For many brides marriage marks the first
introduction to the world of stationery.
Maybe your a whiz at the perfect thank you
note for birthday presents and fabu dinner
parties but trust us, once you've spent some
time with 100% cotton rag and letterpress
printing you may find yourself falling in love
(we won't tell the groom).
Fine stationery is just so pretty.
introduction to the world of stationery.
Maybe your a whiz at the perfect thank you
note for birthday presents and fabu dinner
parties but trust us, once you've spent some
time with 100% cotton rag and letterpress
printing you may find yourself falling in love
(we won't tell the groom).
Fine stationery is just so pretty.
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So...getting started...the key components of invitation styles are the format, type of paper, paper
color, printing method, font and ink color. Invitations are usually priced by the set, invitation,
with envelope, respond card and matching envelope. Prices will vary from $2.00 a set on the low
end to $11 or more on the high end.
Don't start with things like ribbons, borders, motifs and beveled edges -until you've made the big
decisions. You can always add these niceties later - plus they cost extra. So first things first.
The format
A standard card, either square or rectangular is a classic. It's a little plain at first glance -
engraving and or letterpress look fabulous but thermography works well here too. You can add
simple monograms, ribbon and envelope liners to really add style with this format.
A script card is a long and narrow rectangle and fits into a standard no. 10 envelope. This style
doesn't work well with lots of enclosures or embellishments, but looks great with colored paper,
colored ink and or letterpress printing. A gate fold, also known as a pocket, has two panels that
open from the middle. The doors are held closed with a ribbon, band or tie. Inside the "doors,"
pockets can be attached for enclosure cards, making it a great choice for destination weddings
and/or wedding with lots going on.
An invitation that folds into three panels is called a tri fold, it can also be known as a pocket. One
panel contains the invitation wording and the other may contain a pocket filled with reception
details, directions and /or accommodations. When the third panel is perforated and used a reply
card this is called a "seal and send."
The paper
Beyond issues of taste you will need to choose paper that works well with your choice of printing
method. Cotton - from Crane or William Arthur - makes for a substantial, very creamy card,
that's naturally acid free and won't yellow with age. Wood fiber - from companies like Carlson
Craft - which can achieve similar effects, is still an attractive and affordable option. You'll
probably also run into what's called vellum. Vellum is a thin translucent parchment that's often
attached to a card stock for a layered effect. Flat print or thermography is the way to go here, as
vellum can not stand up to engraving or letterpress. As for paper color - the world is your oyster.
Printing Method
A critical element of the invitation is how it's printed. It effects the look, turnaround time and
price. True paper divas will actually tell you that printing quality is everything. Now don't get
us wrong; a traditional 100% cotton, standard card in ecru, engraved in black is beyond
beautiful but if you've decided on lime paper matted onto chocolate card stock and wrapped in
organza, thermography or offset printing will work just as well. It's really is what's more
important to you. If switching from letterpress to themography is going to give you an open bar
for an extra hour or a bigger cake then it could be well worth the trade.
The font
The font effects the look of the invitation more than anything else. The typeface conveys mood,
and the formality of the event. For a casual beach wedding, you might consider a sans serif font
rather than a traditional script font like Helinda Rook. Make readability your number one
priority. It's no good using a script heavy with flourishes, swirls and swoops when no one can read
it well enough to understand when and where you getting married. If you must have Bickham
Swash then consider mixing it up - use the heavily flourished font for just your names and print
the invitation details in something else like Engravers Gothic.
Ink color
Charcoal and black are the tried and true ink color choices but colors like chocolate, gold and
taupe are great ways to add style. Soft greens are perfect for spring, summer and fall weddings.
Cranberry sets a rich festive tone for late fall and holiday weddings. Most brides will want to
choose their ink color based on the color scheme chosen for the wedding. Your invitation is a great
way to introduce your colors to your guests but do so carefully. If your color choices are purple
and ivory, you may want to opt for a purple toned liner versus purple ink on ivory paper. Your
guests will get a sense of your style but will still be able to read your invitation.
Monograms and Other Decorative Touches
Ah, the extras! Often these added embellishments will add character, a theme or style to your
invitation. Many stationery vendors will offer a motif, monogram or flourish at no extra charge.
They are most seen at the top of an invitation but you can be creative and place it in other
locations- offset to the left or right of your text for a quirky vibe or at the bottom for an
interesting touch. Again remember to choose these added touches carefully and wisely. Too
many extras and you will overwhelm your invitation.
Enclosures
In addition to the invitation, reply card, and reply card envelope, you may to include one or
more enclosures.
color, printing method, font and ink color. Invitations are usually priced by the set, invitation,
with envelope, respond card and matching envelope. Prices will vary from $2.00 a set on the low
end to $11 or more on the high end.
Don't start with things like ribbons, borders, motifs and beveled edges -until you've made the big
decisions. You can always add these niceties later - plus they cost extra. So first things first.
The format
A standard card, either square or rectangular is a classic. It's a little plain at first glance -
engraving and or letterpress look fabulous but thermography works well here too. You can add
simple monograms, ribbon and envelope liners to really add style with this format.
A script card is a long and narrow rectangle and fits into a standard no. 10 envelope. This style
doesn't work well with lots of enclosures or embellishments, but looks great with colored paper,
colored ink and or letterpress printing. A gate fold, also known as a pocket, has two panels that
open from the middle. The doors are held closed with a ribbon, band or tie. Inside the "doors,"
pockets can be attached for enclosure cards, making it a great choice for destination weddings
and/or wedding with lots going on.
An invitation that folds into three panels is called a tri fold, it can also be known as a pocket. One
panel contains the invitation wording and the other may contain a pocket filled with reception
details, directions and /or accommodations. When the third panel is perforated and used a reply
card this is called a "seal and send."
The paper
Beyond issues of taste you will need to choose paper that works well with your choice of printing
method. Cotton - from Crane or William Arthur - makes for a substantial, very creamy card,
that's naturally acid free and won't yellow with age. Wood fiber - from companies like Carlson
Craft - which can achieve similar effects, is still an attractive and affordable option. You'll
probably also run into what's called vellum. Vellum is a thin translucent parchment that's often
attached to a card stock for a layered effect. Flat print or thermography is the way to go here, as
vellum can not stand up to engraving or letterpress. As for paper color - the world is your oyster.
Printing Method
A critical element of the invitation is how it's printed. It effects the look, turnaround time and
price. True paper divas will actually tell you that printing quality is everything. Now don't get
us wrong; a traditional 100% cotton, standard card in ecru, engraved in black is beyond
beautiful but if you've decided on lime paper matted onto chocolate card stock and wrapped in
organza, thermography or offset printing will work just as well. It's really is what's more
important to you. If switching from letterpress to themography is going to give you an open bar
for an extra hour or a bigger cake then it could be well worth the trade.
The font
The font effects the look of the invitation more than anything else. The typeface conveys mood,
and the formality of the event. For a casual beach wedding, you might consider a sans serif font
rather than a traditional script font like Helinda Rook. Make readability your number one
priority. It's no good using a script heavy with flourishes, swirls and swoops when no one can read
it well enough to understand when and where you getting married. If you must have Bickham
Swash then consider mixing it up - use the heavily flourished font for just your names and print
the invitation details in something else like Engravers Gothic.
Ink color
Charcoal and black are the tried and true ink color choices but colors like chocolate, gold and
taupe are great ways to add style. Soft greens are perfect for spring, summer and fall weddings.
Cranberry sets a rich festive tone for late fall and holiday weddings. Most brides will want to
choose their ink color based on the color scheme chosen for the wedding. Your invitation is a great
way to introduce your colors to your guests but do so carefully. If your color choices are purple
and ivory, you may want to opt for a purple toned liner versus purple ink on ivory paper. Your
guests will get a sense of your style but will still be able to read your invitation.
Monograms and Other Decorative Touches
Ah, the extras! Often these added embellishments will add character, a theme or style to your
invitation. Many stationery vendors will offer a motif, monogram or flourish at no extra charge.
They are most seen at the top of an invitation but you can be creative and place it in other
locations- offset to the left or right of your text for a quirky vibe or at the bottom for an
interesting touch. Again remember to choose these added touches carefully and wisely. Too
many extras and you will overwhelm your invitation.
Enclosures
In addition to the invitation, reply card, and reply card envelope, you may to include one or
more enclosures.
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