George Boyle
Wedding invitations can be costly, and the price of postage is often overlooked in the budgeting process. The cost of mailing invitations depends on various factors, including weight, shape, size, and whether you opt for special stamps or printing services.
The type of invitation you choose will impact the postage cost. For example, square invitations automatically require a higher-priced stamp due to their shape, whereas the weight and thickness of the envelope and its contents will also influence the final price.
Additionally, the printing method you select can affect the overall expense. Digital or flat printing is the most cost-effective option, offering unlimited colour options without compromising on quality. Letterpress and foil stamping are more expensive choices, better suited for those seeking a luxurious and handcrafted feel.
Before finalising your wedding invitations, it is advisable to consult a post office professional to determine the precise weight and required postage, ensuring your invitations successfully reach their destinations without any unpleasant surprises.
What You'll Learn
Printing methods: digital, letterpress, or foil stamping
Digital Printing
Digital printing is the most cost-effective and fastest method. It is also the most common and popular printing method, where the entire image is printed digitally onto the desired paper. This method is best for intricate and colourful designs, as there is no limitation to the number of colours that can be printed. However, it is not suitable for metallic colours such as gold or silver.
Letterpress
Letterpress printing is a traditional method that uses a printing press to apply pressure and a custom plate or die to apply the design to paper. It creates a beautiful "stamped-in" effect that can be seen and felt. The results are impressive, but the process can be time-consuming and costly. It is best for simple designs with a focus on typography.
Foil Stamping
Foil stamping is a process similar to letterpress printing but uses a combination of heat and pressure to stamp a thin metallic sheet over a custom metal die onto a sheet of paper. It is the most expensive method and takes the longest time. It is suitable for couples who want to add some shine to their invites.
Crafting Butterfly Wedding Invites: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Cost of postage
The cost of postage for wedding invitations depends on a few factors, including weight, shape, size, and whether you want to use vintage stamps.
The weight, shape, and size of your wedding invitations will determine how much you'll pay for postage. If your invitation is standard size and weighs under one ounce, you'll need a "forever" stamp, which costs around $0.55 each. If your invitation has multiple pieces and weighs between one and two ounces, you'll need a $0.70 stamp. Square invitations, regardless of weight, will also require a $0.70 stamp because they have to be hand-cancelled, which means they are sorted manually.
If your envelope is thinner than 1/4" at its thickest point, it can go through the sorting machine. However, if you want to include a ribbon tie for the envelope liner, you'll need to increase the postage because the knot will make the envelope thicker.
The cost of postage also depends on where you are sending your invitations. Sending invitations within the US will be less expensive than sending them internationally.
You can buy stamps for your wedding invitations at your local post office or online. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a variety of designs, including a "Love/Wedding" subcategory. If you're looking for vintage stamps, you can try Etsy or Edelweiss Post, which curates stamps by theme and color palette.
To ensure you have the correct postage, it's recommended that you take a fully assembled invitation to the post office and have them weigh it and tell you the cost to mail. You can also ask about hand-canceling, which costs extra but can add a classic look to your invitations.
Correcting Typos on Wedding Invitations: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Weight, size, and thickness
The weight, size, and thickness of your wedding invitations will determine the cost of postage. If your invitation weighs over 1 ounce, you will need to pay extra for postage. The same goes for size—if your invitation is larger than standard, it will cost more to send. Square invitations, for example, cannot be sorted by machine and must be hand-cancelled, which incurs an additional cost.
The weight of your invitation depends on the thickness of the paper used, also known as cardstock. Cardstock weight used for wedding invitations can range from 65lb/176gsm at the low end to 222lb/600gsm or higher for double-thick duplexed cardstock. The best paper weight for your invitations will depend on your printing process, invitation style, and personal preference.
If you're printing at home, you'll need to consider the paper weight capabilities of your printer. Most consumer-grade home printers can handle 80lb/216gsm to 100lb/270gsm cardstock. However, it's important to consult your printer manual for specific card stock printing information and recommendations.
When choosing a paper weight, it's also important to consider the style of your invitation. Flat invitation cards, for example, are typically made with heavier weight cardstock, while folding invitation cards are made with lighter stock.
For postage purposes, it's recommended to use 5" x 7" invitations as this is the standard size and will incur the lowest postage costs. If you're using a thicker cardstock or adding multiple inserts and embellishments, you'll need to use additional postage stamps to make up for the extra weight.
Inviting Your Congregation to Your Wedding: A Guide
You may want to see also
Vintage stamps
Sourcing Vintage Stamps
Finding vintage stamps for your wedding invitations can be a fun treasure hunt. You can explore online platforms such as Etsy, where you'll find a wide range of vintage Forever Stamps, including single-style stamps, complete sheets of discontinued collections, and custom-curated groupings that match your wedding theme. Edelweiss Post, for example, offers carefully selected vintage stamps with beautiful designs like florals, lacey hearts, cherubs, and doves.
Cost of Vintage Stamps
Weight, Size, and Thickness
When selecting vintage stamps, it's crucial to consider the weight, size, and thickness of your wedding invitations. Most wedding invitations are 5" x 7" to optimise postage costs. If you opt for a larger or differently-shaped envelope, you may need additional postage. Square invitations, for instance, require hand cancellation and thus incur a higher postage cost.
Professional Services
If you want a stress-free experience, consider using a full-service design studio that specialises in curated vintage postage collections and wedding invitations. Little Postage House, for example, offers bespoke services, including postage curation, assembly, and mailing. They can help you estimate the amount of postage required and design any paper goods you need, from save-the-dates to full wedding invitations.
Postage Calculation
To ensure you purchase the correct amount of postage, it's recommended to take a sample invitation to your local post office. They will advise you on the required postage based on the weight, size, and thickness of your envelope and its contents. This will help you avoid the annoyance of buying the wrong stamps or having your invitations returned due to insufficient postage.
Declining Wedding Invites: Writing Graceful and Polite Responses
You may want to see also
Where to buy stamps
When it comes to buying stamps for your wedding invitations, you have a few options.
The Post Office
You can buy stamps for wedding invitations at your local post office. It's a good idea to call ahead and check that they have the kind of stamps you're looking for, and that they have enough in stock.
Online
If you're looking for stamps that fit your wedding theme, or for vintage or unique options, you might have more luck shopping online. Here are some online retailers that sell stamps:
- USPS.com: The USPS website offers a wide range of stamp designs, including a "Love/Weddings" section. You can also buy multiple types of stamps at once, such as a standard first-class Forever Stamp and a 20-cent additional postage stamp. However, shipping can take up to a week and the selection may be limited.
- Etsy: Etsy offers vintage Forever Stamps, single-style stamps, complete sheets of now-discontinued collections, and custom-curated groupings of stamps that match your wedding vibe. Etsy is a good option if you're looking for stamps curated by colour. However, since these stamps are often rare or specially collected, the price is typically higher than the postage value.
- Edelweiss Post: This website offers vintage and discontinued stamps, including florals, lacey hearts, cherubs and doves. They typically ship within two business days.
- Little Postage House: A 2023 award winner, Little Postage House offers stamp collections for wedding invitations grouped by colour or theme, as well as state, city and landmark stamps.
- Magnolia Postage: Magnolia Postage offers vintage, small-denomination stamps ranging from one cent to over 30 cents. They can also source specific stamps for you.
- Amazon: Amazon offers modern stamp options and is a good choice for buying stamps in bulk, especially if you have Prime.
Other Options
If you're looking for a specific design, you could also try searching for third-party sellers. However, be aware that these sellers may mark up the price of the stamps.
Wedding Invitation Etiquette for Out-of-Town Guests
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Digital or flat printing is the most cost-effective option for wedding invitations. It is also the quickest, with a turnaround time of about 2 weeks. Other affordable options include Canva, Staples, and Vistaprint.
The cost of wedding invitation stamps depends on the weight, shape, and size of the mail. The least expensive option is a postcard stamp, which costs around $0.56. A first-class Forever Stamp, which is suitable for envelopes weighing up to one ounce, costs around $0.73. For envelopes weighing between one and two ounces, a single first-class stamp costs $1.01.
To save money on postage, it is recommended to use single-ply paper, avoid details such as wax seals and knotted ribbons, and keep inserts to a minimum. This can reduce the cost of mailing each invitation to as little as $0.90.
When choosing stamps for wedding invitations, it is recommended to stick to a single color palette, which creates a cohesive and polished look. Stamps can be mixed and matched to reach the correct value, and it is best to line them across the top of the envelope for easier tabulation by postal workers.
