Printing Tips

(I don’t recommend using VistaPrint as they do not offer a “true” 5″x7″ invite. I’m not sure why they call it 5×7 on their website, because they will crop off quite a bit from all 4 sides and it ends up being a very odd size, not 5″x7″).

If you are ok with just printing single sided invites (no pattern on the backside), then you could simply have them printed as 5″x7″ photographs at any photo lab, such as Walmart, Costco, Walgreens, etc. They would be printed as 5″x7″ JPG photos.  Printing as photos will give you nice vibrant colours but you will only be able to print single sided. This would probably be the most cost effective option as photo prints are usually only cents a piece.

You could also have them printed 2 per page at a copy center such as Staples or Office Depot/Max (I do NOT recommend using Kinkos).  I would then put 2 invites on an 8.5″x11″ page, saved as a PDF with bleed and crop marks for easy trimming (both front and back designs).  You would then print the PDF’s as single or double-sided 8.5″x11″ documents on white cardstock.  Many locations will trim the invites to size for you if requested, otherwise you would have to trim them out by hand.

If you’d prefer to print your invites on your home printer, I would supply you with the same 8.5″x11″ PDF mentioned above with 2 invites on a page.  You would then print them out on white cardstock (min. 110lbs recommended) or photo paper.  They can be trimmed to size using a paper cutter, x-acto knife with ruler, or just a pair of scissors.

The invitations measure 5″x7″ and fit perfectly into standard A7 sized envelopes. Envelopes can be found at many places including Walmart, Target, office supply stores, craft stores such as Michael’s, or even online at Amazon.com, Etsy.com, PaperAndMore.com and Envelopes.com, just to name a few.

The food label PDF’s come blank and do not have edible fields.  You can print them off and fill in by hand, or if you have a graphics program where you can create layers (such as Photoshop), you can add your own text that way.  If you’d like, I can add custom text to the labels for you.  Just send me a message and let me know exactly how many labels you will be needing designed, and I will send you a custom quote.

The cupcake toppers and “thank you” tags are designed as 2.5″ squares but can be made into circles using a 2″ round craft punch. I use this one here.

Any of the items can be made into stickers simply by printing on 8.5″x11″ full sheet sticker paper, such as this.  Sticker paper can be purchased wherever stationery products are sold; Staples, Office Depot, Walmart, Target, or even on Amazon.  Just print, trim out items, peel and stick!

To assemble the banners you will need ribbon or string.  Simply punch holes in the top 2 corners of each flag, then weave your ribbon through the holes of each flag.

My hats come with a detailed instruction sheet for assembly.  You will need an x-acto knife and ruler (or just scissors), glue, and ribbon or elastic cord to make the hats wearable. Elastic cord is available in the jewelry making section at most craft stores.  Here is an example.

The cards measure 4-7/8″ x 3-1/2″ when folded and fit perfectly into standard 4BAR (A1) envelopes. Envelopes can be found at many places including Walmart, Target, office supply stores, craft stores such as Michael’s, or even online at Amazon.com, Etsy.com, PaperAndMore.com, and Envelopes.com, just to name a few.

To add thumbprints to the artwork, you will need to supply your guests with ink pads.  These can be purchased at any craft store in any colour you wish. You may also want to supply guests with a fine tip Sharpie pen to sign their name over their fingerprint.