You're planning a birthday party and want to send out unforgettable invitations. You've searched everywhere, but nothing fits your heart. Some are too expensive, tacky designs, or just not right. Eventually, you'll want to try making your own invitations - even if you're afraid you're running out of time and talent. Don't worry, making beautiful birthday party invitations is as easy as opening gifts. Just follow these steps.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Creating Invitations from a Computer
Step 1. Search the internet for samples of your dream invitation
There are examples that are complete with designs, some are not. Before you start looking, here are a few things you need to know:
- Some websites only give you access to their free samples if you buy a blank card from them.
- Other sites have free sample designs and words.
- If you can't find what you're looking for, don't despair--get creative!
Step 2. Find the perfect piece of art
You can use event-appropriate images from the online world, or use your own photos. Here are some tips for getting the perfect shot:
- If you are an artist, make your own drawings.
- If you know a talented artist, ask him or her to help you with creating the perfect image.
- Look through your old photos. If you're helping Grandpa celebrate his 80th birthday, a photo of a baby would be the perfect addition to your invitation.
- If the photo you want isn't on the internet, scan it to load it onto your computer.
Step 3. Choose the right words
The sentence written on the invitation represents the entire card. Inspiration can be found through examples on the website. Develop your own ideas. Pay attention to the following aspects:
- Make sure the words match the picture. These words can refer to the picture in a certain way, or according to the nuance of the picture. If the image is silly, a serious tone of word will not work.
- Set the tone of the invitation. If you want a serious and meaningful invitation, don't use jokes in your writing.
- Be specific. Write a few jokes about the birthday party. If it's your own birthday, write something about yourself.
- Have fun! It's your own invitation, so if you want to make silly rhymes, use contrasting colors, or make your guests laugh, go for it!
Step 4. Tell your guests about the party
This invitation is the start of your birthday party. The information that needs to be included in the invitation is:
- When and where the event will be held.
- Maintenance time. If it's a surprise party, let guests know that they have to be there at some point in time. Hint: tell guests they have to be there at some point in time, but plan for the surprise half an hour after that. This is because it's impossible to get everyone to show up on time, and you don't want late guests to spoil your surprise.
- What to bring besides gifts. For example, if you're having a pool party, ask your guests to bring their bathing suits.
- Ask recipients to let you know whether or not they will attend (RSVP) before the specified date.
Step 5. Before printing all invitations, print a sample first
By doing this, you can check if the invitation is as expected and correct any errors if any. Take note of these things:
- Typo / typo. While you can check for spelling errors on your computer, read your invitation aloud to make sure it's typo-free.
- Consistency of writing paragraphs: aligned right, left or center.
- Make sure the invitation design looks beautiful on the eyes. Colors that appear on the computer screen may differ from the printed results. Use pictures and writing proportionally, don't be too full and look tacky.
- Make sure the invitation is easy to read and understand. Choose a font that is easy to read. The description of the birthday party must also be clear.
- Make sure the invitation is easy to fold. Make sure the front and inside pages are not mixed up when folded.
Step 6. Use the right paper
Before you print all the invitations, prepare a special blank paper for the invitations. Choose paper that is thick enough, won't tear easily and will fit into your printer.
When you buy blank paper, buy a few extra sheets in case the paper gets stuck in the printer, misprints, or other unforeseen problems
Step 7. Add extra embellishments to beautify your card (optional)
Once you've printed the invitations, you can add a little personal touch to embellish them. It's not mandatory--if your invitation already looks good, or if you don't have the time, you can skip this step. If you're interested, here are some ways to add embellishments to your invitation cards:
- Add glitter after the ink on the invitation card has dried. Use enough.
- Add cute stickers or stamps.
- Have fun! If it feels appropriate, you can leave a kiss mark on the card or envelope.
Step 8. Send invitations or have them delivered in advance
To ensure guests come to your party, send out invites at least a month in advance. Here are some tips:
- Make sure your guests' addresses are correct. If you don't hear back from them, it may be because you entered the wrong address.
- Start talking about your party before you send out the invites. This will make the guests more excited to celebrate the event.
Method 2 of 2: Making Your Own Invitations
Step 1. Gather materials and equipment to be used
Purchase supplies for making invitation cards at a stationery or bookstore. Items that need to be purchased include:
- Sufficiently thick paper, at least four colors. One of them must be a bright color to write on. These bright colors include yellow, light blue, or even white.
- Scissors.
- Glue.
- Stencils, stamps, stickers.
- glitter.
- Colored markers that are opaque or odorless.
- Big envelopes.
Step 2. Ask a friend for help if needed
Even if you only make a few invitations, it will take a lot of time and hard work. This process will be easier and more enjoyable if you ask a trusted group of friends to help you. This will also help create an atmosphere of anticipation for your party.
Make the activity of making invitations a mini party. Serve them dinner, or make invitation cards while listening to music or watching a silly movie together. You can even plan sleepovers for this purpose
Step 3. Take a thick sheet of paper and fold it vertically, like when you close a book
This is the paper you will be writing on, so use a bright color.
Since these invitations are handcrafted, you can choose a different color each time
Step 4. Write the relevant information on the invitation
Choose a marker color that contrasts with the color of the paper. There are a few things you need to write on your invitation:
- Front: notify the recipient that you are having a birthday party. The style of language is up to you, it can be formal or casual. Also tell who's birthday.
- Inside: write down other information, such as the time and place of the event, what they need to bring, or whether they need to RSVP for this invite.
- Since you're writing them directly by hand, you can have fun and customize each invitation for the guests who will receive it. You don't have to do this for every guest, as it may take up too much time.
- If your friends help out, make sure their handwriting is neat!
Step 5. Add extra things to make your invitation more "fun"
Your invitations will already look great, but with some extra effort, they will shine. Here are some ways you can do it:
- Cut designs of simple shapes, such as stars, hearts, or flowers, from the scraps of paper you used, and glue them onto your invitations with glue. Dry.
- Attach some stickers or stamps to the invitation to give it a personal touch, or fill in a stencil you've prepared.
- Add glitter. But be careful, glitter can mess up your invitations, and don't let your guests get upset that their hands are covered in glitter when they open your invitation.
- Since you made these invitations yourself, you can decorate each card in a different way.
Step 6. Put the card in an envelope and send it to your guests
The envelopes you use must be large enough for the card to be inserted.
Tips
- Prepare extra ink cartridges. Don't run out of ink when printing invitations.
- Once you become an invitation-making expert, have fun. Get some friends together and teach them how to make their own cheap birthday party invitations.
