Archive for 'Inserts' Category

Creating an information pack to go with your invitations

20 August 2008

An information pack is a great way to give your guests all the information they need about your wedding. Firstly decide what information you want to include; You may want to consider a map, directions, menu, dress code, gift list, nearby hotels, a plan of the day and perhaps things to do in the area if you have guests staying to enjoy your wedding venue for longer.

Type this information into a Word Processing document and decide how many pages you will need. This will depend on the style and size of invitation you have chosen and how much information you want to include. Ask someone to read this through for you before you start printing to make sure it is easy to understand and has all the information your guests will need.

A chequebook style invitation or a gatefold card with a flat insert can have extra pages added to it so that the information is all contained within the invitation. Print the extra pages at the same time as your invitation insert and attach in the same way.

A pocket invitation can have additional card inserts for the extra information. Make them in the same colours and papers as the original insert and place alongside the invitation card. A wallet style invitation is very flexible and can hold a separate removable information booklet or a single flat card, depending on how many pages you need.

For a larger information pack, consider making a booklet in the same way as you would make an Order of Service. You can embellish it to match the rest of your stationery. This would work well if you have a traditional invitation card and have lots of information you want your guests to have. Simply include your information pack with your invitation when you post them out.

However you choose to present the information to your guests you will be glad to have the days and weeks before your wedding making the final arrangements, instead of answering your guests questions about where to stay, when to arrive and what to wear!

Creative Inserts

7 May 2008

The insert of an invitation is often seen as only the functional part of the card where information is communicated, but it’s also worth bearing in mind that inserts can be beautiful whilst remaining practical. Thoughtfully added design touches in the inside of your card will give your invitations added professional flair and can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. We will look at different ways you can embellish your inserts and how to achieve an expert, elegant result.

Inserts do not have to be the same colour as the card itself, contrasting colours and speciality papers can be used very effectively. Vellum or pearl papers can add a little extra glamour to a simple design. Creative text techniques can also be used inside your invitation.

Edit your templates and experiment with the placing of the words, leaving gaps in the text where you can place an embellishment. Try this with peel-offs, bows, crystals or any other non bulky embellishment. Avoid using three-dimensional paper flowers inside a folded card and keep them for the design on the front instead.

Punches are a useful tool for decorating inserts. Try shaping corners and adding punched shapes in rows, pairs or singly. Experiment with punching pearl or mulberry paper shapes in a colour that matches or complements your design. You could also punch a hole through your insert paper and place an embellishment onto the card behind so it sits in a small window; this would look particularly effective with matching shapes. Try punching a heart and adding a heart gem to the card behind the aperture for instance, or a circle with a flat flower behind, the combinations and options are endless.

For flat or gatefold invitations layering unfolded flat inserts is very effective. This is a great way of including lots of information in the invitation whilst keeping a streamlined design. Print inserts for accommodation, directions, menu, gift list, and any extra information, varying the lengths of each page if you wish. If you wish to decorate the inserts when creating a design like this make sure you use only the flattest of embellishments to avoid bulk. Secure the layers to the card at the top or side with brads or by punching holes and tying with decorative cord or ribbon.

However you choose to embellish your inserts, make sure that the design has an element of continuity inside and out and your guests are sure to be wowed by your creativity when they receive your unique invitations.

“Should I attach inserts to the left or right side of the card?”

6 July 2007

Here at the Wedding Crafter we nearly always attach inserts to the left hand side of the card, near the spine. When fixed like this, the insert will fall open when the card is opened, allowing people to read the contents of the invitation or order of service straight away.

The exception would be for an order of service if you wish to print on both sides of the front page. Some couples like to put their names, the date and venue details on the first page leaving the 2 middles pages for the service details. In this case you would attach the insert with the adhesive on the right hand side of the spine.

Inserts - Using Special Papers

5 January 2007

While many people choose a plain paper insert to co-ordinate with their card, there are a wide range of specialist papers you can also use to great effect.

What types of papers can you use?

• Vellum (translucent paper) is ideal for inserts and gives a really luxurious feel. This is available in clear plus various colours, irridescent and printed styles.
• Pearlescent Paper also great for inserts. Note that some pearlescent papers are plain on the reverse so are not suitable if you want to print on both sides - for example in an order of service.
• Mulberry paper is quite thin and although you can print on it, it is usually considered a little too flimsy for inserts. However, if you are looking for a very delicate look it is an option to try.
• Handmade paper is generally too thick for use as an insert in a folded card. If you like handmade papers, why not use these as the outer with a paper insert?

Printing on special papers

With all special papers, it is a good idea to check a sample first on the printer you intend to use. Most will have no difficulty, but there can be problems with ink smudging and paper feed with some models.

Ink will take longer to dry than on normal printer paper so if you are having problems with smudging we recommend:

• First, change your print settings to “draft” or as low a setting as gives satisfactory results. This reduces the amount of ink.
• Second, remove each sheet as it prints - don’t let them stack up on the printer - and leave until the ink is completely dry

 

Inserts - an overview

14 September 2006

For most special occasion stationery an insert is used - this is simply a piece of paper on which the details are printed and gives a more professional look than printing directly onto the card.

Apart from looking better, an insert has the advantage that it can be added at the last minute. So you can make up your invitation cards well in advance and just print and add the inserts before sending when the final details and guestlist are confirmed.

A plain white or cream paper is usually used for inserts, but vellum (translucent paper) is also popular as are coloured pearlescent papers. The paper should be good quality, but not too heavy as thick paper can make the card too bulky. 100gsm is an ideal weight for insert paper. If using a special paper, it’s a good idea to test it through your printer to make sure the ink doesn’t smudge - there are steps you can take to prevent this and we will cover these in a future article.