So, many of you want to send out a classy invitation without compromising the integrity of the event. Now there are a few things to think about when you start on your quest. What do you need to send, for example, do you need enclosure cards, direction cards. What are some things that you know you want and what are somethings that you will be willing to compromise. The problem with going with a cheaper company is that the stock is not as thick and there are usually less options. However, it could be a good opportunity to cut some costs.
There are three levels of invitations:
High Price-Quality--->Crane's or William Arthur
this also includes any invitation with many layers or ribbons.
Mid-Price- Quality---> Checkerboard, elite, encore
This is a good place to be the quality is usually pretty good and the price is not that bad.
Low-Price- Quality--->Carlson Craft
Paper on this end can get pretty thin, but depending on the invitation you can actually make
out pretty well.
also keep in mind adding paper layers, ribbons or any major changes may add drastic amounts to your price. You also need to think about what is the most important thing to you. Is it important to have an engraved invitation? Or a lining? You may want to compromise and cut back on certain things in order to get something that you really want.
as always questions to krcritcs@gmail.com
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
printing styles
There are five main printing styles when you go with one of the companies. It is important to know what these are and what the differences are.
Thermography- The majority of the invitations that you receive are probably done in this method. Basically they use heat, colored powder and glue to raise the printing on the invitations. It is the least expensive of the raised printing methods and is a great alternative to engraving. It does look a bit rubbery and waxy, but it doesn't take anything away from the invitation. Thermography is transparent and takes on the color of the paper, so it is suitable for light papers only. Also metallic colors don't show up as well with thermograpy, so if you are set on gold spring for the engraving.
Engraving- This is the most traditional method and the most expensive. It is done with ink and a customized plate that pushes the paper up. The plate is yours and it makes it much easier if you want to get more printed. Engraving is a must if you want a colored paper, such as black, red, blue ect. Not all companies do engraving, but if you want to spend some extra money engraving is a classy way to go. However, if you are out to save your pennies for the extra cake instead go with thermogrophy.
Letterpress- Letterpress is the same method as engraving, only opposite. It is pushed into the paper. This gives the invitation a subtle look and is very classy. This method is usually reserved for softer papers and gives the effect of a pillowy invite. This is less expensive than engraving, but more than thermography and flat.
Flat- Flat printing is usually the same as thremography as far as price goes, but --eh flat. Some place, like Kinko's and Minute Men will do flat printing on the spot cheap, but it may not be the best quality.
Blind Embossing- You see this mostly on envelopes for return addresses or monograms. It has no color and is just an impression of the words or monogram. Usually this is included in the price, but it depends on the vendor.
---One thing to keep in mind---
When you want to get creative it is okay to mix type styles at no extra charge, but if you want to add more then one ink color it can get expensive. Whenever you want to change the printing color or method you get charged a second pass charge.
Thermography- The majority of the invitations that you receive are probably done in this method. Basically they use heat, colored powder and glue to raise the printing on the invitations. It is the least expensive of the raised printing methods and is a great alternative to engraving. It does look a bit rubbery and waxy, but it doesn't take anything away from the invitation. Thermography is transparent and takes on the color of the paper, so it is suitable for light papers only. Also metallic colors don't show up as well with thermograpy, so if you are set on gold spring for the engraving.
Engraving- This is the most traditional method and the most expensive. It is done with ink and a customized plate that pushes the paper up. The plate is yours and it makes it much easier if you want to get more printed. Engraving is a must if you want a colored paper, such as black, red, blue ect. Not all companies do engraving, but if you want to spend some extra money engraving is a classy way to go. However, if you are out to save your pennies for the extra cake instead go with thermogrophy.
Letterpress- Letterpress is the same method as engraving, only opposite. It is pushed into the paper. This gives the invitation a subtle look and is very classy. This method is usually reserved for softer papers and gives the effect of a pillowy invite. This is less expensive than engraving, but more than thermography and flat.
Flat- Flat printing is usually the same as thremography as far as price goes, but --eh flat. Some place, like Kinko's and Minute Men will do flat printing on the spot cheap, but it may not be the best quality.
Blind Embossing- You see this mostly on envelopes for return addresses or monograms. It has no color and is just an impression of the words or monogram. Usually this is included in the price, but it depends on the vendor.
---One thing to keep in mind---
When you want to get creative it is okay to mix type styles at no extra charge, but if you want to add more then one ink color it can get expensive. Whenever you want to change the printing color or method you get charged a second pass charge.
Cranes
Cranes is a fairly traditional company and runs very high on the price meter. However, if you can afford the luxury they are a trusted and classy company. Cranes offers many choices and you can customize it pretty much however you want, but be ready to pay the price for it. Basically when you are looking to do a Cranes invitation you need to look at the card first. Look at the shape, color and weight of the card--don't be afraid to feel it nobody will look at you like you are a crazy paper loving lunatic, I promise. Next, decide what color you are looking to do.
Traditional is black,brown, gold, copper, or silver ink with white or ecru paper. If you are looking to go with a semi traditional look you can stay with the Cranes and switch up the colors. Cranes is good for adding funky or really classy liners. Envelope liners add so much to an invitations, so do not overlook them. Motifs and monograms are another great thing about cranes they have so many to choose from you will defiantly find one for you. The invitation should say something about you and about the affair that you want to have.
Where to start
Planning a wedding is a daunting task, but with the help of professionals it can be an enjoyable experience. When looking for invitations you may become overwhelmed with all the styles that there are to choose from. How do you choose? Well first you need to decide what the feel of your wedding will be. Very traditional, black tie, modern, funky, some kind of theme, or anything else you want. Hopefully by the time that you are looking for invitations you have chosen a color scheme or theme for you wedding. It is not imperative that your invitations match your colors, but it should reflect the type of affair that you will have. If you have no clue what type of invitations you want, fear not. You can go to any store that sells invitations and just look through the books. There should be a person there that will take you through the books and answer any questions. Now there are a few different methods to get your invitations, you can order them through a company like Cranes, you can design and put them together yourself or you can buy a pre-made invite and print them yourself or take them to a printer. The best bet is to start researching online, but before you order I would go to a store and feel the stock. There is nothing worse then getting your invitations and having them feel like toilet paper. So, my first tip when starting your search for wedding invitations is to look online and check into the styles that you want then hit the streets and go out and feel those invitations. When you look at the samples in the books it gives you a sense of what the invite will really look like.
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