Printing Your Own Wedding Envelopes: Is It Worth It?

Wedding invitations are one of the first impressions your guests will have of your special day, so it's important to make a statement with your envelopes. Printing your own wedding invitation envelopes can add a personal touch to your wedding and is easier than you may think. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of printing your own wedding invitation envelopes, the supplies you will need, and the steps to create a personalized and cohesive look. We will also provide tips on choosing the right envelopes, designing the envelope layout, and test printing. By the end of this article, you should feel confident in your ability to print your own wedding invitation envelopes and add a unique touch to your special day.

Printer selection: You'll need a basic inkjet printer with a straight paper path to handle thick cardstock and envelopes without smudging

When selecting a printer for printing wedding invitation envelopes, it is essential to choose one that can handle thick cardstock and envelopes without smudging. A basic inkjet printer with a straight paper path is a suitable option. Here are some key considerations and instructions to help you make an informed decision:

• Printer Type: Choose an inkjet printer that is designed to handle thick cardstock and envelopes. Look for features such as a rear paper feed or a straight paper path to accommodate thicker paper. Some recommended printers include the Canon Pixma Pro-100 and the HP Office Jet 3830 Printer.
• Paper Weight: Ensure that your printer can handle the weight of the paper you intend to use. Check the specifications of the printer to confirm the supported paperweight range.
• Paper Path: Opt for a printer with a straight paper path to minimize the risk of paper jams and creases. This design allows for smooth printing on thick or specialty media.
• Print Quality: Select a printer that offers high-resolution printing and colour accuracy to ensure sharp and vibrant prints on your envelopes.
• Paper Tray: Choose a printer with adjustable paper trays to accommodate different media types and sizes. This will ensure proper alignment and feeding of the envelopes during printing.
• Testing: Before printing on your final envelope, it is advisable to do a test print on a similar type of paper. This will allow you to adjust the printer settings and ensure that the envelopes are fed correctly without smudging.
• Drying Time: Consider the drying time of the ink used in your printer. Some inkjet printers may produce wet ink that requires you to print in smaller batches and lay out the envelopes flat to dry before stacking them.
• Cost: Compare the prices of different printers and consider your budget. Additionally, factor in the cost of ink and envelopes when calculating the overall expense.

By following these guidelines and selecting a suitable inkjet printer with a straight paper path, you can efficiently print your wedding invitation envelopes at home, saving time and money while achieving the desired print quality.

Envelope selection: Choose envelopes that match your wedding theme and fit your invitations

When it comes to selecting envelopes for your wedding invitations, it's important to choose ones that not only fit your invitations but also complement your wedding theme and colours.

Envelopes come in a variety of colours, sizes, and finishes, such as gold and silver metallic, natural linen, brown kraft paper, and white or ivory linen. You can also opt for textured, pearlescent, or translucent envelopes to add a unique touch. If you're having a beach wedding, for example, consider incorporating seashell motifs or ocean-inspired colours into the envelope design.

For a sleek and elegant look, straight flaps, contour flaps, and V flaps are all options. If you want to seal your envelopes with something other than licking the flap, some envelopes come with Peel & Seal closures, which are easier to use and provide added security.

When selecting envelopes, it's important to consider the size of your invitations. Standard invitation sizes include C5, C6, DL, 5x7, and square, while smaller sizes such as C7 and 62 x 94mm are suitable for RSVP cards. Make sure to choose envelopes that are slightly larger than your invitations to ensure a good fit.

You can also add embellishments to your envelopes, such as ribbons, wax seals, or envelope liners. These extra touches can tie in with your wedding theme and add a bit of glamour or romance to your invitations.

Finally, don't forget to consider the practical aspects, such as postage. Heavier envelopes or those with embellishments may require additional postage, so it's a good idea to take a complete suite to the post office to determine the exact postage required.

Design layout: Decide on the placement of text and any decorative elements, such as monograms or florals

When designing the layout of your wedding envelopes, there are several elements to consider, including the placement of text and any additional design elements.

First, decide where you want to place the recipient's address on the envelope. A popular choice is to centre the address on the front of the envelope, with the names of the recipients written above. This creates a clean and classic look. Alternatively, for a more contemporary style, you can place the address in the bottom right corner of the envelope, leaving the rest of the front surface open for additional design elements.

Next, consider any decorative elements you may want to include, such as monograms, florals, or themed postage stamps. These can be placed in the top left corner or around the edges of the envelope to add visual interest. Just ensure that any additional design elements do not detract from the legibility of the address.

When it comes to font choice, opt for a style that is easy to read and complements the overall aesthetic of your wedding invitations. You can choose a calligraphy-style font for a formal look or a modern font for a contemporary feel. Consistency is key, so be sure to use the same font style throughout all of your wedding stationery.

Lastly, consider the placement and size of any return addresses or RSVP information on the envelope. These details should be clearly visible and easy for guests to find. Using a smaller font size for this information can help ensure it fits neatly on the envelope without overwhelming the design. Many couples choose to add return addresses on the back flap of the envelope for a clean, uncluttered look.

Font choice: Opt for a calligraphy-style font for a formal look or a modern font for a contemporary feel

When it comes to font choice, it's important to select a style that is easy to read and complements the overall aesthetic of your wedding invitations. Opting for a calligraphy-style font will lend a formal and elegant air to your envelopes, while a modern font will create a contemporary feel.

If you're going for a traditional or elegant wedding theme, a calligraphy font will perfectly match the tone you're setting. On the other hand, if you're planning a modern or fun-themed wedding, a contemporary font will better suit your style.

You can also mix and match fonts to create a unique look. For instance, combine a calligraphy font with a sans-serif or serif font to add visual interest. Just be sure to choose fonts that are easy to read and complement each other.

Additionally, consider using the same font style throughout all of your wedding stationery, including RSVP cards, envelopes, and enclosures, for a cohesive and polished look.

When in doubt, opt for simplicity. A classic calligraphy or modern font will always be a stylish choice, ensuring your envelopes look elegant and sophisticated.

Test printing: Do a test print to ensure the text is clear and legible and make any necessary adjustments

Test printing is an essential step in the envelope printing process. Before printing all of your envelopes, it's important to do a test run to ensure that everything looks as expected. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments before printing the final batch.

To perform a test print, set up your printer with the appropriate settings and load a blank envelope. Print a sample envelope with the text and design elements you plan to use. Check for any alignment issues, smudging, or other printing errors. Ensure that the text is clear and legible and that the design elements are properly positioned.

If you encounter any issues during the test print, don't panic. Troubleshooting is a standard part of the process, and there are several steps you can take to address common problems. For example, if the text is smudged, check the ink levels of your printer and how smoothly the envelope is feeding through. You may also need to adjust the print settings. If the alignment is off, adjust the placement of your design elements or consider repositioning the envelope in the printer. Use your printer's tray guidelines if needed.

• Measure your envelopes: Know the exact size of your envelopes (in inches or centimetres) with the flap closed. This will help you set up the correct paper size in your printing settings.
• Create a Word document: Create a Word document that matches the size of your envelopes. Go to 'Page Layout' > 'Size' > 'More Paper Sizes'. Enter the dimensions of your envelope and click 'OK'.
• Add text boxes: Insert text boxes to your template by going to 'Insert' > 'Text Box' > 'Draw Text Box'. Position the text boxes as needed, ensuring you leave enough space for postage stamps and a return address.
• Duplicate the page: Once your template is ready, duplicate the page so you can print multiple envelopes at once. Click in the grey margin outside the page to highlight the text boxes, then click anywhere on the white page that isn't inside a text box. Hit 'End' on your keyboard to add blank pages after the existing page. Go to 'Insert' > 'Blank Page' and add around 15-20 pages.
• Fill in your addresses: You can use mail merge to automate this process, but if you prefer to do it manually, simply copy and paste the addresses into your template.

Frequently asked questions