Choosing The Perfect Card Thickness For Your Wedding Invites

When it comes to wedding invites, there are several factors to consider when choosing the thickness of your card. The type of printer you have, the style of your invitation, and your personal preference all play a role in determining the best card thickness for your big day.

One of the most important considerations is the weight of the card stock, typically measured in pounds or grams per square meter (GSM). For home printing, most consumer-grade printers can handle cardstock between 80lb (216gsm) and 100lb (270gsm). Thicker cardstock, such as 110lb (300gsm) and above, will require a professional printing service.

The style of your invitation is another factor to consider. Flat invitation cards, for example, are usually made from heavier cardstock, while folding invitation cards use lighter cardstock since they are doubled in thickness when folded. Additionally, if you plan to mail your invitations, keep in mind that thicker cardstock will require additional postage.

Ultimately, the choice of card thickness depends on your personal preference and the overall tone you want to set for your wedding.

Cardstock weight

The cardstock weight you choose for your wedding invites will depend on a few factors, such as whether you're printing at home or using a professional printing service, the style of your invitation, and your budget.

Printing at Home

Most home printers can handle cardstock with a weight of 80lb (216gsm) to 100lb (270-300gsm). However, it's important to check your printer's instructions and do a test print, as some home printers may only be able to accommodate paper weight up to 80lb.

Professional Printing Services

If you opt for a professional printing service, you'll have more options when it comes to cardstock weight. Popular methods like offset printing and thermography can handle weights up to 120lb (325gsm), while letterpress printing can go even higher, with weights ranging from 111lb (300gsm) to 222lb (600gsm).

Invitation Style

The style of your invitation will also play a role in determining the cardstock weight. Flat invitation cards, for example, are typically made from heavier cardstock (80lb and up), while folding invitation cards use lighter cardstock (65lb-100lb) since they are twice as thick after folding. If your invitation has multiple layers, it's recommended to keep the top layer light (80lb and under) and attach it to a heavier card.

Postage

Another consideration is postage cost. Invites weighing more than 1 ounce will require additional postage, so choosing a lighter cardstock can help keep costs down.

Personal Preference

Finally, it's important to consider your personal preference. Some people prefer thick, heavy cardstock, while others prefer lighter, thinner stock. Ultimately, it's your invitation, so choose the weight that works best for you, your design, and your budget.

• 80lb-90lb: Ideal for most home printers. It's on the thin side but can easily go through desktop printers.
• 100lb: Can work with some home printers but may cause issues with others. It gives invitations a more professional look while still allowing for standard postage rates.
• 110lb-130lb: The heaviest weight you can likely print yourself, this weight will give your invitations a professional look and feel.
• 150lb and up: Reserved for professional printers, embossers, and letterpress printing.

GSM vs. LBS

It's important to note that cardstock weight can be measured in grams per square meter (gsm) or pounds (lbs). The European metric scale of GSM is generally recommended as it's simpler and the higher the number, the thicker the paper. In contrast, the North American paper scale (lbs) can be confusing because a higher number doesn't always mean thicker paper.

Paper weight

The weight of paper is an important consideration when creating wedding invitations. The weight will impact the look and feel of the invitations and will determine what printers can be used.

• The Metric system—used across Europe, where paper is graded in grams per square meter (gsm). This system is more standardised than the American system and uses one measuring scale for all kinds of paper products.
• The U.S. System—where paper is measured in pounds (lbs). This system is more confusing as there are different categories of paper, such as cardstock and text paper.
• Text paper generally weighs between 20 lbs to 80 lbs. This is the type of paper found in home printers and is the standard 'letterhead' paper.
• Cardstock paper is heavier and feels like a postcard or business card. It is more rigid and has a weight range of 45 lbs to 200 lbs or higher.

Choosing the Right Paper Weight

When choosing the weight of your wedding invitations, there are a few factors to consider:

• Printing process—the type of printer you use will determine the weight of paper you can use. Most home printers can handle 80 lbs (216 gsm) to 100 lbs (270 gsm) cardstock. However, it is important to check your printer manual for specific recommendations.
• Invitation style—flat invitation cards are usually made with heavier cardstock (80 lbs cover and up), while folding invitation cards are made with lighter cardstock (65 lbs-100 lbs cover).
• Postage—the weight of your invitation will impact the postage cost. Invites weighing over 1 ounce will require additional postage.
• Personal preference—some people prefer thick, heavy cardstock, while others prefer lighter, thinner stock. Ultimately, it is a personal choice.

Recommended Paper Weights

• 80 lbs-90 lbs is ideal for most home printers and will give your invitations a professional look.
• 100 lbs-110 lbs will also work for some home printers and is heavy enough to give your invitations a luxurious feel without increasing postage costs.
• 110 lbs-130 lbs is the heaviest weight you will likely be able to print yourself and will give your invitations a very professional look.
• 150 lbs and above is best reserved for professional printers and will give your invitations an elegant and impressive finish.

Printing process

The printing process is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the type and weight of paper for your wedding invitations. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Printing at Home vs Professional Printing Services

If you plan on printing your wedding invitations at home, it's crucial to consider the paper weight capabilities of your printer. Most home printers are designed for lightweight copy paper, so you'll need to determine the maximum paper weight your printer can handle. While many consumer-grade printers can handle 80lb (216gsm) to 100lb (270gsm) cardstock, not all can. Be sure to consult your printer manual for specific information on cardstock printing.

On the other hand, if you decide to use a professional printing service, you'll have access to different printing methods and equipment. Before choosing an invitation paper, contact multiple print shops to understand their capabilities and discuss your specific requirements. It's a good idea to bring paper samples with you to ensure they can accommodate your chosen paper's weight, thickness, and texture.

Suggested Paper Weights for Popular Printing Methods

The printing method you choose will also influence the recommended paper weight for your wedding invitations:

• Offset printing: This method uses metal plates to transfer ink onto your paper. It offers consistent, superb-quality prints and can handle a variety of paper surfaces and weights. Most offset presses can work with weights up to 120lb cover (325gsm), and papers can be smooth or textured, coated or non-coated.
• Thermography: This technique produces prints with a raised effect that you can feel. It involves printing with slow-drying ink and then applying embossing powder before passing the paper through a heating mechanism. Thermography is typically used for printing in the range of 80lb cover (216gsm) to 120lb cover (325gsm).
• Letterpress printing: Letterpress printers use plates, hand-set type, and ink to press a design onto or into the paper. They can handle a variety of weights, finishes, and textures, but thicker cotton cardstock in the range of 111lb (300gsm) to 222lb (600gsm) is commonly used for wedding invitations.
• Digital printing: This method uses ink or toner to recreate a design on paper without plates or rollers. It is a fast and economical option, suitable for small invitation runs. Digital printing can handle a wide range of paper weights, from lightweight vellum to heavyweight cardstock (up to 120lb). However, it may have limitations with heavily textured papers.

Additional Considerations

When choosing the paper weight for your wedding invitations, keep in mind that thicker cardstock will generally result in a more luxurious and impressive feel. However, thicker paper may also increase postage costs, as invitations over 1 ounce require additional postage. Always check with your local post office to determine the accurate postage for your finished invitations.

Invitation style

The thickness of your wedding invitation card depends on the style of invitation you want to create.

Flat Invitation Card

If you are planning to create a flat invitation card, it is best to opt for a heavier weight cardstock. The standard weight for such cards is 80lb cover and above. This weight will give your invitations a more professional look and feel.

Folding Invitation Card

For a folding invitation card, it is recommended to use a lighter weight cardstock. Since the card will be folded in half, a popular weight range for this style is between 65lb-100lb cover. This will make it easier to fold the card neatly without it feeling too thick or bulky.

Layered Card

For a layered invitation card, you can choose a variety of weights. However, it is recommended to keep the top layer of the invitation light (80lb cover and under) and then attach it to a heavier card (80lb cover and up). This will ensure that the invitation has a sturdy base while still being easy to work with.

Postage Considerations

It is important to keep in mind that the weight of your invitation card will affect the postage cost. Any invite weighing over 1 ounce will require additional postage. If you want to keep postage costs down, consider using a lighter weight cardstock for your invitations.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the choice of cardstock weight is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer thick, heavy cardstock, while others prefer lighter, thinner stock. Choose the weight that you feel best represents your style and fits within your budget.

Postage

The weight of your wedding invitations will determine the cost of postage. The heavier the invitation, the more you will have to pay to send it. In the US, any invite weighing over 1 ounce requires additional postage.

If you are printing your invitations at home, most consumer-grade home printers can handle cardstock with a weight of 80-100 lb (216-270 gsm). However, not all printers are the same, so be sure to consult your printer manual for cardstock printing information and recommendations.

If you are using a professional printing service, consider the following:

• Offset printing: Most offset presses can handle weights up to 120 lb cover (325 gsm).
• Thermography: Thermography-printed invites usually use cardstock with a weight of 80-120 lb cover (216-325 gsm).
• Letterpress printing: Letterpress-printed invites are most commonly printed on thick, cotton cardstock with a weight of 111-222 lb (300-600 gsm).
• Digital printing: Digital printing can be done on a wide range of weights, from lightweight (30 lb) vellum printing to heavyweight (120 lb) cardstock printing.

If you want to keep postage costs down, use lighter cardstock for your invitations. However, if you are printing your invitations yourself, choosing thicker cardstock will give your invitations a more professional look.

Frequently asked questions