Making your own invitations gives you complete creative control over your event announcements and can be a fun way to get people excited about your party even before the due date. And don't forget, when you do it all yourself, you can save money too. Here's a quick guide on how to make your own invitations.
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Method 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Determine the color scheme
The colors you choose for your invitations are often determined by the event itself. For example, birthday party invitations can be made in the birthday person's favorite colors or can relate to the theme of the event (bright colors for a "Mexican Fiesta" theme, red and blue for a Spiderman theme, or black and white for a formal wedding theme.). If you're making invitations on behalf of someone else, make sure you talk to them about the colors they want.
The number of colors you use can have an effect on the final cost of creating your invitation. Buying paper in a variety of colors or designs or printing with color vs black ink can add to your costs, so keep that in mind
Step 2. Define your text
You need to include basic information on your invitations so that people come at the right time, day, and place. Make sure you have confirmed all your order arrangements regarding the time, date and place before you make your invitation.
- Think about any additional information you may need to include such as RSVP's contact or phone number, instructions on clothing or gifts, directions and/or maps, and web addresses (if you're making a web about the event).
- Some events, such as weddings, often consist of a series of events--a pre-wedding dinner, a post-wedding brunch, and the like. Make sure all information about additional events is defined and confirmed.
Step 3. Determine the size of the invitation
The two biggest considerations when it comes to size are determining the envelope size and knowing the shipping costs. Visit a stationery or art store to browse the available options and call or visit a delivery service website in your area.
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Envelope. The most common type of envelope is type A (also called A-line). It has a seam at the edges and is square in shape, sometimes with a wide envelope tongue. These envelopes are available in various sizes and the size of the letter listed is in accordance with the original dimensions. For example, the A1 envelope measures 130.2 x 92.1 mm while the larger A8 envelope measures 206.4 x 139.7 mm.
You can find out on the internet about envelope sizes. Make sure you specify the size of the invitation that will fit into the envelope you choose
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Shipping costs. Rules regarding shipping vary by country, so it's best to check with the shipping service you're going to use for shipping regulations set by the government. For example, the United States Postal Service (USPS) requires that letters be no more than 292 mm long x 155.6 mm high and mailings must not be more than 6.35 mm thick.
Envelopes that are square or other unusual shapes may require additional shipping costs because the envelope's size makes it difficult to process in a mail sorter machine. Before you start getting creative with your invitations, also know that envelopes whose addresses are written parallel to the shorter edges will cost more to ship
Method 2 of 3: Creating Layered Invitations
Step 1. Choose your background layer
The background layer will be the layer on which you will print your invitation text. Using multiple layers makes your invitations appear bolder, catches attention, and can emphasize the color scheme or theme of your event.
- Choose medium-to-heavy cardstock paper for the first layer of your invitation. This will give weight and firmness to your invitation. This type of paper is mostly available in solid colors.
- Choose one or more backing paper to attach to your background paper layer. Choose papers with different patterns, appropriate colors, or different textures to make them look more interesting.
- Layered invitations are not folded before they are placed in the envelope, so don't worry about folding the slightly thicker paper or having multiple layers of paper.
Step 2. Print your invitation text
To make the insert the right size, it's a good idea to print the invitation text first. Once you see how long and wide your text box needs to be, you can measure from that to determine the final paper size of your background layer.
Step 3. Cut your paper
How much of your background paper looks depends on what size you cut for each layer. You can define a standard size of your cut so that, for example, the 1.25 cm edge of each layer of paper is visible, or you can create different sizes of edges and make different sizes of edges of different types of paper visible around your invitation.
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Measure your paper carefully and cut the paper using a paper cutter or paper scissors. A paper cutter will ensure a straight, neat cut, but as long as you are patient and careful, you can do an equally good job with paper scissors.
You can buy scissors with decorative blades so that when you cut, your paper will have an attractive edge
Step 4. Glue the layers in place using glue
Use a glue stick to glue your layers together. Lay the very back layer of your invitation on the table and stick the next layer on top of it. Some people can fit paper just by “looking at it” and knowing where to apply glue to keep the edges of the paper straight. Others will need to measure and dot the dots with a pencil so they can line up the paper precisely for a neat edge.
- Press the paper firmly and allow the glue to dry before gluing the next layer in place to make sure layer number one doesn't move when you press the next layer to stick.
- The invitation text should be the last layer pasted into place.
- If any of your layers of paper are too brittle, use double-sided tape instead of glue to prevent the glue from seeping through.
Step 5. Add decorative elements
Once all your layers are in place and the glue is completely dry, you can add decorations if you like. If you're using more than three layers (remember, your invitation text counts as layers too) or a bold paper design, you may not want to add anything else. However, if you think an extra element can complement the invitation, go for it and add an extra embellishment element.
- Make two holes in the top of the invitation, thread a pretty ribbon through the holes, and make a pretty knot.
- Attach three buttons, stickers, or embossed shapes to one corner of your invitation.
- Use a sewing machine to make zigzag stitches around the seams for a unique look.
- Stamp a large, rubber-stamp image on the back of your invitation as a nice little surprise to whoever flips the invitation after reading it.
Method 3 of 3: Making a Folding Pocket Invitation
Step 1. Measure the pouch
Lay a sheet of paper (80 - 100 lb paper recommended) that will be your invitation pouch horizontally on the table. With a ruler, starting at the bottom left corner of the paper, draw a horizontal square measuring 3.8 cm high and 17.8 cm long.
Step 2. Cut the paper
Use scissors or an Xacto knife to cut out the horizontal square you just measured. Discard the piece of paper.
The longer paper “tongue” that remains on the right side of the paper will later be folded to become your invitation pocket
Step 3. Make folds
With the paper in front of you with the cut section at the bottom left corner of the paper, you will work from left to right to create your folds. Measure 5 cm from the left and make a vertical crease. Measure 12.7 cm from the crease (17.7 cm from the left edge of the paper) and make a second fold.
Use a paper crease press to close the crease on your paper
Step 4. Fold
Measure 3.8 cm from the bottom edge of the long "tongue" of the paper on the right side of the paper and fold it to make a pocket. Use glue to hold the bag in place.
Step 5. Create the invitation text
Use a computer and printer to print the text of your invitation. The final size of your piece of text should be: 12 cm wide x 16.2 cm high.
- If you find it easier, you can print a “corner guide” around your text box to make it easier for you to figure out the exact dimensions and help you cut the paper to size.
- Use a glue stick to attach the text to the center panel of your folded pouch.
Step 6. Create the insert
Print the text for the insert that will be in your invitation pocket and cut the insert to the required size. A simple guide is to make an insert that is just a little smaller than the pocket. In this case, make the insert slightly smaller than 10.2 cm wide and 16.5 cm high.
- Inserts may contain directions and/or maps; if this is a wedding invitation, this insert can also be used as a reception card, information about local accommodation, or an RSVP card and envelope.
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Adjust the insert height. You can create inserts of any height that seems pleasing to the eye or specify a standard insert height, perhaps making each insert 3.8 cm shorter than the insert behind it in the pouch.
Whichever you choose regarding the height of your inserts, make sure to have a title written on each insert that will appear immediately when the invitation is opened. Place each insert so that the edge of the insert behind it remains visible. That way, the overall appearance of the invitation doesn't look claustrophobic, and the reader can easily pull each insert out of the pocket to read the written information
Step 7. Compose your invitation
Put each insert in a pouch; the tallest are entered first in order to the shortest.
Step 8. Fold and tie
Fold closed the right side of your invitation pocket, and then fold the tongue on the left over it. Tie a pretty ribbon around the invitation to keep the invitation folded shut.
