Printing Your Own Wilton Wedding Invitations

Printing your own wedding invitations at home is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Wilton's Print Your Own line is a popular choice for couples who want a quick, simple, and budget-friendly solution without compromising on style. In this article, we will discuss the steps to print Wilton wedding invitations at home, including choosing the right paper and envelope, setting up your printer, and troubleshooting any issues. We will also explore the pros and cons of printing your own invitations, and provide tips and tricks from experts in the industry. By the end of this article, you should feel confident and excited to tackle this DIY project for your wedding!

Selecting the right paper

Paper Weight

The weight of the paper is important. The standard weight for wedding invitations is 80 lb to 110 lb, which will give your invitations a luxurious feel without being too heavy for your home printer. Paper weight is measured in pounds or grams per square meter (gsm). The higher the number, the thicker the paper. Most home printers can handle paper up to 100 lb, but it's important to check your printer's specifications before purchasing paper.

Paper Type

There are two main types of paper to choose from: text paper and cardstock paper.

• Text paper is the standard paper you use in your home printer, similar to letterhead paper. It comes in various weights, typically between 20 and 80 lb.
• Cardstock paper is thicker and more durable, similar to a postcard or business card. It also comes in a range of weights, from 45 to 200 lb. For a more elegant and professional look, cardstock paper is the better option.

Paper Material

Different materials will give your invitations a unique look and feel. Here are some popular options:

• Cotton paper: Strong and durable, with a soft feel. It absorbs ink well, making it a popular choice for a clean and classic look.
• Linen paper: A semi-rough paper with a subtle, elegant texture that resembles fine linen fabric. It gives invitations a luxurious and timeless finish.
• Vellum: A thin, translucent paper that adds a soft, frosted touch. It can be used as an overlay or printed directly for a unique, elegant look.
• Recycled paper: An eco-friendly and cost-effective option made from repurposed materials. It comes in various textures, colours, and thicknesses, including the popular kraft cardstock for a rustic look.

General Guidelines

When choosing paper for your wedding invitations, keep the following in mind:

• Invest in good-quality paper to ensure your invitations don't look cheap.
• Order paper samples to test different weights, colours, and textures before committing to a large order.
• Remember that thicker paper may require additional postage, so get your invitations weighed at the post office.
• Consider the overall design and composition of your invitations. Flat invitation cards typically use heavier cardstock, while folding cards use lighter paper.

Trial and Error

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different papers. Selecting the right paper for your wedding invitations may involve some trial and error. Choose a paper that works best with your printer, and don't be afraid to ask for help from a specialty stationery store or a print shop.

Printer setup

The first step in printing your wedding invitations is to ensure your printer is set up correctly. This includes checking the printer's manual to ensure it is capable of printing on cardstock or envelopes. If you are printing on cardstock, check that your printer can handle the thickness of the paper. Some printers can only handle cardstock through a specific tray or manual feed, so be sure to use the correct tray to avoid jams or incorrect printing.

If you are printing envelopes, check that your printer can accommodate the size of the envelopes. Most printers will allow you to select "Envelope" as the paper type in the Page Setup tab of the Print dialog box. If this option is not available, try changing the paper size to an envelope size, such as C5. The size of the envelopes should be specified on the packaging.

Once you have confirmed that your printer is capable of handling the paper type and size, you can proceed with the printing process.

For HP printers, you can access the printer settings by hitting print, right-clicking on the printer, and going to Properties. From here, you can adjust the paper type and size settings to ensure they match what you are printing on.

If you are printing on cardstock, adjust the paper tray settings on your printer. Go to "Printers and Devices," then "Paper Handling," and select "Heavy" or "Card Stock" from the "Tray" menu. This will ensure the printer knows to expect thicker paper.

If you are printing on envelopes, the key is to know which way to feed the envelope into your printer. The correct feed option will depend on your specific printer model. Word will display the appropriate feed option based on the information it receives from your printer. Refer to your printer's manual to determine the correct orientation for feeding envelopes.

Envelope setup

Firstly, select envelopes that complement your wedding invitations in terms of size and style. It is important to choose envelopes that are slightly larger than your invitations to allow for easy insertion. Consider the colour and material of the envelopes to ensure they align with your wedding theme. Don't forget to include RSVP card envelopes as well.

Next, set up your printer for envelope printing. Check your printer's manual to confirm if it supports envelope printing and to identify the correct envelope size. Common envelope sizes include A9 and C5. Adjust the paper size settings on your printer to match the envelope size. Ensure the printer settings are configured to print on the correct side of the envelope. Test print on a single envelope to confirm the correct orientation and side.

Now, you can proceed to print the addresses on the envelopes. Use Microsoft Word or similar software to create and format the delivery and return addresses. Utilise features such as "Mailings" or "Envelopes and Labels" to input the address information. Follow the software's guidelines to align the envelope in the printer tray correctly.

Finally, assemble the invitation suite. Insert the invitation, RSVP card, and any other enclosures into the envelope. Seal the envelope and weigh the complete package at the post office to determine the correct postage. Consider requesting hand-cancelling to protect the envelope from potential damage during processing.

Printing process

The first step in the printing process is to select the file you want to print and open it on your computer screen. You can then simultaneously press the Ctrl and P keys to initiate the printing process. When the printing pop-up menu appears, choose the printer you want to send the job to and adjust any necessary print settings. If you are using an HP printer, you can refer to specific instructions for setting up and printing from a USB or wireless connection.

It is important to consider the type of paper you will be using for your invitations. Most wedding invitation cards are printed on cardstock, with weights ranging from 110 to 120 lb. Uncoated cardstock with a linen or felt texture is recommended for a luxurious look and feel. It is suggested to purchase paper from a specialty stationery store or a print shop, and to test samples on your home printer before committing to a large quantity.

Before printing, ensure that your computer and printer are functioning properly and that you have the correct file type for printing. PDF files generally produce higher-quality prints than JPEGs, but the required file type will depend on your chosen printing method. Check that your template resolution quality is 300 DPI or higher for a crisp and clean print.

Additionally, consider your ink usage, especially if you are using a design with a colourful background. Home printers may not be suited for full-colour print jobs, so including colourful touches in a design with some unprinted areas may be a better option for at-home printing. If your design includes white font, it may be best to have it printed professionally, as this can use a lot of ink and cause stress on your home printer.

When you are ready to print, adjust your printer settings to select the correct paper type and size. For cardstock, you may need to change the paper type to "Heavy" or "Card Stock" and adjust the paper size accordingly. Test print on a single card before printing the entire batch to ensure that the design and text are aligned correctly and there are no errors.

Finally, if you are printing envelopes for your invitations, ensure that your printer is compatible with envelope printing and that you have selected the correct envelope size and paper type in your printing settings. Feed the envelopes into the printer with the right side up, following the instructions in the printer manual.

Troubleshooting

• If you're having trouble printing on the correct size of paper, try changing the orientation on your computer screen.
• You may need to feed your invites into the printer width-wise.
• In Microsoft Word, create two columns that are each exactly half of the page, so that it matches the size of your invitations.
• Open the printer dialog box and click on the features tab. Under resizing, select the size of the paper you are using. If it is not listed, choose "custom" and name the size.
• If you are using a phone, you will need to download a third-party application to print envelopes.
• If you are using a computer, go to the Page Setup tab in the Print dialog and select "Envelope" as the paper type. If this is not possible, try changing the paper size to an envelope size (such as C5).
• Make sure the envelopes are placed in the printer's input tray with the right side up. Check the printer's manual or print one envelope at a time to see which side is printed on.
• If your printed paper is wrinkled, check that you are loading the paper correctly into the paper tray. Also, check that you are not printing on paper that is too thin or has absorbed too much moisture from the air.
• If your printer is not printing on both sides of the paper, use it to print one side at a time until you can arrange for service.
• If your printer is not feeding paper correctly, check that the paper size guides are not pressing against the paper stack.
• If your printer is not printing dark enough, spend time printing tests and adjusting the settings to get the desired colour.
• If you are printing envelopes, make sure to use envelopes without windows, clasps, shiny surfaces, coated interiors, or self-stick adhesives to prevent jams and damage.

Frequently asked questions