We know. You know. Letterpress ain't cheap. But there are ways to make it more affordable. We're all about showing you how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to your dream invitation suite. That's why we created this quick guide for you! (and because we get this question a lot from our brides!)
Here are 6 tips to help get cost down, without skimping on what's really important to you.
1. Skip the extras
You know how sometimes you get a wedding invitation and there are 14 pieces that fall out? Cards, bands, additional envelopes... a lot of that stuff is totally unnecessary. Sure, they're fun to look at before they get tossed in the trash, but your guests really only save the invitations. Sticking to the essentials keeps your suite pieces to a minimum and allows your few pieces be more impactful.
Our Essentials Are:
- Save-the-date
THE INVITATION SUITE - Invitation
- Reply Card
- Reception Card
- Thank you note
- Envelopes (save the date, invitation, reply card, thank you note)
- Return Address
But you can really get by with:
- Save-the-dates and Envelopes
- Invitations and Envelopes
- Reply Cards
- Thank Yous and Envelopes
2. Keep it to one color
Remember, even if we just print one color, your invitation has 2 colors - the paper color and the ink color! Adding more than one print color can be nice, but it isn't necessary, and it is one of biggest ways to reduce cost.
Each color adds a new plate and adds another run through the press. Going from one color to two doubles printing production time, so you can see how the cost can add up quickly.
If you are sold on a two-color design but want to cut cost, keep the two colors on the invitation, but simplify to one color on the other pieces. Or try using different colored papers.
Your guest will never remember your reply card was one color but your invite was two!
3. Use a rubber stamp
If your up for a little DIY, a rubber stamp is a great way to save.
Getting a custom rubber stamp made is a great way to add your return address to all of those envelopes (because trust us - there are a lot of them).
save-the-dates | invitations | reply cards | thank you notes x your number of guest
4. Choose the right stock
Stock is just our word for paper..
So don't let that intimidate you. So many brides worry about picking their paper, but we make that process as easy as possible.
We only use premium stocks, so even our thinnest stock (1 ply) has more texture and is thicker than your average stock.
We offer 1 ply and 2 ply stocks for our wedding suites. Choosing 1 ply stock for your wedding suite will stretch your dollar the most.
If you're really loving the thicker feel use it for your invitation, and then keep your details and reply cards on the thinner paper.
5. Save on postage
#POSTCARDS
We are totally crushing over some beautiful postcards lately, and we think it is such a fun way to send out your reply card. Bonus it saves you money in envelopes and postage! Which makes it much more environmentally friendly.
The reply card is a great place to save some money - they're only in your guest's hands for a short period of time before they mail them back to you.
TIP: We don't recommend save-the-date postcards however because they get damaged in the mail, and won't look as nice on arrival to your guest!!
6. Include your website
Whoever says putting your URL on your invitation is taboo is living in another century. Everyone uses wedding websites for all the info from booking rooms to buying gifts. Including your wedding website URL somewhere in your invitation suite can be a great way to streamline the info you need to print. Which may may mean you can print less cards, or smaller cards, saving you money.
We hope you learned a few ways to make your letterpress printed wedding suite more affordable. If you found this blog helpful let us know what tips you liked most in the comments below.
