a small shipping fee. This allows you to assess the paper weight, colour, and texture, ensuring it aligns with your vision.

Figure out your ink usage

Printing your own wedding invitations can be a great way to save money, but it's important to consider the cost of ink, which can be expensive. Here are some tips to help you figure out your ink usage when printing wedding invitations at home:

• Consider the design of your invitations. Designs with more white space and lighter colour backgrounds will use less ink. If you choose a design with a colourful background or large areas of solid colour, you will use a lot more ink, which can increase the overall cost.
• Evaluate your printer's ink requirements. Different printers use different types of ink, so check whether your printer uses liquid ink (inkjet) or toner powder (laser printer). Also, consider the colours of ink your design requires. Will you need to replace all the ink cartridges, or just some of them?
• Calculate the coverage area. The larger the print coverage, the more ink you will use. Consider the size of your invitations and whether they will be single-sided or double-sided. Also, think about any other printed materials you may need, such as RSVP cards or envelopes.
• Plan for test prints. Before printing your final invitations, you will likely want to do some test prints to ensure the colours and alignment are correct. Factor in the cost of ink for these test prints.
• Compare the cost of home printing vs professional printing. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to have your invitations professionally printed, especially if your design includes a lot of colour or requires a specialised type of paper. Get quotes from local print shops and compare the total cost, including ink and paper, to the cost of printing at home.
• Buy extra ink in advance. Nothing is worse than running out of ink halfway through printing your invitations. Buy extra ink cartridges before you start printing to avoid last-minute trips to the store. Look for sales on websites like Amazon or at office supply stores like Staples.

Frequently asked questions