The Stationers Guild

Posts Tagged ‘letterpress invitations’

Timely suggestions for buying wedding invitations

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Couples browsing for wedding invitations are apt to assume that paper grade is considered the most critical cost consideration when looking to buy an online wedding invitation. While the level of quality of the paper is very important, other things to consider like the printing technique, quantity of ink colors and added elaborations frequently play a lot more significant role in determining the final cost of your customized wedding invitations.

Julie Holcomb Letterpress Wedding Invitation

Many quality printers make use of cotton fibers, high-grade wood fibers that’s been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or a blend of both cotton and wood-based fibers. While these papers are definitely of a higher quality than recycled papers that quite a few promote as “environment-friendly, these quality papers very often cost a little more but are quite well worth the small premium. In addition, these papers are more often than not more “environmentally-friendly” and substantive than almost all papers marketed on the internet that claim to be “green” or “tree-free.”

Vera Wang Wedding Invitatio

Variables that tend to raise the costs of imprinted wedding invitations are paper weight, colored papers and the quantity of ink colors used in printing the invitations.

The paper weight: Lots of wedding papers marketed on-line are printed by industrial printers. Generally speaking, paper with a weight previously mentioned 120 pounds can’t be sent by means of a commercial printer or ink-jet printer. Subsequently, a heavy wedding invitation can just be printed using engraving, letterpress or, in some circumstances, with thermographic inks. This traditional printing method is likely to raise overall prices, but will generate a significantly more spectacular invitation.

Paper Color: Just about all wedding invitations are imprinted on white or ecru colored papers making sure that ink colors resonate. However, there is a fashion towards bold-colored papers. In these instances, merely using a more pricey printing course of action like engraving seems to work to acquire the proper resolution connecting ink colors and darkly-colored papers.

Ink Colors: Though flat-printing, lithography and digital printing functions best with papers less than 120 pounds in weight, more conventional printing procedures are required for more substantial papers. In these instances, each color needs to be used in a separate press run, thereby increasing prices.

While browsing locally for wedding invitations, it is often best to seek the advice of an experienced stationer who can help you pick out the best wedding invitation designs and papers for your financial budget.

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Should gift registry information be shown on your wedding invitation?

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Wedding etiquette specialists of late have experienced renewed controversy on whether or not the gift registry information may be printed on a wedding invitation. The easy and proper response is: “Of course not!” One seasoned stationer who alleges to have worked with countless young couples to make custom wedding invitations asserts that “not one has chosen to add a bridal gift registry or website on their wedding invitation. It’s tacky, offensive and simply poor etiquette.”

Julie Holcomb Letterpress Directions Card

Proposing a gift item or financial contribution in your wedding invitation diminishes the importance of the celebration. Although many believe that it is “convenient” to provide bridal registry information on the wedding invitation, convenience is no substitute for proper etiquette and good taste. Why don’t you just pick-up the telephone, call the parents of the bride or the bridal pair and extend your best wishes then simply ask where they’re registered. It is simple, quite personal and it has worked effectively for many years.

In a great many instances, bridal couples will send a save the date announcement which might include things like travel and lodging suggestions. If you plan to create a wedding website, it is now thought to be suitable to add the website address within the save the date card or within the supportive wedding papers.

Many will argue that this protocol or etiquette is old-fashioned. Quite the opposite, good manners is never out of place. When we continue to stress “convenience” and “efficiency” in orchestrating our interpersonal relationships, we strip the enjoyment and majesty from these milestone occasions within our lives.

To put it briefly, including gift registry details in your wedding invitation isn’t recommended and, indeed, numerous guests are likely to consider doing it vulgar and inappropriate. There are plenty of ways to bypass that problem with good planning.

Sheila May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair and writes frequently about wedding invitations in the New York Metro area and Save the Date Cards.

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The Sophistication of Letterpress Wedding Invitations

Monday, December 19th, 2011

The emergence of letterpress wedding stationery, letterpress save-the-date cards, birth announcements and letterpress stationery over the last ten years is not surprising. Affordable second-hand letterpress printers have helped a lot of gifted artisans and designers to apply their creativeness to produce beautiful wedding invitations and stationery using this very old printing process.

Oblation Letterpress Wedding Invitation

Similar to the printing process used for engraving, letterpress makes use of polymer or metal dies to “press” ink into soft papers, principally cotton. Each and every ink color is applied with a individual press run, which calls for persistence and much skill to have the close registration needed to accurately align colors and design images.

Oblation Letterpress Save the Date

Each May for the National Stationery Show in New York City, new letterpress vendors take center stage to market their latest styles. While letterpress was considered to be somewhat of a novelty some a few years back, the vast majority of recent letterpress printers and designers simply do not have the good taste, uniqueness and, in many cases, the talent and expertise to create pleasing letterpress invitations. The truth is, most of the “new” designs offer little that’s completely new. To be honest, the stationery marketplace is over loaded with letterpress.

Letterpress printers with deep traditions in the profession, including Julie Holcomb, Elum, Oblation, Press New York, Page and Real Card Studio are able to innovate and their firm hand and passion for the craft continues to raise the bar for letterpress printing.

While a few letterpress printers have migrated online, the majority of letterpress artisans market their product through knowledgeable retailers across the United States. Quoting pioneer Julie Holcomb, “If you are like most people, you have never ordered any kind of custom printing prior to ordering your wedding invitations. You can benefit a great deal from the experience of your local stationer, who orders all kinds of custom printing, from many vendors, all the time. They’ll help you make sure you’re covering all the bases and making decisions you’ll be happy with for a long time.”

Julie’s advice is truly worth following. If you’ve got your heart set on letterpress for your wedding invitations, it is wise to consult a highly skilled stationer in your area.

Sheila P. May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair, a stationery store located in Greenwich, CT. A native of Texas, she writes frequently Philadelphia Wedding Invitations>.

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Letterpress or Engraved Wedding Stationery Reflect Local Distinctions

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Those seeking to design a singular wedding invitation to commemorate that wondrous event quite often view countless wedding invitation samples and printing options before deciding on their unique invite.

William Arthur Wedding Invitations

Previously there seemed to be a definite regional bias in the selection of printing. Wedding couples from the West Coast tended to favor letterpress printing and those from the East Coast generally prefered engraving.

Although this regional bias still continues, both printing styles continue to appeal to discriminating wedding couples who take pleasure in the refined colors and modern types of letterpress printing and also the unforgettable opaque colors of engraved wedding invitations.

The increase in letterpress wedding invitations has been powered from the appearance of accomplished artists that can acquire inexpensive presses to produce his or her wedding invitations and fine stationery. A serviceable press may be bought for anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000 and a gifted artist using Photoshop can create spectacular designs then transfer those designs to polymer dies that are used in the printing presses.

Engraving is a similar printing method, but metal dies are produced by submerging light-sensitive coated copper die plates into an acid bath to create the dies. Both engraving and letterpress are usually more costly since each wedding invitation is hand-fed through the printing press. Given that each and every ink color is applied through a separate press run, the quantity of colors in the invitation elevates labor costs and, therefore, the total cost of your invitation.

Even though letterpress and engraved wedding invitations are usually the most memorable, those on a budget frequently seek more cost-effective solutions that mimic the creativeness present in letterpress and engraved invitations. The utilization of thermographic inks is an affordable alternative to engraving and also some flat-printed designs are appealing and capture the significance of the event.

Working with a highly skilled stationer in your area is perhaps the easiest way to craft a wedding invitation that meets your objectives and is also affordable. There are only a handful of online wedding invitation printers that have the design and printing capabilities and, above all, the service quality to make wedding invitations that will make you pleased.

Sheila May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair and writes frequently about wedding invitations and save the date invitations.

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Should the gift registry information be shown on the wedding invitation?

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

Stationers recently have noticed renewed discussion on whether the gift registry information may be printed on a wedding invitation. The easy and proper answer is: “Of course not!” One knowledgeable stationer who alleges to have worked with innumerable bridal couples to design unique wedding invitations affirms that “no one has opted to include gift registry information or website to their wedding invitation. It really is cheap, offensive and simply poor etiquette.”

William Arthur Save the Date Card

Suggesting a gift or monetary contribution on the wedding invitation diminishes the value of the celebration. Though many insist that it’s “convenient” to provide bridal registry information within the wedding invitation, convenience is no substitute for proper etiquette and good taste. Why don’t you just pick-up the telephone, call the parents of the bride or even the bridal couple and extend your best wishes then ask where they’re registered. It’s easy, personal and has worked proficiently for many years.

In a great many instances, bridal couples will send a save the date announcement that may contain travel and hotel suggestions. If you plan to build a wedding website, it’s considered acceptable to add the website address within the save the date card or within the supporting wedding papers.

Many will argue that this protocol or etiquette is dated. Quite the contrary, good etiquette is never out of place. If we carry on and stress “convenience” and “efficiency” in dealing with our personal relationships, we take away the enjoyment and majesty from these milestone occasions within our lives.

To put it briefly, including gift registry details in your wedding invitation is not advised and, certainly, many guests are likely to consider the idea vulgar and inappropriate. There are lots of of ways to bypass that small problem with good planning.

Sheila May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair and writes frequently about wedding invitations in the New York Metro area and Save the Date Cards.

Leave your comment (2 Comments so far) »

Letterpress or Engraved Invitations Continue to Reflect Local Distinctions

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

Those determined to design a singular wedding invitation to celebrate that happy celebration typically see hundreds of wedding invitation samples and printing options before selecting their special invitation.

Vera Wang Wedding Invitatio

In the past there was a definite regional disposition in the choice of printing. Bridal couples from the West Coast seemed to opt for letterpress and people from the East Coast generally prefered engraving.

Even though this regional disposition still persists, the two printing styles continue to attract discerning wedding couples who take pleasure in the subtle hues and imaginative designs of letterpress printing and also the classic opaque colors of engraved wedding invitations.

The growth in letterpress wedding invitations has been powered from the appearance of talented artists that can purchase affordable presses to make their very own wedding invitations and fine stationery. A functional press can be purchased for anywhere between $3,000 and $5,000 and a skilled artist using Photoshop can produce stunning designs and then transfer those designs to polymer dies which are utilized in the printing presses.

Engraving is actually a comparable printing process, but metal dies are produced by emerging light-sensitive coated copper die plates into an acid bath to create the dies. Both engraving and letterpress are definitely more costly since each wedding invitation is hand-fed through the printer. Since each and every ink color is applied separately, the number of colors in the wedding invitation increases labor costs and, therefore, the overall cost of the invitation.

Although letterpress and engraved wedding invitations are certainly more remarkable, those on a budget frequently seek less expensive alternatives that imitate the creativity seen in letterpress and engraved invitations. The utilization of thermographic inks is definitely a cost-effective substitute to engraving and also a few flat-printed designs are attractive and capture the significance of the occasion.

Dealing with a seasoned stationer in your neighborhood is unquestionably the easiest way to craft a wedding invitation that meets your objectives and is also within your budget. There are a limited online wedding invitation printers that have the design and style and printing capabilities and, most importantly, the service quality to create wedding invitations that would make you pleased.

Sheila May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair and writes frequently about wedding invitations and save the date invitations.

Leave your comment (2 Comments so far) »

Letterpress or Engraved Invitations Continue to Reflect Regional Variations

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Those seeking to craft a singular wedding invitation to celebrate that wondrous celebration typically look at hundreds of wedding invitation samples and printing alternatives before deciding on their special wedding invitation.

Crane Wedding Invitation

Previously there was clearly a definite local tendency in the choice of printing. Bridal couples on the West Coast seemed to opt for letterpress printing and the ones from the East Coast normally opted for engraving.

While this regional disposition still persists, both printing methods continue to appeal to discriminating bridal couples who appreciate the refined colors and new designs of letterpress printing and the timeless opaque colors of engraved wedding invitations.

The increase in letterpress wedding invitations continues to be powered by the appearance of accomplished artists who are able to acquire cost-effective presses to create their very own invitations and letterpress stationery. A functional press can be acquired for somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000 and a gifted artist using Photoshop can create gorgeous designs and then transfer those designs to polymer dies which are used in the printing presses.

Engraving is actually a similar printing process, but metal dies are created by submerging light-sensitive coated copper plates into an acid bath to make the dies. Both engraving and letterpress tend to be more expensive given that each invitation is hand-fed through the printing press. As every ink color is applied through a separate press run, the number of colors in the wedding invitation boosts labor costs and, as such, the overall cost of the invitation.

Though letterpress and engraved invitations are usually the most remarkable, those on a budget typically seek more cost-effective solutions that imitate the creativeness seen in letterpress and engraved invitations. The use of thermographic inks is definitely a affordable alternative to engraving and even some flat-printed designs are attractive and capture the significance of the event.

Working together with a highly skilled stationer in your neighborhood is unquestionably the easiest way to craft a wedding invitation that meets your goals and is affordable. There are a limited online wedding invitation printers with the design and style and printing capabilities and, most significantly, the service quality to make wedding invitations that will cause you to be proud.

Sheila May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair and writes frequently about wedding invitations and save the date invitations.

Leave your comment (5 Comments so far) »

The Subtlety of Letterpress Invitations

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

The emergence of letterpress wedding invitations, letterpress save-the-date announcements, birth announcements and letterpress stationery during the last decade is not surprising. Easily affordable second-hand letterpress printers have helped a lot of talented artisans and designers to apply their imagination to produce beautiful announcements and stationery by using this centuries-old printing technique.

Oblation Letterpress Wedding Invitation

Similar to the process used for engraving, letterpress makes use of polymer or metal dies to “press” ink into pliable cardstock, generally cotton. Each color is applied with a separate printing press run, which demands patience and much skill to achieve the close registration essential to properly align colors and design images.

Oblation Letterpress Save the Date

Every May for the National Stationery Show in New York City, new letterpress vendors take center stage to introduce their new styles. Though letterpress was looked upon as somewhat of a novelty some five to ten years in the past, the vast majority of recent letterpress printers simply don’t have the good taste, originality and, many times, the talent and experience to make good letterpress invitations. The truth is, many of the “new” designs offer little that is new. Quite frankly, the stationery market is saturated with letterpress.

Letterpress printers with deep traditions within craft, like Julie Holcomb, Elum, Oblation, Press New York, Page and Real Card Studio still build on their craft and their firm hand and love for the craft continues to elevate the bar for letterpress printing.

While a few letterpress printers now sell on the internet, nearly all letterpress artisans sell their product by using knowledgeable retailers across the United States. In the words of pioneer Julie Holcomb, “If you are like most people, you have never ordered any kind of custom printing prior to ordering your wedding invitations. You can benefit a great deal from the experience of your local stationer, who orders all kinds of custom printing, from many vendors, all the time. They’ll help you make sure you’re covering all the bases and making decisions you’ll be happy with for a long time.”

Julie’s advice is well worth following. If you’ve got your heart set on letterpress for the wedding invitations, it is wise to see a highly skilled stationer in your area.

Sheila P. May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair, a stationery store located in Greenwich, CT.  She writes frequently Wedding Invitations and Wedding Etiquette.

Leave your comment »

Letterpress or Engraved Wedding Stationery Reflect Local Differences

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

Those determined to create a singular wedding invitation to celebrate that happy event typically view a huge selection of wedding invitation examples and printing alternatives before deciding on their special invitation.

Oblation Letterpress Wedding Invitation>

Several years ago there was a definite regional disposition in the selection of printing. Wedding couples from the West Coast tended to favor letterpress and the ones on the East Coast typically opted for engraving.

Even though this regional disposition still persists, both printing methods continue to attract discriminating wedding couples who appreciate the delicate colors and imaginative designs of letterpress printing and the timeless opaque colors of engraved invitations.

The growth in letterpress wedding stationery has been powered from the appearance of accomplished artists who can acquire cost-effective presses to make their very own wedding invitations and letterpress stationery. A serviceable press can be purchased for around $3,000 and $5,000 and a gifted artist utilizing Photoshop can create spectacular designs then transfer those designs to polymer dies that are used in the presses.

Engraving is a comparable printing method, but metal dies are produced by submerging light-sensitive coated copper plates into an acid bath to make the dies. Both engraving and letterpress are certainly more expensive given that each invitation is hand-fed through the printer. Since every ink color is applied individually, the number of colors in the wedding invitation will increase labor costs and, as such, the total cost of your invitation.

While letterpress and engraved wedding invitations are certainly the most remarkable, those on a financial budget frequently seek less expensive options that mimic the creativeness present in letterpress and engraved invites. The use of thermographic inks is an cost-effective substitute to engraving and also some flat-printed designs are appealing and capture the significance of the special occasion.

Working with a skilled stationer in your area is unquestionably the easiest way to craft a wedding invitation that meets your expectations and is within your budget. There are only a handful of internet wedding invitation printers who have the design and printing capabilities and, above all, the service quality to produce wedding invitations that would cause you to be pleased.

Sheila May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair and writes frequently about wedding invitations and save the date invitations.

Leave your comment »

The Subtlety of Letterpress Invitations

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

The increased popularity of letterpress invitations, letterpress save the date cards, baby announcements and letterpress stationery within the last ten years isn’t surprising. Affordable second-hand letterpress printing presses have allowed a lot of gifted artisans and designers to indulge their creativity to create gorgeous wedding invitations and stationery by using this very old printing process.

Oblation Letterpress Wedding Invitation

Much like the process utilized in engraving, letterpress employs polymer or metal dies to “press” ink into pliable cardstock, primarily cotton. Each and every ink color is applied using a separate press run, which calls for persistence and great skill to have the close registration needed to properly align colors and design images.

Oblation Letterpress Save the Date

Every May at the National Stationery Show in New York City, new letterpress vendors take center stage to display their latest designs. Though letterpress was regarded as somewhat of a novelty some a few years ago, the vast majority of recent letterpress printers and designers simply do not have the good taste, originality and, in many cases, the ability and expertise to make eye-catching letterpress wedding invitations. In fact, most of the “new” designs offer little that’s unique. Truth be told, the stationery market is saturated with letterpress.

Letterpress printers with deep traditions in the profession, like Julie Holcomb, Elum, Oblation, Press New York, Page and Real Card Studio still build on their craft and their sturdy hand and passion for the craft continues to raise the bar for letterpress printing.

While a few letterpress printers now sell online, most letterpress artisans sell their invitations by way of knowledgeable retailers throughout the United States. Quoting pioneer Julie Holcomb, “If you are like most people, you have never ordered any kind of custom printing prior to ordering your wedding invitations. You can benefit a great deal from the experience of your local stationer, who orders all kinds of custom printing, from many vendors, all the time. They’ll help you make sure you’re covering all the bases and making decisions you’ll be happy with for a long time.”

Julie’s advice is truly worth following. If you have your heart set on letterpress for your wedding invitations, it is advisable to talk to an experienced stationer in your neighborhood.

Sheila P. May is the owner of Therese Saint Clair, a stationery store located in Greenwich, CT.   She writes frequently NYC Wedding Invitations.

Leave your comment »