Creating Your Own Wedding Invites: Front & Back Printing

Printing your own wedding invites is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Whether you're looking to create a simple and elegant design or something bold and colourful, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some tips to help you get started:

- Decide on the style you want for your invitations. Do you want something modern and minimalist, or perhaps a rustic or whimsical theme? Consider creating a mood board on Pinterest to help you identify your style and find inspiration.

- Choose the right paper for your invitations. Select a durable material with a weight of at least 80-pound paper or 12-point stock to give your invitations a luxurious feel. You can also opt for textured paper, such as linen or cotton, for a unique touch.

- Select the right printer and ink. If you're printing at home, make sure your printer can handle the paper weight and type you've chosen. Consider the cost of ink and whether you need to purchase replacement cartridges.

- Design your invitations using word processing or design software. Choose complementary fonts and colours, and experiment with different font sizes and alignments to create a visually appealing layout.

- Don't forget the envelopes! Select envelopes that fit your invitations and consider adding envelope liners for a pop of colour.

- Assemble your invitations with care. This is a great opportunity to involve family and friends in the wedding preparations. Provide a completed invitation as an example to ensure consistent results.

Choosing the right printer and ink

When it comes to choosing the right printer and ink for your wedding invites, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to decide between an inkjet or laser printer. Inkjet printers offer superior results for detailed images and intricate fonts, while laser printers are better suited for documents with lots of text. Another factor to consider is paper compatibility. Make sure your chosen printer can handle thicker papers like cardstock, which is commonly used for wedding invitations. Check the weight of your stationery, typically identified in lbs, points, or GSM, to ensure compatibility. Additionally, look for a printer with a rear paper feed, which allows you to feed specialty paper one by one, reducing the risk of curling or jamming.

When it comes to ink, you'll need to choose between dye-based and pigment-based ink. Dye-based ink, commonly used in inkjet printers, offers a wide colour gamut, deep blacks, and brilliant saturation. However, it may not have the same longevity as pigment-based ink. Pigment-based ink, on the other hand, contains fine colourant powder suspended in a solution, resulting in prints that last longer, especially when paired with archival papers. Keep in mind that printers using pigment-based ink tend to be more expensive.

Consider the colour coverage of your invitation design. Elaborate designs with heavy colour usage will not only affect your paper choice but also drain your ink reserves quickly. Calculate how much ink you'll need by checking the average number of pages a cartridge can print and comparing it to the number of invitations you need to print. You may also want to look into compatible cartridges from reputable distributors as a more cost-effective alternative to name-brand ink replacements.

Selecting the best paper for your design

Selecting the best paper for your wedding invitation design is crucial, as it can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your invites. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right paper for your front and back wedding invites:

Paper Weight and Thickness

The weight and thickness of the paper, measured in pounds or grams per square meter, will determine how sturdy and luxurious your invites feel. For a more professional and elegant look, opt for heavier cardstock, typically ranging from 100# to 130# cardstock. However, keep in mind that thicker paper may not be compatible with all home printers, so it's important to check your printer's specifications before making a purchase.

Paper Texture and Finish

The texture and finish of the paper can add a subtle touch of elegance to your invites. Options like linen cardstock, with its delicate woven texture, can enhance the overall design and hide any printing imperfections. Cotton cardstock, known for its smooth and absorbent properties, is another popular choice that works well with both laser and inkjet printers. If you're looking for something unique, consider felt cardstock, which has a texture that falls between cotton and canvas, giving your invites a sophisticated air.

Paper Colour and Design

The colour and design of the paper can complement your wedding theme and set the tone for your event. For a rustic or vintage wedding, consider kraft paper, which resembles coarse brown grocery bags. If you want to add a hint of sparkle, pearlescent paper with a shimmery finish is an excellent choice. On the other hand, for a simple and elegant look, solid white cardstock is a versatile option that pairs well with various envelope colours.

Printer Compatibility

Not all printers can handle the same paper thickness and type. Before finalizing your paper choice, ensure that your home printer or selected printing service can accommodate the weight and texture of the paper. Test prints on different types of paper can help you determine which option works best with your printer and design.

Durability and Ink Absorption

Consider the durability of the paper, especially if you want your invites to stand the test of time. Some papers, like cotton cardstock, are known for their longevity and ability to absorb ink beautifully. Additionally, if your design includes heavy ink coverage or watercolour paint, choose a paper that can handle it without bleeding or running.

Cost and Budget

Finally, keep your budget in mind when selecting the paper for your wedding invites. Heavier cardstock and specialty papers, such as cotton or pearlescent paper, tend to be more expensive. If you're working with a tight budget, opt for standard cardstock options or explore recycled paper for a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice.

Designing your invitations

Choose a Design or Template

If you're comfortable with design software, you can create your own invitation design from scratch. However, if you're not a designer, you can purchase a template online from sites like Etsy, Creative Market, or stock photography websites. When choosing a template, opt for a simple design with just 2-3 colours to save on printing costs. Look for templates that cost between $10-$20 and come with a full suite of matching stationery items like RSVP cards and reception information cards.

Customise Your Invitation

Customise your chosen template to include all the relevant details of your wedding, such as the date, time, and location. You can also personalise the text, colours, and images to match your wedding theme and colour palette. If you want to change any design elements, you may need to contact the designer to make these adjustments for you.

Select Your Fonts

Most wedding invitations use two fonts: one script font and one block font. Experiment with different font combinations and treatments, such as italics, lowercase, and uppercase. Avoid using more than two fonts, as it may make the invitation difficult to read. You can also try different font sizes to highlight certain parts of the text, like the names of the bride and groom.

Consider Graphic Elements and Colour

Add visual interest to your invitations with graphic elements or high-resolution clip art. Look for graphics with a resolution of at least 300 dpi to ensure crisp, clear images. Incorporate images that match your wedding theme, such as florals, branches, or Victorian flourishes. You can also add pops of colour to your invitations with coloured graphic elements, text, or embellishments like ribbon or paper strips.

Plan Your Printing

Before printing your invitations, run a test print to ensure the design and colours come out as expected. Feed your chosen cardstock into your printer, and stay by the printer to monitor the printing process and catch any issues early. It's also a good idea to purchase extra printer ink in advance to avoid running out halfway through. Alternatively, consider comparing the cost of printer ink with the price of having your invitations printed at a local print shop.

Assemble Your Invitations

Finally, assemble your printed invitations. This is a great opportunity to involve family and friends in the wedding preparations. Provide a completed invitation as an example for others to follow. Depending on your invitation design, assembly may involve mounting printed invitations on cardstock, adding enclosures and embellishments, and placing them in envelopes.

Printing your invitations

Printing your own wedding invitations is a great way to save money and create your perfect design. If you don't mind cutting your own invitations to size, you can purchase some cardstock and matching envelopes to use. Otherwise, you can purchase an invitation suite, which should include blank invitations, enclosures, and envelopes.

Choosing your printer and ink

The first thing to consider is what kind of printer you have, and what type of ink it uses. Most inkjet printers use dye-based ink, which is known for its wide colour gamut, deep blacks, and brilliant saturation. Dye-based ink will produce vivid images when printed on semi-gloss or gloss-coated paper. However, it doesn't have the longevity of pigment-based ink, which is more expensive but produces prints that last much longer.

If you're printing a background that's heavy on colour, this will not only affect your paper choice but also drain your ink reserves quickly. You'll likely need to buy replacement cartridges, so look into reputable distributors of compatible cartridges.

Choosing your paper

Picking your paper is one of the most important decisions you'll make when printing your own wedding invitations. For wedding invites, choose a durable material with a paper weight of no less than 80-pound or 12-point stock for the heft and feel that invitations usually possess. If your design involves mostly photos, pair dye-based ink with any type of photo paper to bring out the sharpness and colour of your shot. Generally, choose paper with a coating such as semi-gloss, gloss, matte, resin, or polymer when printing with dye-based ink.

If you're printing with pigment ink, you can choose from a selection of textured paper. Linen, feltweave card stocks, and cotton rag are popular choices for wedding invites and can be found at any office supply store or stationery shop.

Some paper types might be too heavy for your printer, so check online to make sure your printer can handle the paper stock you've chosen.

Design considerations

• Design anything you will be printing with bleeds. "Bleeds" is a printing term for when images or other design elements deliberately extend or "bleed" beyond the trim edge to avoid the appearance of unwanted white spaces on the finished product.
• Calibrate your screen for colour balance. Modern high-definition screens do a good job of replicating colours, but there is still often a disconnect between the screen and printed colours.
• Foil lettering and accents shimmer. While you can't print foil accents directly from your printer, with a little extra elbow grease and creativity, you can make your invites stand out.

Ordering and printing

• Order at least 20 to 25% more invitation suites than you plan to send to allow for extra pieces in case of mistakes.
• Before you begin printing the final invitations, run a test print to make sure the invitation prints correctly.
• Stay by the printer while the invitations are printing so you can notice any problems and stop the printing process if needed.
• Purchase extra printer ink before beginning the printing process so you don't run out halfway through.
• Pay a printing company to print the invitations for you if it's cheaper than using your home printer. Most printing companies require a .pdf of the invitation image.

Assembling your invitations

If you are cutting your own invitations from cardstock, invest in a paper cutter. Your invitations will look more professional and you will save yourself a lot of time by using a paper cutter rather than scissors.

If you want to add a pop of colour to your invitation suite, be sure to choose an envelope colour that is light enough so that the address can still be seen. Envelope liners are also a great way to dress up your invitations, whether you use metallic paper or a patterned option.

Set up for easy assembly by using glue dots or double-stick tape instead of glue—and use the same to seal the envelopes, too.

Frequently asked questions