After making wedding invitations and stationery for over 25 years, I'm often contacted by brides who wanted to make their own wedding invitations by come unstuck for a variety of reasons. So in order to avoid making the same mistakes, here's 7 things you simple MUST know.
1. Printing methods
I’m guessing if you are printing at home you are using an
ink-jet printer. Be aware that not all card is suitable for ink jets and your
printing could smudge or bleed.
At Inspired by Script we use a laser printer which gives a
clean and crisp quality to our invitations, this ensures also that our foil
also looks clean and crisp.
2. Design
Layout and design is important. Get this wrong and the
whole thing can look cheap and nasty. Take care also when choosing fonts for
your cards. Make sure it’s readable. Some fonts may look fancy, but when
printed at a small size and with aging eyes, making out what it actually says
can be a problem. Focus on a fancy design and plain font rather than the other
way round. Another word of advice is…. Make sure your design isn’t ink heavy.
If you are making your invitations to save money, it could very well cost you
more in the long run.
3. Paper/card stock
Card is described by weight. The thicker the card the higher
the number. At Inspired by Script we use 260gms for folded cards and 330gsm for
flat invitations. We like our invitations to hold their shape and not curl or
flop. It’s most likely that this weight is too thick for home printers. Choose
a weight that is suitable for your printer and buy a few sheets to try
first….before you rush out and by reams of the stuff.
4. Envelopes
Buy your envelopes first. It’s far easier to make cards to
fit envelopes than the other way round. I’ve seen some beautiful cards having
to be remade because the maker couldn’t find an envelope to fit.
5. Embellishments
If you want to add embellishments to your cards remember
that the flatter the embellishment the better. Seeing great examples of buckles
and large flowers on Pinterest is all very well, but try stuffing it and
closing the envelope and you’ll be…..well stuffed. You can of course post your
cards in a box but be aware of the extra postage costs.
6. Postage
Take postage into account. The more sheets, the heavier the
envelope, the more postage you’ll have to pay. I had a client that was over the
moon I could make her the scroll invitations she dreamed of…. Until I pointed
out that a box would cost an extra £1 and the posted was £3. If you want to
include more than the invitation….for example RSVP card, Accommodation, Menu
choice etc. consider pocket fold invitations or wallets.
7. Time Scale
If you are a naturally arty/crafty kind of person then you
will already be aware of how much time your invitations will take to design and
make. Don’t underestimate the time needed. Making half a dozen Christmas cards
is one thing but convert that into 50 – 70 invitations when you are working
full time and making invitations in your ‘spare time’ could drive you up the
wall. I’ve had to do ‘rush jobs’ for couples that simply ran out of time or steam.
Rather than aim to make your cards over a whole weekend, if
you are not used to mass production, I suggest you break the making down into
small chunks. This is particularly useful if you have a short attention span.
Alternatively you could ask your crafty Bridesmaids or female family members
round and supply them with a few drinks and nibbles and make a night of it.
Have you or are you planning on making your own invitations or stationery?
What problems did you come across?
We love seeing what you've created. Want to share a picture?
Email me at inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk
Are you stuck? Leave a comment below and if I can help I will!
Happy crafting! Sue x
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