Printing Wedding Invites: A Guide For Microsoft Word Users

Printing wedding invitations at home is a great way to save money and create a unique design. To do this, you'll need to decide on a design, choose your paper, and print your invitations using a word-processing program. You can also add embellishments like ribbon or paper strips to make your invitations stand out. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Choosing the right paper and printing style

Choose the Right Paper:

• Consider your printer: The type of printer you have will impact the final print quality. Home printers are usually limited in the paper thickness they can handle, so be sure to check your printer's instructions and do a test print before purchasing paper.
• Weight: The weight of the paper, measured in pounds (# or lb), will affect the look and feel of your invitations. Heavier weights, such as 110-130#, will give your invitations a more professional and luxurious feel. However, keep in mind that thicker paper may require industrial printers.
• Material: There are several options for the material of your paper, including solid white cardstock, linen cardstock, cotton cardstock, parchment, felt, kraft (recycled), and wood grain cardstock. Each material has a unique look and feel, so choose the one that best suits your wedding style.
• Texture: Some papers have a smooth finish, while others have a textured finish, such as linen cardstock. If you're using inkjet printing, consider a textured paper to hide any imperfections.
• Colour: Cardstock comes in a variety of colours, so you can choose one that matches your wedding colour palette.

Choose the Right Printing Style:

• Flat printing: This is the most cost-effective option and can be done quickly using a high-quality printer. It's a good choice for image-driven invitations as it allows for freedom and flexibility in design.
• Thermography: This technique gives a slightly raised text effect without the high cost of engraving or embossing. It's a good option if you want to add a bit of dimension to your invitations.
• Engraving and embossing: These high-end techniques add a hint of luxury to your invitations by creating raised or indented letters and images. However, they require custom metal plates, which can increase the cost.
• Foil stamping: This method creates a glamorous, metallic effect that is sure to impress your guests. It requires made-to-order metal dies and can be combined with other printing techniques for a unique look.
• Letterpress: This technique creates a soft, romantic feel by stamping ink into soft cotton stock. It's slightly more affordable than foil stamping and is perfect for invitations with a vintage vibe.

Designing the invitations

The first step in designing your wedding invitations is to choose a word processing or design software to create your invitations. You can use any word processing program to create basic wedding invitations, but if you want to create more elaborate invitation designs, you may benefit from using professional desktop publishing or design software.

Next, you should select the fonts for your invitation. Most wedding invitations feature two fonts: one script font and one block font. It is recommended that you do not use more than two different fonts, as this may make the invitation difficult to read. Experiment with different font combinations, font treatments (such as italics), and font sizes. As a rule of thumb, avoid font sizes smaller than 9 points, and consider using larger font sizes for the names of the bride and groom.

You should also determine the text alignment and line spacing. Traditional wedding invitations typically feature centre alignment, but you can also consider right or left-justified alignments depending on your invitation design. Similarly, adjust the line spacing as necessary to ensure that your invitation is easy to read.

To add visual interest to your invitation, consider incorporating graphic elements such as high-end clip art, florals, branches, or Victorian flourishes. If you are not an artist or graphic designer, using clip art is an easy way to add visual interest to your invitation. Just make sure that any clip art you use has a resolution of at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) to ensure crisp, high-quality graphics. You can also add colour to your invitation design with carefully placed pops of colour, coloured graphic elements, or text in a complementary colour.

If you are using Microsoft Word, go to the "Mailings" tab and select "Envelopes" to print your envelopes. Enter the return and delivery addresses, and put the empty envelope in the printer tray according to the illustration in the Feed Box.

If you are using a different program, the process may vary slightly. However, the basic steps of entering the addresses, selecting the correct envelope size, and feeding the envelope into the printer tray should be the same.

Printing the invitations

Before printing your wedding invitations, it's important to do a test print to make sure the invitation prints correctly. You should also ensure that you have extra printer ink to avoid running out halfway through. If you're printing many invitations, the process may take a while, so be patient and allow for plenty of time. Stay by the printer while the invitations are printing so that you can spot any issues and stop the process without wasting paper.

If you're printing at home, feed the cardstock into your printer and adjust the settings to match the size of your cardstock or invitation. You can print the invitations using your home printer or pay a printing company to do it for you. Evaluate the cost of the printer ink for your home printer compared to having the invitations printed at a local print shop. In some cases, it may be cheaper to have them printed locally. Most printing companies require a .pdf of the invitation image, but you should inquire about the file requirements at your local print shop.

If you're printing on pre-cut cardstock, all you need to do is use the single template and make sure your printer settings are set to print on that size of paper. Then, simply feed the cards through your printer as you would with regular paper.

Assembling the invitations

• Set up your workspace: Clear a large table or flat surface and gather all the supplies you need, including the printed invitations, envelopes, cardstock, embellishments, and any other materials.
• Fold or cut the invitations: If you have printed your invitations on letter-sized cardstock, you may need to fold them to fit into your envelopes. Use a paper cutter or a scoring tool to create a clean, straight fold. If you have printed on larger cardstock, you may need to cut the invitations down to size. Again, use a paper cutter or a craft knife and a straight edge to ensure straight cuts.
• Mount the invitations: If you are using layering papers or backing cardstock, now is the time to attach the printed invitations. Use a strong adhesive, such as a glue stick or double-sided tape, to secure the layers together. Make sure the invitations are centred and aligned properly.
• Add enclosures and embellishments: If you have additional cards, such as RSPV cards, reception information, or maps, assemble them in the order you want them to appear. You can use paper clips or small binder clips to keep the enclosures together. Add any embellishments, such as ribbon or paper strips, to secure the enclosures or simply as a decorative touch.
• Insert the invitations into the envelopes: Place the assembled invitation suite into the envelope, making sure that everything fits comfortably and that the addresses are visible through any envelope windows. If you are using inner and outer envelopes, place the invitation suite into the inner envelope first, then into the outer envelope.
• Seal the envelopes: If your envelopes have a self-adhesive strip, moisten or press the strip to seal them. Otherwise, you may need to use envelope moistener or a damp sponge to activate the glue. If your envelopes do not have a built-in adhesive, you will need to use seals or stickers to secure them.
• Address the envelopes: You can print addresses directly onto the envelopes, use address labels, or handwrite the addresses. If you are printing or handwriting the addresses, be sure to use a pen with archival ink to prevent smudging.
• Weigh the invitations: Take a fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed. The weight and size of the invitation will determine the correct postage amount. You can purchase stamps at the post office or order custom stamps online.
• Mail the invitations: Once your invitations are assembled, addressed, and stamped, it's time to mail them! Drop them off at your local post office or in a secure mailbox. Congratulations, you've assembled your wedding invitations!

Addressing the envelopes

Formal Addressing Rules:

• Use formal names and avoid nicknames.
• Middle names are not necessary, but if used, write them out in full instead of using initials.
• Spell out all words such as "Apartment", "Avenue", and "Street".
• Abbreviate titles like "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Ms.", and "Jr.".
• Write out professional titles, such as "Doctor" or "Professor".

Addressing a Single Guest Plus Date:

Formal Addressing: Ms. Anderson & Guest [Address]

Informal: Sam Anderson and Guest [Address]

Addressing a Married Couple:

Formal Addressing: Mr. and Mrs. Anthony James [Address]

Informal: Anthony and Sara James [Address]

Addressing an Unmarried Couple at the Same Address:

Formal Addressing: Ms. Sara Trent [Address] Mr. Anthony James [Address]

Informal: Sara and Anthony [Address]

Addressing a Family with Children:

Formal Addressing: Mr. and Mrs. Anthony James and Family [Address]

Informal: Anthony and Sara James and Family [Address]

When addressing a family, the outer envelope should only be addressed to the parents, while the children's names should appear on the inner envelope, with the oldest child's name first, followed by their siblings in descending order of age. Boys under 13 can be addressed as "Master", and girls under 18 as "Miss".

Additionally, when addressing guests with distinguished titles, such as doctors, lawyers, or judges, use their professional titles on the envelope. For couples with different titles, list the person with the higher-ranking title first.

Frequently asked questions