Types of Wedding Invitations Paper and Printing Style 2023
With so many different types of wedding invitations to choose from, deciding what to pick can be daunting. Do you know your glassine from your vellum? If not, don’t worry! We’ll take you through your main alternatives for wedding invitation paper to help you decide. We’ll also talk you through different printing techniques. Then you can choose if you really need to splash out on embossed wedding invites or whether letterpress would do.
Before you start invitation printing, you must finalize all of the details of your special day. Re-printing on wedding invite paper due to an error or change in the proceedings can be incredibly costly. Double-check your invites’ every detail before you approve those prints. Knowing all the details of your wedding day will also help you choose the right style of invitations. Your invitation paper and envelopes are the first impressions you give your guests. Without further ado, let’s explore our paper for wedding invitations top picks.
Types of Invitation Paper
Recycled
Brown recycled kraft paper invitations are great for rustic-style weddings. Besides, if you’re an eco-friendly couple, you likely already know that recycled paper saves trees. If you want to go green, make sure all your wedding invite materials are natural. Glitter or ribbons contain icky plastic more often than not!
Related post: 27 Ideas for Unique Wedding Invitations
Cotton Fiber
Cotton fiber is not your average natural material. It is pretty tough and lasts long so that you can keep your invitations as keepsakes for life. Manufacturers make cotton fiber from fresh cotton pieces called linters or from recycled cloth. The meticulous crafting process ensures a mark-free finish on the paper. Cotton paper invitations often have a luxury feel and can be very soft, with great printing surfaces.
Linen
Linen paper invitations provide a more textured fabric that looks spectacular and luxurious. However, while it might seem like a textile material, you can still print on it like you would on regular party invitation paper. Linen is usually cotton blend paper, so it is likely to be high-quality — therefore, expensive.
Vellum
More and more couples are choosing vellum for all types of wedding invitations. But if you’re a cruelty-free bride, don’t fret! Vellum isn’t made from animals anymore! Modern vellum contains cellulose fibers made into a smooth and sheer crepe paper. This clear invitation paper comes in a variety of colors that look gorgeous, both layered or on their own. Use vellum in contrast with other textured materials for a more luxurious effect.
Glassine
Glassine is light, translucent, and waxy to the touch. Water and grease-resistant, this material is an excellent choice for envelopes because it keeps finger marks off your invites. Even though it doesn’t look like regular paper, it still accepts color well. As a result, you can decorate it with beautiful artwork. Used as an overlay, it can be a beautiful accent to other materials, elevating the look of your paper invitations.
Printing Techniques
Digital
Digital printing may not seem like the best first choice for wedding invitations. However, it can be rather useful. It’s a cost-friendly option that saves you money for other aspects of your big day. It is also a quick alternative — great if you’re in a rush! Using a high-quality printer gives a choice of vibrant colors. Still, try to resist the temptation to use a cheap laser printer for invitations.
Thermography
It can be hard to tell the difference between thermography wedding invitations and classic engraving. But trust us, your wallet will know! Thermography is one of the most common types of wedding invitations as it is a budget-friendly printing technique. It’s an old-school method that uses heat to raise the ink off the page, giving a shiny, tactile finish. Even though it is cheap, it still looks lovely.
Engraving and Embossing
Wedding invitations embossed or engraved with the event’s details serve as genuine quality indicators other methods try to imitate. To make a wedding invitation engraving, you need a custom stone printing plate to squeeze the paper hard enough to transfer the design. This technique produces a neat print with a crisp and detailed finish.
On the other hand, embossing pushes the invitation paper into shape to bring it to life. Engraving is a classic look, but an embossed wedding invitation gives your guests a more modern and tactile experience.
Letterpress
Once considered the poor cousin of embossed wedding invitations, letterpress is now an art form of its own. It has the classic, modern look of embossing and offers a romantic feel at a fraction of the cost. Letterpress only needs a soft touch on a metal plate to transfer the design. Because it requires less pressure, it is a much more affordable option with a faster turnaround time.
Foil Stamping
This trendy printing technique has really come to the fore in the last few years. Because it uses foil instead of ink, it gives you sharp edges and a shiny metallic finish. Foil stamping works best for thick lines. Still, you can use it with different print styles for added detail. Although it’s a brilliant idea, this style isn’t a choice for anyone in a hurry or with a limited budget! It is an expensive method that requires a complex process you simply cannot rush.
