Ordering your invitations can be a daunting task. The following is a guide to help you through the whole process of selecting invitations, text and printing methods as well as getting those invitations in the mail.
Invitations should be ordered at least 4-5 months before your event. Be aware that some printers can take up to 4-6 weeks to deliver printed invitations. Letterpress and engraving can take slightly longer than thermography or off-set printing styles.
Consider the various styles of invitations and printing methods in order to choose an invitation that suits the style of your party and falls within your budget and timeline. We will help you customize the look and particulars of your invitation.
When choosing a date to mail your invitations consider, printing time and allow approximately two weeks for customized envelope addressing. Invitations should be mailed 6-8 weeks in advance and RSVP date should be 3-4 weeks before the event.
Wording: decide whether you would like traditional of contemporary wording, please confirm all names, initials, titles, and facts that will appear on the invitation. Double check all contracts and confirm with everyone whose names will appear on the invitation. We will help you with the text and correct form.
decide what components and accessories you will need to include in your invitations and how they are to be worded. Most invitations include a respond cards and envelope for their guests convenience. Consider when you will need you responses returned and what information you require from your guests. You may also need separate reception cards and directions cards and Thank you notes.
be sure to count invitations not invited guests! Remember, many guests are invited as couples or as a family). Add approximately 15-20 extras for mistakes and additions. Additional envelopes can be ordered at a minimal charge. Count carefully. If you have to reprint additional invitations after the order is completed the company will charge for a new order of 25 or 50.
Printing methods such as engraving, letterpress and thermography have different looks, feels and each offer their own set of fonts and ink colors. Be sure to choose a printing form, font and ink color that suits your needs. When choosing a font, it is always a good idea to double check capital letters and numbers that you will be using.
50% deposit is required on all printing orders. Your final balance will include sales tax and the direct shipping charge from the company to the store. Payment in full is required upon pickup.
The Proof is a faxed black and white copy of the text, font and layout of your invitations and the components. You will not be able to see paper or ink color. We strongly recommend requesting a proof of your invitations. While many companies have a small charge for this service, it is a good insurance policy and well worth the investment. This is your only opportunity to double check all details, spelling and layout before it is printed. The customer must carefully check the proof for spelling, dates, times and punctuation and sign. Your signature on the proof means that you are responsible for any errors. If there are no errors, but you would like to make changes there is an additional charge for a new proof.
The printing method you choose is important to the look, feel and cost of your invitation. Consider the following printing methods when shopping for invitations.
Engraved invitations express a quality and timeless classic elegance. Letters are engraved or etched into a copperplate which is rolled with ink and then wiped, leaving the ink only within etched lines. The hand-fed paper is then pressed into the plate, picking up the ink, and leaving a raised lettering that has a slight indentation on the back. The result is a beautifully sharp and rich impression, a true sign of hand craftsmanship.
Letterpress is a centuries-old printing technique which leaves a rich and palpable texture to your invitation. Raised type of letters and images are hand-set, inked and hand-pressed directly into a soft paper, leaving a crisp impression and a "pillow-like" richness.
Thermography is a modern alternative for attaining the raised printed effect of engraving. This is achieved with a chemical heat process which causes the ink to expand, resulting in a raised letter with a beautiful sheen.
Flat or off-set printing is a photo process resulting in a modern, sleek look. For those looking for a more matte contemporary feel, flat-printing may be the alternative you are looking for.
We offer several different ways to custom address your envelopes which take approximately two weeks, depending upon the size of the order and the time of the year. Please provide a printed list with all addressing orders.
Available BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Our professional calligraphers will match the style and color of your invitation.
We offer both computerized calligraphy and ink-jet printing; both are available in a wide assortment of styles and colors to match. These styles are slightly less expensive and generally offer a faster turn-around time than hand calligraphy. There is an additional discount for lists provided on a properly formatted (DOS format/ ASCII text only) disk.
Traditional invitations come with double envelopes, which should both be addressed, full names and address appear on outer envelopes, formal or familiar names with guests, children etc. on inner envelopes. If you prefer, the inner envelope can be left blank.
Contemporary invitations with only one envelope have all information on the outer envelope. Make sure to spell out all numbers under twenty and write out all abbreviations. When possible use full proper names.
As a rule of thumb make sure all the text of each piece goes in the same direction and that it is put in the envelope reading from left to right. Tissues are provided for traditional invitations to be placed over the text.
We recommend that you number the back of the respond cards to correspond to the address list. This will help you identify a response card if the signature is illegible or missing.
Don't seal your envelopes until all the parts are enclosed. We recommend using a dry glue stick instead of water for sealing your envelopes.
please be aware that, due to size and weight, many invitations require extra postage.
Weigh one entire set with all enclosures, including direction cards, at the Post Office for correct postage. Square envelopes always require extra postage. Check with the Post Office for proper rates. Don't forget that respond envelopes also require proper postage.