Envelopme.com University

Since our last post, we’ve had a lot of questions on doing custom stamps to complement your wedding ensemble. These are so easy, and not much more expensive than regular postage stamps!  The two online services we have used and like the best are PhotoStamps and Zazzle (you can also go to our new Zazzle store to see more examples).

You can make stamps with a custom monogram, motif, your photo, or just about anything. And don’t forget to match postage for your RSVP cards and thank you notes.  There are also lots of beautiful pre-designed stamps to choose from on either PhotoStamps or Zazzle if you don’t like the standard USPS offerings. What a great way to introduce your beautiful event, and add that one more personal touch to your invitations.

custom-monogram2 by envelopme
More Monogram Postage

Remember, if we’re designing or printing your invitations for you, just ask and we’ll be happy to design a matching custom stamp for you at no extra charge. We can upload it for you so you can order directly from Zazzle, or we can order it for you.  Both  PhotoStamps and Zazzle offer stamps in sheets of 20 at various denominations for your invitations, RSVP and thank you correspondence. Prices for stamps from each company are listed on their websites. If you’re designing on your own stamps, both websites are super-easy to use – and if you’re not a designer, you can easily design it right on line!

damask-frame-monogram by envelopme
Shop all other stamps on Zazzle

TIP: Be sure to take a sample of your completed invitation to the post office before you order stamps to make sure you order the right stamps to mail your invitations! (See Part I of “all about postage” below for more info about mailing your invitations.)

Because we get so many questions about mailing invitations, we decided to do a post to help answer a few of your postal questions.

Postage rates for your invitations are determined by weight, size, and “nonmachinable characteristics”so we’ll discuss each of these one at a time.

Weight - a regular first class letter rate 1 oz. stamp ($.44 at the time of this writing) will mail a letter under 1 oz.  This size of stamp will usually mail your RSVP card in a reply envelope, and possibly your invitation if it doesn’t have a lot of inserts and is not in a pocketfold or other enclosure.  Most invitations using a 5 x 7 size pocketfold with backings and 3 insert cards will weigh between 1 and 2 oz., and will require the 2 oz. stamp. Invitations in 7 x 7 or 6 x 9 Pocketfolds will often go over 2 oz., but are usually less than 3 oz.

Size - The smallest card you can mail is 3.5 x 5, so don’t plan to try mailing anything smaller than that in the mail. Oversize rates do not apply until your letter is larger than 6.5 x 11.5″, so most invitations will not fall into this category.  NOTE however, that if you are designing an RSVP postcard, and you intend to use the postcard-rate stamp ($.28 at the time of this writing), you must fall within 3.5 to 4.25 high by 5 to 6 inches long.  The smallest postcard would be 3.5 x 5, and the largest allowable postcard would be 4.25 x 6.  Keep in mind that you can mail larger postcards for the first class stamps, but postcards mailed as first class letters are still subject to the size/ratio and non-machinable rules below for rates. Often, with pocketfold invitations, brides prefer to match the size of the pocket for reply postcards and use a first class stamp, rather than meeting the post office size regulations to use the post card rate stamp.

Non-Machinable – Sounds scary, I know.  Non-machinable just means it can’t go through the cancellation machine. This happens when it’s square (or just not the correct rectangular ratio of length to width), if it’s rigid (doesn’t bend enough to feed through the rollers), or if there are other decorations (buckles, ribbons, etc.) that will keep it from running smoothly through the machine.  You may need to use the non-machinable rate anyway, as many brides request hand-cancellation for their invitations.

Here’s the link to the USPS website calculator to help you determine current rates and regulations: http://postcalc.usps.gov/.  You’ll also want to visit your post office with a completed invitation in hand to make sure your precious envelopes can be delivered to your guests, and you don’t end up with a pile of returned mail.

TIP: If the limited post office selection of stamps for your beautiful invitations leave you feeling blue, check out our post on All About Postage – Part II: Custom Stamps.

Happy New Year!!! After a little break for the holiday, we’re back with a brand new set of how-to videos to help you dress up your envelopes.  This easy project will give the final personal touch to your invitation with a custom address label.  The wraps are a great way to dress up your envelope with motifs and color — and they are so much easier than printing directly on your envelopes!

Now that you’ve seen them, part 2 of this series is the step-by-step guide to create these labels at home for your own invitations.

We have also created a Word template you can use to mail-merge your guest list. TIP: You might find it easier to to design one file with your return addresses and artwork and print these first. Then reprint the sheets with the separate mail merge file containing your guest addresses.

If we’re printing your invitations, ask us how we can help with your custom envelope labels as well.

Remember that we have everything you need to create beautiful invitations on our website. Best of luck with your project!

images © 2009 Envelopments, Inc.

Can you believe it’s already NOVEMBER?  Neither can we… but that means its time to stop thinking about your holiday cards and start creating them.

It’s the perfect way to remember friends and family this season, fabulous for your holiday gala, and just the way to thank your business customers—whatever the occasion, these handmade cards are the way to show you care.

If you haven’t figured out your greetings for this season, we have a few links to help you get started. On both of these links, the recipes are included so you can easily recreate this invitation at home, OR, if you prefer, we can design and print it for you.  Assembly services are also available if you prefer cards that are “ready to mail”.

Click here to view designs by Envelopments, Inc. (lots of new ideas for this year!)

Some classic holiday designs featuring Envelopments products (including more photo cards)

You can order blank stock to print your own, or contact us if you need a quote for your printed cards. Order early to be sure we can get printed cards to you on time for your event, and to avoid costly express shipping. We’ll always do all we can to meet your deadline, but if time is tight, please contact us so we can discuss timelines.

If you need something a little less custom this year, you can also visit our discount holiday site, where you can design and order printed holiday greetings online for a big discount off retail (not Envelopments, but still nice). And if you need something VERY custom, please also allow us to provide a quote for your dream design.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We hope all your holidays are SPECTACULAR this year.

After a couple of rush jobs and a little break, we’re back with a beautiful invitation submitted by Molly. We love the inviting color scheme for autumn, and the “lovebird” motive brings in a personal touch.

Here’s Molly’s Recipe:

Invitation
5 x 5 Signature Side Pocketfold in French Roast
Custom Cut Stock 5.625 x 5.625 in Kimono Red (stuck to Pocketfold with double stick tape)

Laser Printed Invitation (Letter Size Classic Ecru Cardstock cut to 5” x 5”)
Custom Cut Stock 5.125 x 5.125 in French Roast
These two layers were then attached to Pocketfold on top of the red layer with a medium foam square

RSVP Card
Laser Printed RSVP information (Letter Size Classic Ecru Cardstock cut to 3.25” x 4.75”)
Attached to 3.5 x 5 Cut Stock  in Kimono Red with double stick tape gun
3.5 x 5 Classic Ecru Envelope included for RSVP return

Information Card
Laser Printed information card (Letter Size Classic Ecru Cardstock cut to 5” x 4.25”)

Belly Band
2 x 17 cut stock in Paprika, trimmed to wrap around closed Pocketfold and tacked down with double stick tape gun
5/8″ brown satin ribbon, wrapped around Pocketfold, aligned to the center of the paper band and tacked down to the front of the band with double stick tape gun
Custom Cut Stock 1.75 x 3.5 Kimono Red, mounted to the center of the front of the paper band, on top of the ribbon with the tape gun
8.5 x 11 sheets of Classic Ecru Cardstock for printing name plate on the front (cut to 3.3875 in x 1.6375 in), tacked down with tape gun on top of the kimono red panel on front of belly band

Outer Envelope
5 x 5 Envelope Liner in Paprika
5 x 5 Envelope Classic Ecru

Molly’s Experience:

I spent a lot of time designing my invitations, and ended up with something I am ridiculously proud of.  They were a lot of work… a lot of cutting and a lot of sticking down, but in the end, it was all so worth it.  I have received so many compliments, and I can’t look at them without smiling!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful invitations, Molly!

Congratulations Katie Behr for winning our $50.00 drawing in our contest.  All of our entries were wonderful, and we’ll continue to feature them through the fall.  Thanks to everyone who participated, and if you missed out this time, don’t worry – we’ll have another contest in a few months.  We love to see your creativity!

This week’s feature was submitted by Denise, who designed these for a friend.  We love the creative way she incorporated the design on the main invitations as well as on the insert cards (this is a little tricky, so practice and measure!)

Here’s Denise’s Recipe:

• 5 x 7 Pocketfold – Portrait, C2 Bronze
• 5 x 7 Cardstock, C2 Sunstone
• Invitation Layer, custom cut to 4.5 x 7.5, C1 Classic White
• Seal backing layer – 2.5 x 3.5 C2 Sunstone (if you order the 3.5 x 5 cards, you can cut 2 each if you cut yourself)
• Printed Seal – 2 x 3, C1 Classic White
• Outer Envelope – 5 x 7 C1 Classic White w/ optional envelope liner in C2 Sunstone (not shown)

Enclosure Cards – C1 Classic White:

• Direction Card cut to 5 x 6.75*
• Accommodations card cut to 5 x 6*
• RSVP Card, 3.5 x 5  (floated higher in the pocket)
• RSVP Envelope (fits 3.5 x 5 products)

*Note that this design “bleeds” off the edge on all the cards.  To achieve this look, you need to print on a larger sheet and cut down after printing.

Denise printed her invitations on a color laser printer.  Here are her tips to creating your own successful invitation at home:

• Buy samples of what you think you want: I bought all the pieces I thought I might use and tested and measured everything before I bought enough to do all 100+ invites.
• Do a full mock up of what you want before you get into it – make sure you know how everything will fit, down to the RSVP envelope fitting in your pocket (if you have something like that).
• Buy extra…especially of envelopes: I ran the envelopes through my printer and it took a few tries to get everything to line up just right.
• Start early: things always take long than you think.
• Test adhesives: I thought I was going to use a Tombo brand Power Bond tape, but found the Permanent Bond tape worked better. The first one didn’t stick as well to the metallic finish on the metallic paper.  (NOTE from EnvelopMe.com – We recommend the 3M tape sold on the website.  It will adhere the various stocks and is recommended by the manufacturer as well.)
• Have things cut to the size you want: don’t waste the time trying to do it yourself. Just have Envelopements do it.
• Test printing colors: If you want the paper you buy to match the ink you’re printing with, do a few test runs in advance until you have the right color. Different printers (like Kinkos and Staples) print differently than what you get at home.

Hope you like them!

Denise

Thanks for sharing these beautiful invitations, Denise!

This week’s feature invitation was submitted by Jes.  We loved her creative use of our Envelopments® Pocketfolds to make an invitation that was uniquely her own.

Here’s what I did.  My weekend celebration wedding invitations fit wonderfully in your fold over envelopes [AKA: Pocketfolds®].  I had the perfect space to include details and directions.

Thanks!

Jes

Invitation Recipe:

• 5 x 7 Pocketfold – Signature Side, C1 Black Linen
• 4.5 x 6.5 Insert Cards – C1 Classic White (in this example, Jes cut all three cards to the same size, but you could also step down the height – 6.5, 5.5, 4.5, depending on your design.)
• 12 x 12 Paper – P1 Classic White, cut to 3 x 12 (If you cut this yourself, you’ll get 4 strips out of each sheet.  If you order it cut from Envelopments, you’ll only get 1 strip.)
• 5 x 7 Envelopes – C1 Classic White
• Optional: 5 x 7 Envelope Liners in Tourmaline to match pink in invitations

Interior booklet

• For the wrap, cut 3” wide ribbon into 12” strips (pinking shears work best). Fold in half to 3 x 6″ and iron the ribbon to create a nice crease in the middle for the paper invitation.
• Jes created a booklet (print on the paper cut down to 3”X12” pieces – when folded in half, they create a four page booklet using front and back)
• Line the crease of the ribbon with seam glue (found at a fabric store) and attach the folded papers, then you can do the same with your second sheet for a booklet if you need additional insert pages.
• Cut accent ribbon into 24” strips.  Tie the ribbon where you think it looks best (Jes suggests, “put a dab of glue on the ribbon and attached it to the back of the large ribbon to hold it in place.”)

Thanks for sharing your beautiful invitation with us Jes!

In honor of Fashion Week in NYC this week, we’ll take some tips from top designers and celebrate color!  Top designers are showing off their palettes for Spring 2010 this week (which we’ll review in the next few weeks… be sure to join us on FACEBOOK or TWITTER for article updates so you don’t miss it), but today’s EnvelopMe.com University post will focus on 2009 Fall Trends. And, take our poll at the right to share your style when it comes to seasonal colors.

We’re taking our color cues from Pantone, the industry’s color authority for fashion, interiors and print.  The staff at Pantone interviews the top designers and puts together a palette of the top 10 colors for each season. You can download their FREE Fall Color Trends report here. There is also a section on several of the featured designers and their favorite color picks and combination, so you can read more about the colors or designer that matches your personality and style. Here are the colors they have identified as the top colors for Fall 2009:

Pantone color names and images © Pantone, Inc. 2009

Based on Pantone’s top colors, we’ve put together some samples using Envelopments stocks to coordinate with the hottest looks this fall. Whether you’re creating invitations for a wedding, holiday or other celebration, you’ll find color combinations that work for you. For your convenience, we’ve cross-referenced Pantone’s Fall Trend color selections with the cardstock colors we carry (and C4 Accents in these colors) to help you create show-stopping invitation ensembles.

American Beauty – suggested stocks: C1 Geisha or Kimono Red, C2 Garnet, C3 Contessa, C4 Pyrite REG99, C4 Kimono Red PLU73

Burnt Sienna – suggested stocks: C1 Adobe, C2 Pennyite

Creme Brulee – suggested stocks: C1 Yellow Linen, C2 Creme Brulee (more ivory), C2 Pyrite (more gold/taupe)

Iron – suggested stocks: C1 Cocoa, C3 Osetra, C4 Pyrite REP01, C4 Pyrite MEH01

Majolica Blue – suggested stocks: C1 Indigo, C2 Lapis, C4 Pyrite REG95, C4 Creme Brulee KIT02

Rapture Rose – suggested stocks: C1 Azalea, C2 Rubelite, C4 Azalea DOT00

Purple Heart – suggested stocks: C1 Amethest, C2 Ruby

Honey Yellow – suggested stocks: C1 Plantain, C2 Yellow Topaz, C3 Turmeric (more yellow) and C1 Kumquat, C3 Guava, C4 Creme Brulee REG09 (more orange)

Nomad- suggested stocks: C1 Natural Kraft, C1 Tobacco, C2 Burnt Sugar (more brown), C2 Champangium (more gold/taupe), C3 Willow, C4 Creme Brulee KIT25, Creme Brulee NOU53, Diamond REG 25, Diamond MEH 34

Warm Olive – suggested stocks: C1 Green Tea, C1 Bamboo (lighter), C2 Wicked, C4 Pyrite ABA83, C4 White Micah KAL12, C4 Ecru Micah KIT12, Bamboo REG95

And, of course, you can combine these colors with each other, or with other colors from our selections.  Here are some ideas:

Click here to see our gallery. And click here for even more ideas from Envelopments. Envelopments also has developed “Color Concepts” — a feature showing color combinations in different color families. Click here to browse our Color Concepts.

If you need assistance with color selection or design, just give us a call at 1-866-MY-INVITE and we’ll be happy to help. You can order blank supplies to print on your own, and remember, we offer complete professional design and print services as well.

This beautiful wedding set was submitted by Sarah, an independent invitation designer. What we love about this submission is the way the bold colors elegantly combine to set the theme for this beach wedding, and how that theme is carried through from the save-the-dates to the invitation.  We also adore the round monogram seal on the front!

The invitation was printed on an ink-jet printer, and assembled using double-stick tape.

Continue reading Invitation Inspiration – “Classy Keys” Wedding Set