Use a laser printer, that way your invitations won't run if they get wet. If no laser printer is available, make one copy and have duplicates made at a local copy center.
Set aside plenty of time. You'd be surprised how long it can take to make your invitations.
Use quality clip art. Image resolution should be 300 DPI, especially if you are having your invitations printed by a printer. Clipart.com is a great source. A one week membership is $14.95, but you can download all the art you want or need.
Expirement with Vellum overlays (printed or unprinted), cutouts, rubber stamps and ribbon.
Use good quality paper. French Paper sells wonderful, print quality paper online. 80lb. Cover Stock should be used for invitations, response and reply cards.80lb. Text should be used for scroll invites.
Make sure you design your invitation to fit into a comon sized envelope:
- Announcement Large: 5.75" x 8.75"
- Announcement Small: 4.375" x 5.75"
- Booklet/Catalog: 6" x 9", 6.5" x 9.5"
- Standard #10 Envelope: 4.125" x 9.5"
Columbian makes economical envelopes in the sizes listed above. They can be purchased at your local office supply store. Paper companies and printers sell invitation envelopes of higher quality. Make sure your VERIFY all your sizes, as they can vary
Make your own Scroll Invitations NOTE: This is a time consuming, sometimes tricky project. Unless you possess the fortitude, It is best done for small weddings.
1. Design your invitation. Here is a template to help you out.
2. Print and cut.
3. Cut .5" thick dowel rods to 7" or 7.5" length.
4. Stain dowel rods & ball finials. Let dry overnight.
5. Glue ball finials onto dowel rods.
6. Glue dowel rod pieces onto top and bottom of invitation. Use a minimum of glue.
7. Roll invitation from both ends until dowel rods meet in the center of the invite. Tie with ribbon.
8. Place in a mailing tube (www.uline.com has a good selection of tubes.) #10 Envelopes in matching paper would also work.
