Wedding Invitation Printing Options
Your invitation can be printed in more ways than
you thought possible. Nowadays, different techniques can be incorporated
into the printing of your invitation. Beware, some of these techniques
can cost much more than others. It all depends on how you want your
invitation to look and what your budget will allow.
Thermography
If you want the look of engraved printing
but you can't afford it, then this method is a less costly alternative
that comes close to the real thing. The process involves heat that
joins ink and a resin-like powder together. The fusion of the materials
results in the appearance of raised letters. If an invitation looks
engraved but the paper behind the printing is smooth, you have thermographed
printing. This printing process is fast-becoming the most popular
choice for invitations. Recommendations: Thermography is one of the
most popular printing method today. It is great for formal looking
wedding invitations, colored inks, and if you can't wait 4 - 5 weeks
to receive your invitations.
Engraving This process dates back to the seventeenth century and is the oldest
form of printing. It begins by etching the design and/or text into
a copper plate from a negative. The paper is placed on the press face
down above the inked plate. It is then printed by pressure coming
down on the back of the sheet while the front of the sheet meets with
the plate. This "sandwich" effect creates the raised lettering
on the front and bruising on the back of the printed paper, which
are both classic features of engraving. Typically you will receive
the actual copper plate used for printing as a keepsake. Black ink
is usually the best color for this style. Recommendations: This type
of printing is quite a bit more expensive than thermography, so engraving
is usually done for ultra-formal wedding invites, formal parties in
general, or when there are few budgetary constraints. Engraving is
also suitable for events with a large guest list since it becomes
more cost effective in larger quantities. You will also have to allow
for longer printing times, up to 4 weeks with some of brands.
Foil Stamping Foil stamping begins by etching the design and/or text into a copper
plate from a film negative. The foil (not always shiny in color, as
the name “foil” implies), which is a special mylar backed
material, is applied to paper where the heated copper plate is stamped
onto the foil, making it adhere to the surface. This leaves the imprint
of the letter pressed into the paper. It has been made popular again
by the revival of letterpress printing, since it produces a very similar
look and feel. However, unlike letterpress, you are able to use the
wide range of typestyle and motif choices available in the market
today. Recommendations: This is used most commonly for formal wedding
invitations with paper that have heavy texture and grooves. This type
of printing is expensive, and comparable in price to engraving.
Letterpress This type of printing utilizes a movable type machine. The inked raised
type is stamped onto the paper. The various typestyles on the market
today are not available with this printing process, since the characters
are pre-set and determined based on the machine itself (think of it
like a typewriter). See “Foil Stamping” definition above
for similar look and feel, yet more flexibility in typeface. It's
not easy to find printers that will provide this type of printing
but if you find one that will, the effect will look best on handmade
paper. Recommendations: This process is used most commonly for invitations
that have unusual textured paper and is much more expensive than most
other types of printing. It has been made popular again by Martha
Stewart.
Lithography, Offset This type of printing is probably what you're probably most familiar
with where an inked impression is made to a plate or a rubber cylinder
and transferred to paper. Ink colors are mixed in cans from Pantone
or RGB colors for exact matches. The printing appears as a flat image.
Recommendations: This type of printing is most commonly used for textured
papers or paper that can't be produced via thermography, engraving
or digital. It is probably the easiest printing method and one of
the least expensive printing options.
Digital Printing With advancements in technology over the past 10 years, the digital
and offset printing worlds have finally collided. Huge offset presses
by Heidelberg (one of the most renowned and prestigious offset manufacturers)
are being replaced by high resolution, high quality Xerox digital
printers by printing manufacturers all over the world. These prints
produce remarkable results based on digitally-rendered files. The
native digital file is sent directly to the digital printer, losing
no image quality. Colors can cover the entire rainbow spectrum, and
are as bold, vibrant and as comparable to color offset printing. The
printing appears as a flat image.
Recommendations: This type of printing is most commonly used for smooth
or lightly textured papers. It is the most economical way of printing
(next to printing yourself on your own inkjet or laser printer) and
a perfect solution for those wanting professional print quality at
reasonable prices.
Embossing No ink is involved with this method. Metal plates that are etched
with letters are stamped into paper so what is left behind is the
imprint of the letter. You'll be able to see this printing type on
the borders of many invitations, addresses, and monograms.
Recommendations: Embossing is best when used to accent an invitation
as with borders, monograms, motifs, and the return address on the
envelope flap. Embossing is an added cost, but well worth the visual
3-Dimensional effect it creates. You will only want to order embossing
if you have 3-4 weeks to wait for your invitations to be printed.
Calligraphy For a fancy handwritten appearance calligraphy is always a beautiful
option. Special pens and special ink along with someone who is skilled
in the art of calligraphy can perform this task usually done for addressing.
For a matching invitation a print style can be used. Or, a calligraphic
original can be made into a plate for engraving or as a model for
offset printing.
Recommendations: Calligraphy is an option for invitations for a small
wedding, unless you have an endless budget. More commonly, people
have their guests' addresses done in calligraphy on their inner and
outer envelopes. The return address is usually printed on the envelope
flap. If you are having a calligrapher address your envelopes, we
recommend ordering your envelopes to be sent in advance, so when your
invitations arrive your envelopes will already be addressed and ready
to be stuffed.
Computerized Calligraphy This method can be used for addressing and printing invitations. Many
typestyles are available today that look just like calligraphy writing,
but may be printed so that your entire ensemble, including addressed
envelopes, will match in a calligraphic typestyle. Mygatsby.com has
capabilities, in-house, to address your envelopes to match the typestyle
of your invitations, depending on the typestyle you've selected or
to print a calligraphic style.
Recommendations: If you are a stickler for perfection, looking for
a uniform typestyle, or would like calligraphy without the high price,
this is a splendid option. You can have your envelopes addressed in
the same typestyle as your invitation wording; everything will match
perfectly and it will cost less than having them hand done by a calligrapher.
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Courtesy of MyGatsby.com
wedding invitations
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