Choosing The Best Wedding Invite Printing Service

Planning a wedding can be an expensive and time-consuming process. One way to save money is to design your own wedding invitations or use free printable templates and customise them. You can print them at home, but this takes a lot of time, effort and printer ink. A cheaper option is to outsource your wedding invitation printing to an online printing service or a local print shop. Some online printing services include Vistaprint, Prints of Love, Zazzle, and Overnight Prints.

Online printing services

There are many online printing services available for printing wedding invites. Here are some of the popular ones:

Prints of Love

Prints of Love offers high-quality and affordable printing services with free 2-3 day shipping. They print items in a wide range of sizes and orientations, so you can order all your wedding details, from invitations to RSVP cards, menus, and thank you cards, from their interface. They also offer customizations like rounded edges, and you can upgrade your order to linen paper. They also provide free basic envelopes and have an eco-friendly initiative where a tree is planted for every order placed.

Vistaprint

Vistaprint is an inexpensive online printing option that provides quality paper goods. They have a wide range of styles and paper stocks to choose from and often have sales and coupon codes available. You can easily use their site to print wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, thank you cards, and any other printed materials needed for wedding celebrations. They also offer their own templates if you don't want to design something yourself.

Zazzle

Zazzle offers thousands of wedding invitation templates that can be customized and ordered through their website. In addition to invitations, they also have coordinating pieces like table numbers, signage, menus, and wedding programs. The cost of printing on Zazzle can vary depending on the templates chosen, but uploading a custom design is also an option.

Overnight Prints

Overnight Prints offers high-quality printing services for save-the-date cards, wedding invitations, day-of stationery, and wedding thank-you notes. They are environmentally conscious and use recycled paper and waterless printing.

Canva

Canva is a DIY design tool and online printer that allows you to design and print your own wedding invitations. They offer free templates and the option to print through their platform. You can also use Canva to design other wedding stationery, such as save-the-date cards and bridal shower invitations.

Local print shops

• Customisation Options: Local print shops often offer a wide range of customisation options to make your invites unique. This includes different paper types, such as kraft paper, cardstock, or even business card paper. You can also choose from various finishes, such as gloss, matte, or linen, and add special features like rounded corners or foil accents.
• Design Flexibility: You have the freedom to design your invites yourself or purchase a template from sites like Etsy. Local print shops typically accept a variety of file formats, making it easy to upload and print your designs.
• Quick Turnaround: Many local print shops offer same-day or next-day printing services, which is ideal if you're working with a tight timeline. They may also provide cutting services for an additional fee, saving you time and effort.
• Personalised Service: When you work with a local print shop, you can discuss your specific needs and receive tailored advice. They can guide you through paper choices, printing techniques, and custom finishes to ensure your invites are exactly as you envision.
• Cost-Effectiveness: While costs can vary, local print shops often offer competitive prices, especially if you're printing in bulk. Some shops may also offer discounts for providing your own paper or if you're willing to wait a few days for your order.
• Support Local Businesses: By choosing a local print shop, you're directly supporting a small business in your community. This can foster a sense of connection and contribute to the growth of local enterprises.

• Communication: Clearly communicate your expectations, including the quantity, paper type, finish, and any special requests. Ask for a quote and confirm the turnaround time to ensure your invites are ready when you need them.
• Proofreading: Before finalising your design, carefully review the text, spelling, and grammar. Print shops typically print exactly what you provide, so proofreading is essential to avoid any embarrassing mistakes.
• Paper Quality: If you opt for a premium paper type, ask for a sample to ensure it meets your expectations. Feel the texture, check the thickness, and consider how it enhances your design.
• Envelopes and Addressing: Discuss envelope options with the print shop, including colour, size, and weight. Some shops may offer free envelope addressing services or provide custom return address stamps or labels.
• Pickup or Delivery: Clarify whether you need to pick up your order or if they offer delivery services. If delivery is required, confirm the associated costs and estimated delivery time.

Overall, local print shops offer a convenient, flexible, and personalised option for printing your wedding invites, allowing you to create elegant and memorable invitations for your special day.

DIY at home

Printing your wedding invites at home is a great way to save money, but it can be time-consuming and you'll need to make sure you have the right equipment. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get the best results:

Choose a Template:

Firstly, decide on a design for your invitations. You can find a variety of templates online, with sites like Etsy, Canva, and Zazzle offering customizable options. When choosing a template, consider the style you want—simple and elegant, bold and colorful, or maybe a watercolor motif. Keep in mind that designs with more white space and lighter color backgrounds will look better on home printers and save on ink.

Buy or Download the Template:

Once you've chosen your template, read the product description carefully. Check what software you'll need to edit the template and ensure you're comfortable using it. Also, double-check what content is and isn't editable. If you want to change any heteronormative or gender-normative language, make sure you can do so.

Edit the Template:

Now it's time to customize your template with your wedding details. If you're comfortable with the software, you can edit the template yourself. However, if you're unsure or want a professional finish, consider paying the template designer a small fee to edit it for you. They can ensure the wording suits your style and that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.

Choose the Right Paper:

The next step is to select the right paper for printing. Opt for cardstock or paper stock rather than regular thin printer paper. A thicker paper, such as a 120 lb. uncoated cardstock, will give a more luxurious feel. You can also choose paper with a texture, such as linen or felt. To get the best results, buy a sample pack of wedding stationery paper to test on your printer.

Check Your Printer Settings:

Before printing, make sure your equipment is working properly. Clean the inkjets and printer rollers, and adjust the settings to get the colors you want. Choose the highest quality color option and select 'photo paper' as the paper type, even if you're using regular paper. If your printer doesn't have the exact size option you need, create a custom size within the settings and save it for future use.

Print Your Invitations:

Now you're ready to print! If your design has a colorful background, be prepared to use a lot of ink. You may want to experiment with generic ink cartridges to save money. Also, consider printing a few test invitations to check the quality before committing to printing your entire batch.

Cut and Trim:

If you've printed your invitations onto a larger piece of card, you'll need to cut them down to size. You can use a craft knife, a ruler, and a cutting mat, or opt for a guillotine or paper trimmer. This step can be time-consuming, so consider delegating it to a friend or family member.

Assemble and Send:

Finally, it's time to assemble your invitations. Use glue dots or double-stick tape for a neat finish. Don't forget to include any inserts or embellishments. Once your invitations are complete, take one to the post office to have it weighed and calculate the correct postage. Remember to allow at least eight weeks before your wedding day to send out your invitations.

Templates

There are many options available for couples who want to print their own wedding invitations using templates. This can be a great way to save money on design and shipping costs, or to reduce production time. However, it is important to consider the time, effort and cost of ink required to print your own invitations.

Canva is a popular option for customisable wedding invitation templates. The website offers a user-friendly interface and a number of free wedding invitation templates. You can add photos, adjust the font and change the colour scheme with just a few clicks. Canva also offers in-house printing for an extra cost, but you can also download your finished file as a "PDF Print" to print yourself.

Another option is to purchase a template on Etsy and have it printed at a store like Staples. Templates on Etsy suit every budget and style, and you can also find cardstock and accessories on the site.

Other websites that offer customisable wedding invitation templates include Greetings Island, Zazzle, Prints of Love, Vistaprint, and Overnight Prints.

Paper stock

The paper stock you choose for your wedding invites will depend on the type of printer you have, the design of your invite, and your budget.

Printer

The type of printer you have will determine the paper thickness, or weight, that you can use. Desktop printers are often limited in the paper thickness they can handle. Review your printer's instructions and do a test print to determine the maximum weight your printer can handle. If you're printing at home, start with 80# cardstock and increase the weight until you encounter issues like smudging or jamming.

Design

If you're using an inkjet printer, you may want to use textured cardstock, as inkjet printing can sometimes look fuzzy. A linen or cotton cardstock is a good choice for hiding imperfections. Cotton cardstock is also considered "photo-safe", meaning it will keep better in your wedding album for years to come. If you're including photos or illustrations in your design, a linen cardstock will make these pop more than cotton.

Budget

The thicker the cardstock, the more professional your invites will look and feel, but this will also increase the cost. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the weight in pounds, the thicker the cardstock. For most home printers, 80-90# cardstock is ideal. 100# cardstock can be used in some home printers and will give your invitations a professional look. 110-130# cardstock will give your invitations the most professional look but may require industrial printers.

Where to Buy

You can buy paper stock for your wedding invites from online retailers like Amazon, or from specialist paper shops like The Paper Mill Store.

Frequently asked questions