I don’t want to bog down this blog post with a bunch of filler information, my main goal here it to provide as much tangible and informative advice as possible - so lets get into it!
Basically I’m here to give you all my secrets! I’ll be covering where I sourced the paper for three different invite suites, where I got them each printed and all the things I wish I’d known beforehand.
l e t ‘ s t a l k p a p e r g o o d s
HANNAH + CHRIS INVITATION SUITE
5x7” deckled edge wedding white 111# cardstock from LCI HERE. This is the foliage detail layer you see on the bottom.
* printed at my local FedEx Office Print & Ship Center *
8.5x11” 30# vellum from Cards & Pockets HERE. The quote is printed on this layer and it was printed on my home printer because it is not laser safe. I get more into this in the section below where I talk about ‘Things I didn’t know and wish I had’.
* printed at home on my inkjet printer*
8.5x11” Snow White Matte 100# heavy cover weight card stock from Cards & Pockets HERE . This is the layer the actual informative invite is printed on.
* printed at my local FedEx Office Print & Ship Center *
8.5x11” Tangy Orange Matte 100# heavy cover weight card stock from Cards & Pockets HERE . This is what the rsvp’s are printed on. Note that this is discontinued so it may no longer be in stock.
* printed at my local FedEx Office Print & Ship Center *
A2 deckled edge rsvp envelopes from LCI paper HERE .
A7 Poptone Jellybean Green Euro envelopes HERE
TAYLOR + KYLE INVITATION SUITE
5x7” deckled edge wedding white 111# main invitation paper
from LCI HERE
* printed at my local FedEx Office Print & Ship Center *
3.5x4.25” deckled edge wedding white 111# rsvp paper from LCI. Yes, I used deckled edge paper smaller than 5x7” and it was a TERRIBLE mistake. The nicest thing I can do is NOT link it because I don’t want the same thing that happened to me to happen to you - that’s a blog post for another time.
8.5x11” dusty rose 90# cover weight card stock for info insert from Cards & Pockets HERE
* printed at my local FedEx Office Print & Ship Center *
8.5x11” dusty blue 90# cover weight card stock for rehearsal dinner insert from Cards & Pockets HERE
* printed at my local FedEx Office Print & Ship Center *
A7 dusty blue euro flap invitation envelopes from Cards & Pockets HERE
A2 sand grey V-Flap rsvp envelope from Jam Paper HERE
* printed at my local FedEx Office Print & Ship Center *
LEXI + CAM INVITATION SUITE
8.5x11” Snow White Matte 100# heavy cover weight card stock from Cards & Pockets HERE . I used this for both the invite and the rsvp. I opted for white paper and color printing so that I could achieve the white lettering without a machine that does white printing.
* printed at my local FedEx Office Print & Ship Center *
Things + sources
I use and love -
Address stamps –
Custom rubber stamp from rubberstamps
Envelope addressing materials –
Dr. PH Martins bleed proof white
Printing –
Here’s the thing, I still haven’t found a printer I trust + love 100%. I live in Eugene, which isn’t a small town by any means, but it’s also not the biggest city in Oregon and I’ve come to realize that most specialty print shops are in big cities. Yes, I’ve been able to get the print jobs done that I needed, with the exception of one and boy was that a freaking disaster, but that’s a blog post for another day. However, ideally I’d like to find a place that does it all and specializes in working with designers on things like wedding invitations and day of items. Maybe I’m crazy in thinking that there’s a places out there that stocks the paper I order online, is able to print on allll different paper textures, and provides services like letterpress and foil print. Paper making friends, am I wrong in this? I’d love if you chimed in in the comments and let this rookie know a thing or two.
So here’s what’s worked for me, kind of. I either take my paper that I’ve ordered off of , CARDS & POCKETS , LCI PAPER , JAM PAPER , or CUT CARD STOCK to my FedEx Office Print & Ship Center or Central Print - a local print shop here in Eugene. Personally I’ve found it best to physically go in to the print shop. I take in my own paper and files and talk with someone about what I want. I’m terrible at explaining things over the phone or online and I feel like I have more control over the situation if I’m face to face. They’re typically super helpful and often times are able to print off a proof on the spot for me to approve. Don’t be shy to ask for what you need and stand up for yourself if something doesn’t turn out how you expected.
Some of my favorite paper things:
Favorite white cardstock HERE
Favorite ivory cardstock HERE
Favorite quality invite envelopes HERE
Favorite quality rsvp envelopes HERE
Favorite deckled edge invite envelopes HERE
Favorite deckled edge rsvp envelopes HERE
Things I didn’t know
& wish I had -
You can’t print white ink. Well, technically you can but you better make sure a print shop near you offers that service before you tell your client you offer it.
You can get white print. Just order your favorite white cardstock and design your file with white print on the background color of your choice. The backside of your paper will still be white but it’s a great alternative if you don’t have access to a print shop that offers white ink printing.
It’s always best to get 8.5 x 11” cardstock. This will save you + your client money. The more prints you can get on one sheet the cheaper your overall cost will be. You just have to pay the extra fee for cutting.
Don’t forget the bleed. I’m sure there’s a print shop out there that is able to print to the edge but none near me and I’m going to assume it might be that way for you too. This is why printing on paper larger than your design is key.
Not all paper is created equal. If you’re bringing in your own personal stock to a print shop you need to make sure its laser safe and the weight can go through their printer. For example FedEx can’t print over 100#. Check with the shop first to see what their requirements are. If you don’t have proof that the stock you’ve brought in won’t melt or mess up their printers it’s unlikely they’ll print on it for you.
Don’t underestimate how long the design process will take you. If you’re creating a custom suite for someone expect multiple revisions and price accordingly. Like everything I do for the first time, it’s a learning process. You’ll never be able to anticipate how long a project is going to take you if you’ve never done it before. If you price quote by the hour, like me, then this is a bit of a hail Mary. I say just do your best and you’ll know better for next time.
Don’t offer handmade paper unless you have a printer at home that’s capable of printing on deckled edges. Yes, I am sure, or at least I have high hopes that there are print shops out there capable of printing on handmade, deckled edge paper. However, chances are slim and until you’re well versed in the paper goods world I’d leave this paper to the professionals. The exception being, if this is the style you want to specialize in then go for it, just do your research, thoroughly before you start offering it to potential clients.
Order paper samples. I recommend ordering samples of the colors you plan on offering or would like to potentially work with. This will save you the headache of ordering a color for your client that you think looks right on the screen but shows up nothing like you envisioned. Plus having a color wheel of paper samples comes in super handy when designing suites or working with clients. Skip the guessing game and just order the samples.
If you have any questions leave them below & if you have any tips for me, leave those too ; )
with love,
Kalen
