The Stationers Guild

Internet based research is usually a handy and fast strategy for finding advice. However, the level of available information and facts are so sizable it is difficult to determine what information is beneficial. For instance you will find well over 25 million search records of the keyword phrase “wedding invitations” on Google. Precisely how many of these search records are appropriate? Can you truly determine if the content you get is informative or simply a sales hype?

Found below are a few uncomplicated tactics that you might wish to consider before buying your wedding invitations on the internet.

Online Wedding Invitations Suggestions to Save You Money and employ Your Time And Efforts Wisely

1. Narrow Your Online Search with Qualifiers: Instead of making use of a vast search term like “wedding invitations” have a shot at something which cuts down on the scope of the search. As an illustration, “engraved wedding invitations,” or “custom invitations” will drastically reduce the number of Google search results and possibly guide you toward better sources of choosing the wedding invitation of your hopes and dreams.
2. Use a Local Search Qualifier: There is a general idea that searching online will provide superior information and facts that may help you design your wedding invitation. This just isn’t the situation: search outcomes for an item as custom made as wedding invitations are manipulated in the direction of those internet promotion firms that do a more effective job optimizing their site for web search. The previous CEO of Google refers to the internet for being a “cesspool of information.” One technique for avoiding this unreliable information and facts are to introduce a local qualifier. As an example, if you live in the New York City area, enter in the search keyword phrase “New York wedding invitations” in the Internet search bar and you should find local stationery retail stores in your area specializing in letterpress stationery and personalized invitations.
3. Check for save the date invitations that are also sold through independently owned retailers: One strategy for soon determining whether you’re dealing with a respectable firm on the web is whether they also sell by way of recognized independent store dealers. Printing firms that distribute their products through independent dealers are more likely to have an established track record in the industry and offer their customers the opportunity to shop in your area or online. This is an unmistakable sign that you’re not dealing with a fly-by-night printer.

Whether you plan to shop locally or buy online, be sure you look at your choices very carefully. If you are looking for a totally unique wedding invitation, it’s best to buy with an expert stationer in your town.

Sheila May is a founding member of the Stationer Guild and writes routinely about wedding invitations and online wedding invitations.

Internet research is usually a easy and fast approach to finding advice. Yet, the amount of available information and facts are so extensive it is not easy to evaluate what information and facts are important. For example you can find more than 20 million search results of the keyword phrase “wedding invitations” on the web. Exactly how many of these search results are useful? Can you truly determine if the content you’re getting is informative or simply a sales pitch?

Found below are a few very simple tactics that you may possibly wish to consider before purchasing your wedding invitations online.

Online Wedding Invitations Primer to help save You Money and use Your Time Wisely

1. Reduce Your Online Search with Qualifiers: Instead of using a vast key word phrase like “wedding invitations” attempt something that lowers the breadth of your search. As an example, “engraved wedding invitations,” or “custom invitations” will substantially limit the number of Google search results and possibly lead you toward better options for finding the wedding invitation of your dreams.
2. Use your local Search Qualifier: There really is a widespread perception that searching online will give you more desirable tips to assist you craft your wedding invitation. This just isn’t the way it is: search outcomes for something as custom made as wedding invitations are often skewed in the direction of those internet promotion companies that have done a far better job optimizing their internet site for search. The past CEO of Google refers to the internet to be the “cesspool of information.” One technique for countering this deceptive information is to introduce a zip code qualifier. For example, if you are living in the New York City area, enter the search keyword phrase “New York wedding invitations” in the Google search bar and you should find nearby stationery dealers in your area that specialize in letterpress stationery and customized invitations.
3. Check for save the date invitations which are also made available through independently owned retailers: One method of soon establishing whether you are dealing with a dependable firm online is if they also sell through recognized local store merchants. Printing firms that distribute their products through independent dealers tend to have an established reputation in the industry and provide their customers the opportunity to shop in your neighborhood or online. This is a clear sign that you’re not working with a johnny-come-lately printer.

Whether or not you want to shop locally or order online, make sure that you think about your choices carefully. If you want a totally special wedding invitation, it’s best to buy with an experienced stationer where you live.

Sheila May is a founding member of the Stationer Guild and writes often about save the date card trends and online wedding invitations.

Most bridal couples just simply don’t have either time or the experience to sort through the countless personalization alternatives available for wedding invitations. Regardless of whether you plan to create and print your own invitation, buy wedding invitations over the internet or make use of the guidance of an informed stationer in your neighborhood, these helpful tips and hints may be of benefit is selecting a great invitation

Five Wedding Invitation Suggestions

1. Selecting the right paper that looks and feels “right”for you is the most important consideration. The substance and quality of the invitation speaks to the the importance of the event. Good quality wedding paper is, in my estimation, a necessity for a well-made wedding invitation.
2. If you have decided to design and print your own wedding invitation, make certain that you’ve matching envelopes for the paper size and style that you have selected. Also, if you’re going to print your own invitations, #96 paper is about the thickest that will fit through an inkjet printer without jamming.
3. We recommend using white or ecru paper rather than brightly colored papers and merely print in strong ink colors or use patterned envelope liners to fit your wedding color concept.  Dark colored papers are difficult to print on and retain color consistency.
4. Purchase enough wedding invitations.We recommend buying at least 25 more invitations than you need in case someone was unintentionally left off your list or you’ve got last minute guests. A second printing of your invitation is very costly.
5. It’s to weigh you wedding invitation and enclosures at the Post Office. There is  nothing more agonizing than having your invitation returned because you didn’t have sufficient postage.

For more practical information, please download our FREE Wedding Invitation Guide by becoming a Fan of Therese Saint Clair.

Sheila P. May
Therese Saint Clair

As Sheila and I walked the nearly deserted aisles of the 2009 National Stationery Show on closing day (May 20), we reflected on the significant changes that have swept over our industry during the last 7 years.  While overall traffic was clearly down, there was still plenty of good vibes, great design artistry and paper craftsmanship and, most importantly, shared chuckles with our fellow stationers, sales reps and the many fine paper companies whose lines we are privileged to represent. 

Emi Havas of Paperfolio in Summit, NJ suggested that the hardened stationery warriors were there to show solidarity with each other.   We certainly agree with Emi that there was a spirit of fierce determination among fellow stationers.   Nevertheless, the difficult economic situation, changing consumer behavior patterns and the overriding influence of the internet clearly threaten the industry as we know it.    We certainly don’t have all the answers, but established storefront stationers will soon be forced to make some critical business decisions. 

First and foremost, stationers must decide whether they wish to continue to represent “premium” lines that market aggressively through alternative distribution channels:  a corporate e-commerce website, home dealers, chain stores, non-stationery businesses, charitable and religious organizations.  Clearly, it is asking too much of indendent dealers to invest their time and money to represent lines that are mass-merchandized through alternative distribution channels.  This is not a business model that is sustainable over time and will inevitably cause experienced dealers to close or hibernate as home dealers.  

Just today, the parents we helped to select a birth announcement informed us that they had decided to purchase the identical invitation online.   Unfortunately, this trend is increasing as consumers are aware that a “validating touch” is clearly more important than a low-resolution internet image.  This is a “free” service that disgruntles most stationers and one which independent dealers can’t continue to perform if we expect to stay in business.   In effect, by freely giving our experience to merchandise for a third-party we are simply contributing to our demise.

Secondly, fine paper companies must clearly articulate a business strategy that makes sense to management and the distribution channels that carry their products.   The myth that the market is segmented into “internet buyers” and ”store consumers” is simply an urban legend.  Paper companies who promote this silly justification are simply deceiving themselves and expose themselves to the ridicule of their dealers.  If fine paper companies who sell online want to retain their dealers, they must make it financially advantageous for them to do so.  They can do so by providing their dealers a better margin, extended terms or totally unique products which are not sold on the internet.   It’s not reasonable to expect dealers to satisfy boxed product quotas when online buyers can simply buy personalized stationery and custom invitations online at the same price or even less as they can from cash-strained dealers.   While fine paper companies will do what they think makes sense to meet their financial objectives, the implications of these decisions are far-reaching and probably intractable.  Economics 101 suggests that a massive supply of undifferentiated products (i.e. 72 pixel images) will overtime result in lower prices.  In other words, only low cost producers can expect to survive.  If you want to mass-merchandize a premium brand, prepare your shareholders for lower and, most probably, unacceptable margins. 

And finally, we must all start doing a better job reacting to the false marketing claims, insipid sales arguments and, most importantly, the ludicrous marketing representations of online marketing companies, wedding portals, paid Tweeters and other BlackHat SEO strategies that will eventually bring the industry to its knees.  Make no mistake, these online companies are built on generating advertising revenue and commissions for promoting products that they don’t even manufacture.  They could care less about the industry we represent or the craftsmanship that goes into making fine paper.   While I have no problem with someone making a buck off someone else’s labor, these self-appointed online ”experts” are driving consumer behavior in ways that will eventually destroy the industry by turning fine paper into recycled waste paper.  As industry leaders, we have a responsibility to demonstrate to the public that the craftsmanship that goes into making fine paper, civility and proper etiquette still matters. 

For those who managed to sit through this “heavy” diatribe,  Sheila has asked me to give you some links to several of our favorite restaurants in NYC.  With the exception of Porchetta and Momofuku, all of these restaurants require reservations.  Nevertheless, the Mario Batali restaurants seem to like old people and we generally get seated within an hour without the mandatory reservation. 

Momofuku Ssam Bar:  Inspired food creations from David Chang
The Spotted Pig in the West Village
Porchetta:  The best porchetta that we have eaten outside of Italy (Umbria style)
Babbo:  Mario Batali’s flagship.  Always good and packed.
Lupa:  Another Batali restaurant.  Very good.
Esca:  Another Batali.  Our daughter’s favorite fish restaurant (Italian style)
Balthazar:  A favorite for breakfast or brunch.

Sheila and Rick May
Therese Saint Clair