DIY Invite Question

[largirl]

Okay, so now that I''ve designed the invite (color and font aren''t 100% final, still working with those), what do I do with it??? I want it on heavier cream paper...do I send it somewhere to be printed (if so, where)? Is there somewhere that will do engraving or letterpress for a custom invite like that? I''d rather not buy the paper and print it myself because I''m...um...lazy comes to mind.....

 

[gtn]

There are a number of places that will do it for you. I would recommend not doing it at kinkos, but a local printer. Where are you located?

 

[largirl]

I''m in Omaha...I tried to look in the phone book but am really not sure what I''m looking for. Just printers, or...?

 

[gtn]

Barnhart i located in Omaha. They do wedding invitations with engraving and letterpress. You could submit your design with your specifications and they also have books you could look for. I would look under "printing press" or "printers" in the phone book. Make sure you tell them what you are looking for and see what they could do for you.

I noticed that PandoraII had posted to your other DIY Invite question, so you could call them too. I have not worked with barnhart press, but they have been around forever

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Thanks for answering this question. Waiting for more answer with you..I asked it on my engagement invites thread but no one wanted to answer.

 

[largirl]

Crap, I didn''t realize I double posted this! The first one errored out so I didn''t think it had gone through. Sorry guys!!!

Does anyone have estimates - like a regularly printed invite is $3 but if you engrave it then it''s $6?

 

[cara]

I designed my own invitations and used Wildflower Letterpress to print them. People have also had success with Mercurio Bros for letterpressing your own design, but I found wildflower to be a little cheaper and faster, especially when I added extra inserts and colors.

Engraving is kind of the opposite of letterpress - instead of the ink being stamped into the paper, causing an indentation, the engraved ink is raised above the paper.

Both engraving and letterpress are quite expensive, as a unique plate must be made for each ink color of each piece. Thus there are economies of scale involved, as each plate might cost $100, which is quite a lot to print 30 invites (once you add on paper and other costs) but less per invite if you print 300.

If you just want a more standard printing process look for professional printing shops other than Kinkos in your area. Local knot boards might actually be useful for this.

 

[gtn]

Date: 3/6/2008 8:35:07 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Thanks for answering this question. Waiting for more answer with you..I asked it on my engagement invites thread but no one wanted to answer.

Sarah, I''m sorry I missed your post about your engagement invites

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Date: 3/7/2008 1:13:45 AM
Author: gtn

Date: 3/6/2008 8:35:07 PM

Author: SarahLovesJS

Thanks for answering this question. Waiting for more answer with you..I asked it on my engagement invites thread but no one wanted to answer.

Sarah, I''m sorry I missed your post about your engagement invites

Don''t apologize! Haha. I just need to figure out how to print the things, guess I should get off my butt and do an internet search! I''m sorry for being lazy.

 

[gtn]

Sarah, have you tried looking up printing presses in your area? I am lucky enough to live near SF and Berkeley so I have lots of options.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Ooh no. I will look. So do they just do it for you or how does that work?

 

[gtn]

Date: 3/7/2008 10:50:06 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Ooh no. I will look. So do they just do it for you or how does that work?

Some places have "design books" you could look through or you could design your own. Call/email the printer and ask them.

 

[Gypsy]

gtn... can you recommend someplace to print my envelopes for me, BTW? I don''t think I''m going to do hand calligraphy. Just too freaking pricey.