Want to make your wedding invitations stand out? One way to do this is by choosing the right wedding invitation printing method.
We’ve compiled a few of the most common printing techniques used for wedding invitations. Most of these we offer at the shop for creating fun and unique invitations, so feel free to browse through our store for more examples and ideas.
UV PRINTING
UV printing allows your wording and design to stand out even more. Basically, it’s a form of digital printing but using ultra-violet light to cure the ink as it’s printed. The result? You get a glossy, slightly raised wording or design like you would in thermography but with a whole host of colors available. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who wants abundant color options and a raised texture on their wedding invite.
How is it Made?
UV-printed wedding invitations are made using a UV LED printer. The first pass includes placing the ink on the material, then a second pass is done followed by special UV-lights immediately after the second printing. This cures the print, giving it that glossy, raised effect.
Pros and Cons:
Pro:
- It’s affordable!
- Gives you a high-end, elegant look
- All colors easily blend together
- Lets you achieve beautiful texture
Con:
- Print can look too glossy or plastic
- Cannot print complicated patterns or designs
DIGITAL / FLAT PRINTING
Like its name suggests, digital printing or “flat” printing creates a flat print on your invitation. Digital printing also covers offset printing. Although similar in method, the latter is often used for large print runs. A digitally printed wedding invitation is perfect if your invitation requires plenty of colors or come with complicated designs. Even though it can’t produce “3D” style effects, it can mimic effects like ink, watercolor and various calligraphy styles.
How is it Made?
Digital prints can be done at home using a regular laser printer, but these will often smudge or blur. For a high-quality print, it’s best to leave it to quality wedding invitation suppliers. These businesses often use high quality laser printers that create thousands of dots to form a single letter or design. These designs are sent to print using a PDF file and by the end, you get gorgeous a wedding invitation suite to enjoy!
We recommend digital printing for unique wedding invitations. This means any invitation with a stylish modern graphic flair or even one with a more contemporary look.
Pros and Cons:
Pro:
- Prints any design, even complicated ones!
- Lets you print a wide array of colors
- Can print complex patterns
- Short and fast printing time
- Easily-accessible
- Low-cost printing method
Con:
- Flat, printed look
- End result can look plain even “cheap” if you will
- Limited on the type of paper thickness available
FOIL STAMPING
To achieve an elegant wedding invitation, you can’t go wrong with foil stamping. A foil-stamped wedding invitations creates a solid, metallic “stamp” of the words and design on paper. The design is shiny and shimmery, allowing it to draw the eye immediately. It’s the perfect wedding invitation printing method to use if you’re going for a romantic, luxurious or classic wedding.
The end result is an expensive-looking invitation that makes us imagine wealth, royalty and luxury all in one go. Aside from the classic wedding invitation design, it can also be paired with a modern graphic invite to create a one-of-a-kind invitation.
How is it Made?
To create a foil stamp, printers use heat. It’s sometimes called “dry” printing since it doesn’t require ink to create a stamp of words or design. Usually, the wedding invitation design is saved in a PDF file which is reproduced on a magnesium artwork plate. Once ready, the plate will be fixed to a foiling machine and placed above the chosen foil color. Then it’s heated while pressed. The foil is then lifted leaving a perfectly transferred foil color or design on the paper.
Pros and Cons:
Pro:
- Absolutely unique style!
- Elegant and stylish, perfect for classic or romantic weddings!
- Offers a luxurious gold or silver finish.
- Extremely popular for a luxurious, high-end wedding
- Beautiful, chic shine no other printing method can achieve
Con:
- Can become expensive
- Limited colors available
- Other wedding design has to work with foil stamping to be used
- Time consuming process – will take a while so order ahead of time
THERMOGRAPHY
Thermographic printing combines the look of engraving and spot coloring. It uses heat to “melt” the ink and fix it on the paper, just like you would in a craft embossed design. The end print features a shiny look, like plastic. It’s commonly used for wedding invitations, business cards, gift wraps or packaging and can look both formal or stylish. What’s great with thermographic wedding invitation designs is they can echo the look of a high-end engraving minus the cost.
How is it Made?
Thermography can be done manually or in a fully automated setting. Usually a printed sheet is placed on the printing press then ran through a thermography machine. It moves through the powder applicator, covering the sheet with a special thermography powder. The extra powder is taken out, and stored for re-use. Then the powder coated sheet passes through a high-temperature oven to create an engraved look. Afterward, it goes through a cooling tunnel then onto a stack.
Pros and Cons:
Pro:
- Cheaper than an engraved wedding invitation
- Elegant end design and product
- Ideal for small designs or plain text
Con:
- Difficult to get pastel hues
- Works best with light colored and matte paper only so the print stands out
- Won’t work well with shiny or shimmery paper
LETTERPRESS
Considered one of the oldest traditional printing methods out there, it’s lasted so long because of one thing – it looks stunning! There was a time when Letterpress fell out of favor since faster methods like digital printing showed up. But lately, there’s been a resurgence and now letterpress wedding invitations are favored by those who want a high-end look.
A Letterpress print creates an indentation on the surface of thick paper, giving your eyes not only something to look at but your fingers something to touch and feel. It’s become a favorite for couples for who want to signify quality, opulence and tradition in their wedding invitations.
How is it Made?
Letterpress is time-consuming to print since it uses metal plates to press the ink onto the paper. The process leaves behind an impression, giving it a “letter pressed” look. One piece of metal plate can only print one ink at a time, so each invitation has to be printed once for every single color. Each card or design will require one whole plate, hence the slow, tedious process and high price.
Pros and Cons:
Pro:
- Timeless elegance
- Perfect for impressing guests
- Beautiful, artistic end result
- Clean and classic design
- Unique texture and distinctive look
- Can use thicker quality paper
Con:
- More expensive compared to other printing methods
- Limited amount of colors and design
- Can only use thicker paper
So there you go! These are some of the most popular wedding invitation printing methods used today to create memorable wedding invitations. Although it’s tempting to just send out an invitation online, there’s nothing like the feel and smell of opening a paper envelope and being wowed by the beautiful print on a wedding invitation.
If you’re ready to pick out your own party or wedding invitation, visit My Lovely Store. It’s the place to be for creating elegant, timeless and unique wedding invitations to celebrate the most important event of your life – your wedding!