How to Print DIY Wedding Invitations

Weddings can be expensive, and there can be hidden costs everywhere. You might not expect wedding invitations to be costly, but between design fees, professional printing, and postage, costs can add up quickly. An increasingly popular way to save money is by making your own wedding invitations at home. DIY wedding invitations are unique, endlessly customisable, and friendly on your budget.

This guide will take you through the steps for printing wedding invites on your home printer, as well as things to keep in mind, and helpful tips to achieve professional results!

 

Making your design

You’ll need appropriate software to design your wedding invitations. When designing, keep in mind what dimensions you want your finished cards to be. Most design software will have templates to help you if you are designing to a standard size, such as A4, A5 etc. You’ll also want to keep in mind how your design will be printed. For example, do you want a coloured or a classic white background? Even ivory vs white can create a noticeable difference in the finished design, so make sure you preview your designs accordingly.

You’ll also want to be aware of the colours you are choosing. If you’re looking to save money, avoid too many colours, as this will use up your ink more quickly than a greyscale design.

Tip: If you’re on a budget, consider printing in greyscale, then adding colour to your design using dried flowers, stamps with coloured ink, a bright envelope, or colourful wax seals.  

Before printing, make sure the information is correct and that all the information you need is included. Check what to include on a DIY wedding invitation here. Once you’re finished designing, get someone else to proofread, or take a break before doing it yourself.

Tip: Reading aloud can be a good way to catch any spelling or grammar mistakes.

 

Choosing your paper

The quality of your paper can have a huge impact on the look and feel of your wedding invitations. You’ll need to choose a weight, colour, and finish type. Take advantage of samples to find the best option for you.

Things to consider when choosing paper:

Your printer: When choose a weight, consider what your home printer can handle. Your printer manual may include information on the ideal weights for the printer. Some domestic inkjet printers will struggle with very heavy or textured paper. Not only will this result in a poor printing result, but it may jam your printer and damage it.

You’ll also need to consider how your printer will deal with different textures. Some home printers might struggle with very glossy or pearlescent paper. When in doubt, do a test!

Colour:

You want to make sure there is adequate contrast between your paper and your ink. Lighter coloured paper will give you a better result. If you’re not sure if your design will show up, do a test and check for readability.

Tip: If your colour scheme includes dark colours, consider using these for the envelope, a belly band, or wax seals instead. Or, use the darker colour as a background and print your essential information on a lighter insert.

The theme of your wedding:

You can use your wedding invitations to hint at what your theme will be and give guests a taste of what to expect on the day. For example, if your wedding is rustic and outdoorsy, maybe opt for a recycled eco fleck paper with a kraft envelope.

How many sheets will be in each envelope:

We often don’t think of paper as having much bulk, but several layers of card can add up quickly. Consider how many layers you will end up with inside your envelopes and make sure you choose a weight accordingly.

Price:

You also want to be mindful of price, as small costs can add up quick. Once you’ve chosen your paper, consider buying in bulk to get the best deal, and be sure to get just a little more than you think you’ll need in case of mistakes.

 

Get your printer ready… and your ink!

While it may seem self-explanatory, you’ll need a printer to bring your DIY wedding invitations to life.

If you’re printing at home, make sure you have plenty of ink before you start, to avoid interrupting your printing to run to the shop!

Do a test print before starting your main batch. Make sure the colours match what you wanted and that everything is easy to read. Once you’re happy, start printing! As you print, keep an eye on the ink and paper levels and be sure to pause and top up as needed.

 

Cutting and trimming your cards

Depending on what size you’re printing, you might not need to cut your cards. However, if you are printing on a larger sheet and then trimming it down, or printing multiple cards on one sheet, you’ll need something to cut your paper after printing. It might be tempting to use scissors, but its better to invest in a proper paper cutter, which will give you a straight, clean edge. There are a variety of paper cutting tools you can use to cut your cards neatly and precisely. If you haven’t got a paper cutter, a craft knife held along a ruler can also give you a nice straight line. Make sure you have a self-healing mat or cutting board underneath to protect your tabletop!

Tip: You can achieve a unique textured look by carefully tearing the edges of your cards. This is called a deckle edge and you can find many tutorials for it online. If you want this kind of look, you’ll need to leave a little extra space around the edge of the cards.

 

Envelopes

Make sure you have the right sized envelopes for your cards. If you want guests to return their RSVPs, make sure you include envelopes for these too. You’ll also need something to seal your envelopes securely, such as glue dots or double sided tape.

Tip: Write the address on the front of your envelopes before filling or sealing them. This will give you a smooth surface to write on, and you won’t damage anything inside.  

 

Extras

While these aren’t essential, they can really make your DIY wedding invitations feel a little extra special!

Wax seals- Seal your envelopes with a wax seal to add texture and visual interest. You can also add elements like dried petals to your seals.

Ribbon- If you have a lot of items in each envelope, consider wrapping a ribbon around them to keep all the elements together.

Belly bands- Paper or vellum belly bands can be a less bulky alternative to ribbons.

Dried or pressed flowers- Dried flowers are a potentially free and fun way to add a little special flair to your invitations.

Stamps- You can use rubber stamps to add unique texture to your invitations that you won’t get from an inkjet printer alone.

 

Still got questions about printing your wedding invitations at home? Browse our DIY wedding category for inspiration.