Save the Date Originals

QR Code on a Save the Date Card

2012-01-19T21:11:00.009-06:00

QR codes: Little blocky black and white graphics that you may have seen there and there. Your phone (if it has a camera) can scan and interpret a QR code. Commonly, the QR code will take you to a website. This can be used for a lot of things; Imagine a movie advertisement with a QR code that takes you to a website with a trailer for that movie.

In the same way that website addresses have become a common addition to save the dates and even sometimes invitations, QR codes are just starting to get added in more often to personalized stationery. A good example is that I've had a customer ask me to print a QR code on the back of her holiday card. The QR code took receivers to a blog post that talked about the family happenings for the year.

This time, a customer asked me to put the QR code within their save the dates design. And it wasn't a modern style save the date design, where you could expect to get away with quirky blocky elements.

This one, to be exact:

It's a popular 5x3.5 inch save the date card from my save the date card gallery.

It took me a minute to conceive an idea for this. It turns out that you can change the colors of the QR code graphic without messing up the functionality. So I switched the QR code to cream and brown, then added in into a 4x5.25 inch version of the design:

Their QR code takes guests to their wedding website.

I have to admit, this turned out better than I would have expected for a nice wedding save the date design that has a QR code as actually part of the design. Thus, I declare this my favorite project of the month for January 2012.

*To protect the couple's privacy, the names, website, and QR code on the photographed example have been altered*

Looking forward to 2012

2011-12-29T20:30:00.006-06:00

Hello! This is the last STDO blog post for 2011. It's been a good year; More magnet sizes, more designs, product upgrades, and more.

I, Angela Bauter, hereby resolve to keep improving the website and working on new designs.

Portuguese save the dates

2011-11-28T16:02:00.004-06:00

Save the Date Originals does save the dates. Cards. Magnets. Themes. Many sizes, many colors. Photographic, non photographic. And also in alternate languages.

Right now the only person on staff is limited to English. If the customer can speak/write English, or they have a friend that can act as a go between, they can work with STDO on a project. The project itself doesn't have to be English! Of course the customer is definitely solely responsible for proof reading in that case.

Check out the popular wedding save the date design now turned into a Portuguese birthday save the date:

Communication with the designer is done via email in English- but the customer can email the text for the design in an alternate language. Spanish is a popular alternative to English for projects.

Sometimes it gets tricky because a lot of the fonts that are available won't have that accents or flourishes needed; But for small things like save the dates, a few of those can be added right in by the designer.

This leads into mentioning that you can get bilingual save the dates and invitations. You can get some # of cards or magnets in one language, some # in another. Another option is to go for double sided printing- one language on one side, another language on the other side.

Why choose Save the Date Originals?

2011-11-11T21:15:00.004-06:00

1) Design variety. You can find all manner of styles on the website- from offbeat to elegant, simple to photographic, sports, humor, skylines, cartoons, floral, you name it. And if you don't see it, it can probably be made.

2) Personal attention from a designer. Want some tweaks? Can do. Switch up the colors a bit. Move a design element over a bit. If your photo doesn't fit the design you saw, I'll make some tweaks just to get you what you want. Don't end up with awkward and weird text positioning from an automated service.

3) Quality printing. Magnets are printed with 8 tank printers, versus the old 4 tank printers that many fridge magnet makers are using. Want a bright lime green or a vibrant royal blue, instead of a darker washed out looking version of these colors? Can do.

4) Fridge magnets from STDO have a laminated finish, are made with a 20mil magnet, and, are hand cut. Say no to flimsy magnets that arrive crooked and yes to awesomeness from STDO.

5) Integrity. Your won't be shoved through an ordering process that is full of advertisements, nor will any of your information ever be sold to partner companies just for an extra buck.

6) USA business. Nothing you buy from STDO is going to be made in China. And when you have a problem, you talk directly to STDO employees... not an overseas customer support team.

Happy Slingshot Birds Save the Date Card

2011-10-22T18:19:00.007-05:00

How is this for offbeat? A save the date card with two happy birds flying towards... their wedding cake.

No angry birds here! Just some good humor for those engaged couples who love the game "Angry Birds". Have fun with your wedding :-)

PS: This can be made as a fridge magnet.

Save the Date + Happy Holidays

2011-10-12T00:09:00.005-05:00

Around this time of the year, I start to receive questions like "can I send save the dates out with my holiday cards"? and "How to I mail save the dates out with my christmas cards?"

Can you? Yes. But... you have to make sure that you send save the dates in ONLY with those family members that are sure to receive an invitation later. "Save the date for my wedding" does not equal "announcing my engagement". If you want to stick with just announcements, those were around long before save the dates were.

How do you? Well, if you are getting a save the date card and a holiday card, it's as simple as putting both in the envelope. If you are getting magnets, though, and the card isn't the same size as the magnet, you could end up with the magnet edges scratching the card in transit- doesn't look the best. Two options are to make your card so that part of it holds the magnet, or to include the magnets in their own little envelopes.

Slits or photo corners with a folded card that is printed with a holiday message would work well for a holder holiday card.

There are mini envelopes available for both the 2x3.5 inch and 2.5x4 inch magnet sizes. These smaller sizes are problematic for mailing on their own- you can't mail anything out that is smaller than 3.5x5 inches with the US postal service. But included inside another envelope? Perfect.

Save the Date Originals is preparing the holiday section right now... those who order either the 2x3.5 or 2.5x4 inch save the date magnets with holiday cards get mini envelopes for free.

No, your save the date doesn't *have* to be christmas themed either. If your wedding is actually going to be the following winter, that works out well, but otherwise, go with the colors and theme that you would normally go with.

Visit the holiday card section.

Metallic

2011-09-28T19:56:00.004-05:00

Sometimes a customer will ask me if I can print on "glossy" paper when they are not actually looking for a smooth clear gloss. What they are looking for is that kind of paper that has a shimmer to it. This card stock or paper is called "pearlescent" or "metallic".

Personally, I love shimmery cards! White shimmer, cream shimmer, silver shimmer, you name it. Any invitation or save the date card is more awesome on pearlescent paper.

Taking care of business(es) part 7

2011-09-22T12:55:00.008-05:00

There are a few things that a businesses can do to incorporate fridge magnets into their marketing.

The first option is obvious. A small to mid sized magnet that is essentially and advertisement for the business.

Example: 4x2.5 inch magnet for an Inn.

A second option is to put something useful on the magnet, and then to include a logo or website somewhere on the magnet. What might your customer find useful? Perhaps a local list and emergency or city phone numbers. Maybe a year calendar. Both of those options are excellent for keeping your business in a customer's mind in the short run, but after a year the calendar is no longer useful, and eventually, those phone numbers will change eventually.

Example: 8.5x11 inch calendar magnet.

A third option then is to choose some artwork, a fantastic photo, or maybe just a popular quotation about life and humor, as the focus of the magnet. This is somewhat like a "favor magnet" that just happens to have your logo or website link on it.

Here is an example of one of my own favor magnets, that includes a quote and champagne glasses. My website url is tucked right in there at the bottom.

Those are your basic options, but not the only ones. Each business might find a new way to use fridge magnets. Ziker Uniforms recently had an idea for magnets to hand out to their customers: 4x6 inch biographical magnets.

Ziker Uniforms has been around since 1917 helping businesses manage thier image and employee benefit programs.

The company recently re-routed their stops, and wanted to get the new Route Service Representative information to their customers. The bio magnets, which are different versions of the same design with the photograph and bio for each RSR, were a neat personal way to do that. The design includes the location addresses, phone number, website, logos, and RSR name, all of which are assured to "stick around" on the customer's fridge. Each RSR hands out magnets with their own photo and info.

Check out the Ziker Uniforms website.

Sports Themed Weddings

2011-08-24T20:56:00.012-05:00

Sports themed save the dates are something I have blogged about several times. There is more to say about stationery for that theme, though, beyond save the dates! You didn't think people stopped with their save the dates, did you?

Now, as you might guess, the next thing on a couple's mind after they order their save the dates is... invitations!

I offer a larger ticket design for invitations:

But also to be added soon is this new 5.5x8.5 inch invitation design:

It is a nice clean layout with two jerseys. The red back-flap printed envelopes add the excitement factor. The envelope says "The game is on and you are invited!"

Next, we have a pocketfold invitation:

Again, a fairly simple design, all things considered, with a solid baseball sports theme.

Beyond the invitations, you start to get into stationery for the wedding itself. There is a post about sports themed table #'s somewhere on this blog. This photo, however, is of ticket escort cards:

*Escort cards are a little different than place cards. Place cards are placed *at* the tables, and people wander until they find their place cards. Escort cards are on a table near the entrance. A guest picks up their escort card, and this card tells the guest which table number to go to.*

In this case, the envelopes are written with the guest's name. They pull out their ticket, which tells them where to go.

These new sporty ideas are all due to customers coming to me and asking about a new idea.

Now, what about after the wedding? Well, I have no photographs of a sports themed thank you card for you yet, but, you know they will come along to this blog sooner or later.

Save the Dates focused on your state

2011-08-10T18:40:00.005-05:00

As the bride and groom start to consider their options for a save the date card or magnet, a lot of couples will find that they not have a set "theme" for their wedding yet. There are a *lot* of options, and for such cases, there are two simple options I might suggest. One is to incorporate the silhouette/skyline of the city where the wedding will take place. Another is to include the outline of the state where the wedding will take place.

Check out this 3.5x5 inch magnet example. This design incorporates the outline of Cape Cod (the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts). This outline was custom drawn for the project. The green and blue are suggestive of your typical map, and a starfish denotes the wedding location.

Each couple could get their own state on a save the date design. Perhaps a simple outline with a heart at the location. As always, it's up to the couple!

Fireworks + Disney

2011-07-04T16:33:00.004-05:00

A number of young couples get engaged at Disney World, so it is not surprising that a few of them want to reflect that on their save the date cards or magnets.

Have you been to Disney World lately? Apparently there are special 2x3.5 inch tickets called "fast passes" that are specific for one ride.

One of my customers just asked me about making a small save the date magnet that looks like a fast pass. I couldn't replicate it exactly, because I do have minimum font sizes and bleed/safety margins to factor in, but, I did have an idea for her.

Check it out:

The word "wedding" replaces the name of a ride, and how could I resist adding in some fireworks?

This design uses the absolutely smallest text size I could allow on a design.

And there you have is. Small, simple, disney themed save the date. Another design to add into the "ticket" section on the website!

Shapely Invitations

2011-06-29T15:28:00.004-05:00

A new invitation idea has just been added to the website; Invitations with a shaped border. This idea is a layered invitation, where one of the layers is printed with wording. One of the cards is cut in a "shapely" manner.

This invitation idea can be made with a variety of card stock options. Get the bottom layer made out of a metallic, patterned, or textured paper. Because of that variety, pricing can vary quite a bit. A good estimate would be about $3 per set, layered invitation card, response card, and envelopes included.

*Estimated are just an average price range valid only at the time it is written. Due to inflation, pricing goes up over time.

http://www.savethedateoriginals.com/InvitationGallery.php

Lunch Bag Wedding Programs

2011-06-18T21:54:00.016-05:00

Save the Date Originals just got an order for something I had never thought I'd have an order for: lunch bags! That is, lunchbag ceremony programs for a wedding.

I hadn't heard about this before, but a quick search found that Elizabeth Anne Designs had blogged about a couple that did this, right near the end of 2009.

Why lunchbags? Well, if the couple has a church or venue that is okay with them handing out rose petals or rice to be tossed as the newly married couple departs, how are those usually distributed? The couple would probably have a few ushers with lunch bags walking around to allow people to grab the petals. Instead, the couple can just use the lunchbag programs to distribute the send-away petals to each guest. Easy. Simple. Even distribution. Genius.

Note: make sure that your church will allow you to throw petals/rice/glitter before doing it. There is probably a charge to clean up after such things!

Photos of the printed white lunch bags:

The wedding party is on one side, the actual program on the other. Double sided printed lunchbags like the white one would cost about $1-$1.50.

Note: There is a limited printable area- about a half an inch from the left and ride side must be left blank, and also about 2 inches from the bottom.

While I was working on these, I also had a thought. One could also attach a printed card or sticker to the lunchbags!

Check out an example of a metallic printed card attached to a brown lunch bag:

And now, a clear printed sticker attached to a white lunch bag:

Note: I currently offer clear see-through stickers with black ink printing only. White stickers are available with full color printing.

Customers can get printed lunchbags, ceremony program stickers attached to lunch bags or just the stickers alone, ceremony printed cards attached to lunch bags or just the cards alone. White lunchbags. Brown lunchbags. As always, I am flexible and it's your wedding!

There is no ceremony program section on the Save the Date Originals website as up June 2011... look upwards for the "contact" link and then email to talk about a project. Pricing will vary as far as cards and stickers go.

Going Postal, Indeed

2011-06-11T13:16:00.007-05:00

More and more, customers are postage-conscious. I can see why. When I first started my business, it would cost me a lot less to ship orders- postal rates have been going up.

postage rates going upwards is also no wonder, knowing that the US posal service has had some major financial troubles. The main reason for that is, of course, the internet. More people are starting to read online magazines rather than pay for a copy to be mailed. More people are sending birthday greetings via facebook instead of sending a letter.

Whatever the reason, the fact is that postage costs are going up and rules are more likely to be enforced.

A common issue that I warn customers about is that square shaped envelopes will cost more to mail. An envelope can be close to square (such as 5x4.5) and not cost you extra, but a 5x5 inch envelope will.

Something else I just recently found out about: Think of your typical envelope; It is long/tall, maybe 8x3.5 inches. You would address it so that when you look at the address, the envelope is wide and short. (Horizontal). If you turn the envelope so that it is thin and tall, then write the address, it will actually cost more to mail!

Weight is a given- you know that if you go over an ounce, your postage will cost more.

But did you know that if your envelope is thicker than 1/4 inch, you could be charged a package rate? Something for pocketfold invitation buyers to think about.

And your envelope has to be uniformly thick- those bumps from bows could cause trouble.

All in all, brides and grooms definitely need to consider postage as part of the budget. The problem we stationiers have come across more than once is that if you take a complete ready to mail invitation to a post office, have them check it out and give you a price, and then you take it to another post office, the other post office might give a different price. It is coming up fairly often. You never know which workers at which post office are going to enforce which rules.

Hence, the warning that you may need to roll with extra postage. If the postage is indeed more than you were quoted, try another post office. I've read a success story where someone got their postage quote in writing from the post office- and was able to use that later when the postage quote was higher.

When it comes to save the date magnets, well, there are companies selling cheap thin magnets, and there are companies selling thick sturdy magnets. Even thicker small magnets (2x2, 2x3.5, 4x2.5 inch) shouldn't be over an ounce. You can expect to mail smaller sizes with the usual postage. But larger 6.75x3.75 inch magnets are going to cost a little more to mail out in an envelope.

Postcards come up a lot, with couples considering ways to save on postage. After 7 years, I have words of warning.

1) Sometimes the post office will really tear and dent up a post card. I've been surprised by flimsy cards that made it through. I've also been surprised by sturdy cards that got torn, bent, sections scratched up, or otherwise trashed.

2) You have to design the back to meet with their required outline- no crazy fun postcard backs. You also want to design the front so that if the post office puts a sticker or barcode along the bottom, no information will be lost.

3) Consider your privacy. Postcards display everything for anyone along the way to read.

facebook save the date card

2011-04-29T14:22:00.004-05:00

I do enjoy a quirky project; This card definitely falls into the offbeat category.

It's a 6.25x4.25 inch card that is designed to look a bit like a facebook page. There is room for multiple photographs, the wedding date, the couple's name, location. At the top, there is even room for a website url!

If you met on facebook, you are both facebook addicts, or you just think this is hilarious, check out the design's detail page on Save the Date Originals for more info.

Hello Knottie brides!

2011-04-22T23:59:00.006-05:00

Yes, you. You have just created a cute little website for your wedding via the knot.com and now you want to give out a little save the date magnet that includes the url. You know that if you give out a fridge magnet, your guests won't lose the address, and will always have access to information about your Big Day.

But if you want to go with those small 3.5x2 inch magnets, your gigantic website is kind of a problem.

Why? It doesn't look good on a lot of designs. And on many, well, it just isn't going to fit.

This small save the date magnet design is a popular one:

It's simple, it's cute, it's not excessively swirly.

But if someone asks me to modify the design with a knot.com url:

Oh, that's not good. And you really can't go below 9pt font size if you expect your wording to print well and/or be readable.

What I usually do is send a couple to notlong.com to shorten their url. But it's a third party site, and a lot of couples are leery about using a random website.

Well, I just set up my own url shortening service. Instead of notlong.com, you now use... savedat.es! Basically, a shortener creates another shorter url that will automatically send someone right to your website.

Instead of http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/view/co_main.aspx?legacct=1&coupleid=3258368483263242 a couple could have http://savedat.es/mjwedt

That shorter website would works a lot better with most save the date designs:

This shortening service is maintained by Save the Date Originals. I am not going to promise that your short url will work into infinity, but as long as I'm in business, you should be good. I've been in business 7 years and counting- you probably only need your short url for a year or two.

Excuses, excuses.

2011-04-11T19:39:00.003-05:00

I love a good excuse to create promotional materials for my own business. I spend all my time on printed materials for weddings and other businesses- Save the Date Originals could use some love!

318 Designs is hosting a bridal workshop this weekend, and I am sending in some favor magnets. 318 Designs is a Louisiana based event planning company. Check out the website: http://318designsbynicole.com

The favor magnets are 4x2.5 inches and feature a "celebrate life" theme. I'm adding in folded cards with some promotional print. Both card and magnet are going right into the striking blue envelope.

Cards & Magnets

2011-04-07T16:31:00.004-05:00

It's time to mail your save the dates! Will you go with a card, a magnet, or... both?

A lot of my customers struggle between ordering a card or a magnet. Part of the reason is that magnets are more expensive. To fit a decent amount of wording on a magnet, you either need to go with a medium size... or sacrifice a little on the design. If you go with a small magnet, you end up needing a card anyways to mail it out in (smallest mailable size is 5x3.5 inches- this is discussed elsewhere).

A better solution might just be to order both a card and a magnet. Pick out a save the date card that you like, and then add a small 2x2 or 2x3.5 inch magnet. With Save the Date Originals you can change up colors and get a matching design, so it's not like you have to search for a pre-made combination. Make your own.

Check out this example:

This customer chose a photographic save the date card, and then a grape/winery themed small magnet. She had the colors edited to suite (lime green and purple).

Right now, when customers order a printed card from the save the date section plus a small 2x3.5 inch magnet, they also get little envelopes for the magnets (free). That way, customers don't have to worry about the edge of the magnet potentially scratching the card in some way.

It thought the combination came out looking awesome, and I think the customer agrees:

Angie,

I received my save the date cards and magnets yesterday and love them! I am so excited to send them out to everyone. Thank you so much for your help and patience throughout the design process! You have been wonderful.

Thanks again,
Brianna

Full Color Printed Fridge Magnets

2011-03-29T22:32:00.005-05:00

A new magnet size is joining the family... 8x10 inches! With this magnet size, you can fit multiple photographs, or one large art/photo print. This will certainly spruce up a refrigerator! As with every other magnet size... the photos, artwork, wording, colors, are all customizable.

Check out this family photo magnet:

Adorable! This design features 5 nicely sized photographs and the family name.

One could also get a bordered photograph print.

Or, one could skip the border and just get a magnetic 8x10 inch photograph. You have options. These magnets do have a nice glossy finish.

Check out pricing here:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/8x10MagnetInfo.php

But wait, there is more. This also happens to be the perfect magnet size for a calendar of the entire year + a photo or logo. Check out the example below, featuring a Save the Date Originals logo, followed by the 2011 calendar year, followed by a short list of some holidays.

Click on the image for special calendar magnet pricing.

Printed Car Door Magnets

2011-03-18T14:35:00.008-05:00

Save the Date Originals has offered car magnets for several years. I looked at this product again and decided that I could do better! Thicker printed piece. Thicker magnet. Better product.

I introduce the new and improved car magnets: read on.

Below is a 4x4.5 inch example:

Obviously the example above is not business related. It turns out- car magnets are also more appealing, for those who don't want a ragged bumper sticker to deal with some years down the road.

These magnets are made of a laminated card + a nice thick 35 mil magnet. There is a clear laminate border around the card to prevent any rain from seeping in through the side of the magnet. This is important for an outdoor magnet- you don't want your magnet falling apart as soon as the magnet gets rained on.

Get a quality magnet from the get go. Because your business deserves better. Because you will be in business for years to come, and your business car magnets should look good.

Sizes priced out on the website are 8x3.25 inches, 10x4 inches, and 10x8 inches.

Tis the Season...

2011-03-16T21:52:00.005-05:00

You normally think about winter when you read that phrase "tis the season"; But right now, it is the season for spring wedding invitations and autumn save the dates.

Check out this 5x7 inch invitation card:

A new design, it focuses on the "fleur de lis". The printing is all black, but the card stock is a light blue.

In other news, I must declare the "STDC5A" save the date card design to be quite a favorite for those autumn events. These are 5x3.5 inch cards, printed on white card stock.

Save the- Oops! 6 save the date mistakes.

2011-02-05T01:37:00.013-06:00

Hip!nk just wrote an excellent blog entitled "The Top 5 Wedding Invitation Mistakes".

It is well worth reading, and, it got me thinking. Extending that idea to save the dates... what are the most common mistakes I see couples making when they are ordering save the date magnets or cards? After 7 years primarily working with save the dates, there are a few things that come to mind.

Too Many!

When I get a request for 500 save the date magnets, I am not surprised when the number is later revised downward. A couple only needs to send one save the date per household- not to every single individual guest! Additionally, the couple doesn't even have to send one save the date per household. Many couples will send them only to the most distant guests.

Asking for RSVPs

"Can I ask for an RSVP with my save the dates"? The idea is that if a guest knows for sure that they can not attend, and they tell the couple, then the couple saves a little bit by ordering one less invitation to send out. The desire is understandable- but don't go asking an RSVP. Save the dates are just to notify the guest of the date. Save the dates are kind of like an engagement announcement. They are not the invitation. Asking a guest to respond that far in advance is a little too preemptive. The cost savings of a few less invitations is not really worth it. How many of your guests will even know for certain that they can not make it, that far in advance? And if they did... their plans could very well change; Guests who don't think they can attend might find themselves free by the time your invitation arrives.

& Guest

Deciding whether there will be a guest for that invitee so far in advance is also precarious, for both you and your invitee. It is a too early for you to decide with certainly on whether your invitee can have a guest- and how many they can have. Your plans may change as the wedding comes closer and the details come into focus. Your invitee shouldn't even be worrying about who their guest would be so far in advance.

TMI

This far in advance, couples do not need to give guests too much detail. Names & date; Possible a city/state. That is the basic makeup of a save the date. Don't give guests a map from the ceremony to the reception. Couples do not need to give their guests the time that the ceremony starts. The couple does not need to tell guests where the reception is. The guests do not yet need to know whether the children are invited. This is the save the date... not the invitation.

Timing!

Save the dates are fairly easy to deal with in this regard. Couples can send their save the dates, out 3 months before the wedding or over a year before. Save the dates for destination weddings and major events (like Christmas weddings!) should be sent out in the earlier end of the timeframe. In those special cases, it does make more sense to include information like hotel-blocks. However, couples do not want to send out their save the dates too early. When is too early? How can there be a 'too early, when these save the dates can be sent out pretty much whenever? 'Too early' is before the couple has nailed down a contract on the venue! Couples should not send out a save the date for their wedding before a location (and any must-have vendors) is booked for that date. To do otherwise sometimes leads to couples sending out a "change the date".

Small magnets.

Printed refrigerator magnets are fun to to send out as a save the date; Each year, the idea becomes more popular. Small 3.5x2 inch magnets are going to be the most cost effective size. However, they are also less than half the size of the smallest mailable envelope size with the US postal service. These magnets, with mini envelopes, make an excellent addition to a save the date card or packet. But if couples want to mail these magnets out alone, they need to think about getting (or DIY making) a holder to go with the magnet. After so many years, I have to recommend a mid-sized magnet if you are looking for a magnet alone, no card. On the 4.1x2.6 inch and 4x3.5 inch magnet sizes, couples have more space for wording and a nice design... and then they do not need to mess with a holder.

These are some of the issues I see cropping up now and then; If you are newly engaged, I hope they prove helpful! Often, couples will express to me their feeling that they could use some advice when ordering their wedding stationery. I also see the confusion when I look at the google searches that bring people to my main site or blog. It is understandable- those new couples have never had a reason to order so many custom save the dates or invitations.

Event Tickets- Birthday Addition

2011-01-28T18:09:00.001-06:00

I've posted many times now about event & sport ticket save the dates. How about a change... a birthday event ticket invitation! Customizable with any colors or any age, with a personal photograph. (And, well, you could have one made for any event).

Check out this 2.5x6.5 inch event ticket:

Notice something new? It's the envelope. A special long flapped envelope that allows for an extra touch. The envelope itself is also printed with "EVENT TICKET". This wording is also customizable.

The ticket itself could be a card or a magnet.

Q: Will it print out just like I see it on my computer?

2011-01-22T09:11:00.005-06:00

A: Probably not!

You may think that it shouldn't be that difficult to promise exact colors- but it is!

When it comes to online printing services, the translation from what you see on your screen to what you see on the printed piece that arrives at your door is more complicated than you might think.

Professional printers also use a 4 colors to create all of their images (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, and Black). Your computer monitor uses RGB, and colors and be bright indeed on your monitor. Have you every tried printing out your own design, a design with delightfully bright colors, only to find yourself with a printed color that was much duller, washed out, than you wanted? This is because the color you wanted actually isn't actually printable without highly specialized means.

When it comes down to it, if your design has brown and blue colors, your printed piece will too. But maybe the colors will be a little darker than you expected; Maybe the color shade didn't turn out exactly as you envisioned; Maybe the photograph will have more contrast than you saw.

The fact is: There are a lot of different models of computer monitors out there, and each one will have a variety of settings. My own monitor here has not just settings for brightness and contrast, but also for "tone", which will switch it between yellow, blue, and magenta tints.

Flat screens have proliferated because they are really incredibly space efficient, and easy to handle. However... they are just really not good when it comes to proofing images that will be printed.

What can the printer do? We can not come to your home and calibrate your computer. Instead, we can only warn you.

Just about every major online company has the warning- though you may have to dig to find it.

"Overnight Prints does not guarantee color will match the preview as it appears on a customer's monitor, as we cannot compensate for color variance on each customer's monitor."

-Overnight Prints

"Are the colors on my proof exactly like my magnet or card? Because of the different settings on computer monitors, and the difference between computer colors and 4-color printed colors, the colors on your proof are not an exact representation of the colors to be printed on your magnet or card. "

-Magnet Street

95% of a printing company's customers will be happy with their printed design. Printed with quality machines, produced by quality designers, it's not as if the printed design is going to look bad. But... will see the occasional complaint from someone who felt that their photo print was too dark, and that is regrettable; It was someone who fell in love with their photo design as they saw it on a bright monitor.

Take this quote from Theoart at wordpress.com

"When it comes to prints being too dark, usually it is a result of an expectation of prints to appear exactly as they appear on a person’s monitor and not the printer itself. What this means is that the dark prints are really printing the way the image is but the users monitor is making a dark image look brighter. Being in the photo and fine art printing business, this is the one complaint that I hear the most.

This is most common for people using flat panel (LCD) monitors since they tend to emit brighter imagery than a more traditional and bulky computer (CRT) monitor. Laptops can be the worse culprit in all of this. MAC users may also experience this issue due to differences in the Gamma curve."

Is there a real solution to this issue? No.

But, I do have a trick for you. If you calibrate your monitor so that the last 3 dark colors in this band (below) are indistinguishably dark, and the light colors are clearly definable, you will have a better feel for how dark things will print.

It's not surefire- some printing companies will automatically adjust images in various ways to attempt compensating for how they expect most of their customer's computer monitors to be set. They might be adjusting their online proofs... and they might be adjusting the file that they are printing. (You didn't think shutterfly and other photo companies just printed your exact photo file, did you?).

Another tip: Laminated prints do usually look darker than matte prints.

Pearlescent (metallic) magnets

2011-01-19T19:31:00.003-06:00

Most of my customers are looking for a fridge magnet that has a glossy shine; A gloss applied over their printed design. But sometimes, I get a request for a magnet that is instead made of that metallic shimmery paper. This is option.

Check out the save the date magnet on this page:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/details/NWU2.php

You can click on one of the images there for a close up view of that pearly texture.

This option is not available for photographic designs; Only for simple, mostly black ink designs. The photographed magnet in this blog post was made with a champagne/cream card stock, but for a larger quantity order (100+), a customer might be able to pick another color option.

A movie poster save the date

2011-01-14T01:26:00.002-06:00

Sometimes a couple will both be in the acting or movie industry; Sometimes, the couple just loves old movies.

Theater, concert, movie, film strip- all are popular save the date themes.

Check out this large magnet option for a movie poster look-a-like:

Save the Date Video

2011-01-10T14:10:00.002-06:00

You know what would be fun? A short & sweet save the date video.

If you have a lot of friends and family online, this is a new unique way to say "save the date".

Check out this example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkTi8kE0aKA

Couples can get their personalized version of this video for $15. Personalization includes a switch from red to another color, two photographs, and the names/date/etc.

Customers get get the video file emailed to them, or have me post it on youtube for them.

Mailing out small magnets: The evolution of the magnet holder

2011-01-05T08:19:00.001-06:00

Some of the google or yahoo searches that bring people to my website will make me laugh. Yesterday, someone arrived at the small magnet holder page after searching for "is it weird to mail out small magnets".

It is not weird- it is actually fairly common. And there is a good reason for that. Many people love the idea of sending out a magnetic save the date. But, on many budgets, a small 3.5x2 inch magnet is what gets ordered.

These small magnets are a not the easiest thing to mail out, however. Often customers will say "and how much are envelopes for these?"

To which I have no short reply.

I must then explain that the smallest mailable envelope size with USPS is 5x3.5 inches. This envelope size is over twice as large as that small magnet.

If the budget allows, I always recommend the 4x3.5 inch magnets for save the dates. You can mail those right out alone with an envelope. With a regular postage stamp, too.

This magnet size also saves customers from the frustration they sometimes have with trying to fit a decent portion of wording on the magnet, while still getting a good looking design. This magnet size allows for both nice design elements and a decent amount of wording. Customers who want a nicer font can get it, rather than compromising for a more space effective options. And better yet... guests will be able to read the nice cursive text ;-)

The small magnet size is the best option when it will be mailed out with a card, letter, or brochures that have more information for the guests. In that case, customers can easily go with just a photograph, the first names, and the date, for the magnet design. Or instead of a photograph, a calendar. Or instead of either a photograph or a calendar, a cute graphic. Add white or see-through 3.75x2.25 inch envelopes, toss the small magnet in, and there you have an excellent addition to your save the date mailing.

Many customers do go with the small magnets, and many do plan on mailing them out alone. This is what led to my offering the small magnet holders.

If you go looking around the internet, there are a few different types of magnet holders that you might see. Glue dots, double sided tape, photo corners: all have been common DIY methods.

I also once offered a card with four holes punches, and ribbon tied around the magnet and into a bow. I got rid of this option because the bump in the envelope means customers have to go to the post office to get their envelopes hand canceled. Unless you really want to do that... it's a hassle.

My favorite is holder is a card with two angled slits, to hold corners of the magnet. There are some magnet holders available with two half-circles that extend over the longest sides of the magnet... This looks like a good idea, but I tested some out, and, well, one good jolt in the right direction, the magnet goes sliding out. The angled slits hold the magnet more securely in place.

To my surprise, the magnet holders have become so popular, that I will have customers ordering them who didn't even order their magnets from me! They only found me after searching about the internet for magnet holders.

After checking out competing magnet holders, I also decided on going with a thicker card stock. I've seen several companies offering magnet holders that are only 65lb stock. Mine are 80lb cover stock.

I waffled on this decision for a bit; After all, does the holder matter that much? Well, I know that if I went to the trouble to order magnet holders, I'd want them to be reasonably sturdy, not flimsy, and less likely arrive at my guest's homes bent up.

Now, given the small size of the magnet, the limited space for text, and knowing that they would end up getting holders, many customers started asking about whether they could get printing on their holders. Of course they can! A favorite option is to move the website address or "invitation to follow" off the magnet itself, and onto the holder.

Customers have also gone with folded cards, for even more printing space, and sometimes just because they want to include a handwritten note.

And so it is that I now offer blank holders in a variety of colors, holders with printing, and, folded magnet holders.

And so it is that I must offer a bit of explanation for customers when they ask a simple question: "Do you offer envelopes with these?"

Bottom line: If you are mailing the small magnets out alone, you need a holder of some sort. If you are including them in a larger envelope with a letter or card, you could just get nice mini white, colored, or transparent envelopes.

The stork is on it's way

2011-01-02T13:46:00.000-06:00

The stork carrying a sack is just a classic graphic for a baby shower.

Check out the simple, but cute 5x8 inch card design for a baby shower. Pink swirls and pink envelopes mean- you probably guessed- that a girl is on the way.

Graduation Time!

2010-12-28T21:41:00.003-06:00

When you think of graduating students, you probably always envision spring. But there are a number of college students that graduate at the end of the fall semester.

This post is to show off a graduation announcement that is a step above your typical card. This is a 5x3.5 inch black gatefold with a shimmering champagne printed card, complete with a matching champagne seal. The printed design is simple, with the graduating year inside a graduation hat.

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-12T01:06:00.005-06:00

Looking forward to the end of the month and holiday festivities!

The Save the Date Originals 2010 holiday cards are still rolling out. I couldn't decide upon a design this year, and ended up sending out a handful of different cards/magnets/designs.

Much work is to be done on the website over the coming months and year.

Did you know? Shaped cards are now available. Circles, of course, but also ovals, diamonds, sandals, hearts, stars and more. A section with examples will be available at some point in the future.

I hereby vow to have the holiday card section updated with some ideas/examples well before next December.

Newspaper announcement save the date magnets

2010-12-12T01:03:00.006-06:00

This idea came from a customer asking me to scan in her engagement announcement from the local newspaper, and print it on a magnet.

It turned out to look a lot better if I re-typed the wording and had her email me the photograph she wanted to use.

Why not turn that newspaper idea into a save the date magnet?

Below is a photograph of a 2.75x6 inch non-glossy magnet designed to look like a newspaper engagement announcement:

http://savethedateoriginals.com/details/NWU1.php

Winter Cards & Magnets

2010-11-22T19:35:00.009-06:00

Tis the season. If you mail out holiday cards yearly, you will soon be at work addressing them.

This website still does not have a fleshed out holiday section; Nonetheless, each year I turn out a number of holiday, Christmas, winter, and/or New Year themed cards.

Sometimes they are traditional:

Sometimes they are a little more fun:

And sometimes, I find myself working on a number of magnetic projects needed in time for the holidays. Customers are looking for a variety, as usual. Customers might be looking for save the date magnets to include in their Christmas card mailings. Customers might be looking for photographic magnets to send to family.

In some cases, people are just looking for a cute favor to hand out.

Check out this 4x3 inch magnet:

Rarely do I offer non glossy magnets, and this is one such example. While it may be non-glossy, this example is made out of a nice cream metallic paper. This particular magnet can be ordered as few as 5 at a time. Click here to order 10 on etsy.

Whether you are looking for cards or magnets, you definitely want to place an order before the first week of December passes. Now is the time.

Ticket Save the Dates, take 3 (or 4?)

2010-11-20T14:56:00.001-06:00

A new 5.5x2 inch "concert" ticket with a pair of lovebirds:

Yes, ticket look-a-like save the dates are still popular. Sports tickets, movie tickets, concert tickets, you name it. Initially, inquiries for ticket save the dates definitely tended to lean towards a football or baseball theme. But, time has proven that the ticket theme has a wide range!

Check out these new design examples.

A 2x5.5 inch designs:

A 3x8 inch design:

A 8x3 inch design:

And a 4.1x2.6 inch golf scorecard type of design:

Customers have gone for the ticket theme for... birthday cards, thank you cards, actual wedding invitations, shower invitations, and, rehearsal dinner invitations.

Visit the ticket save the date page and click on the design you like for more info and a link to pricing for that design.

http://savethedateoriginals.com/TicketDesigns.php

Save the Date Originals offers custom designs for save the dates... so if you don't see it, feel free to ask about it.

World of Warcraft (WOW) Themed Save the Date

2010-11-14T13:01:00.009-06:00

At long last, a customer emailed to ask where the promised World of Warcraft themed save the date design was. These players will be married next October 2011, and wanted a fun save the date magnet.

The couple went with the small 3.5x2 inch size, which meant keeping the design fairly simple. Their idea was to try to make the design look like one of the Achievements you can get in game after completing certain tasks. In this case, the achievement is "Shackled".

Too fun!

But this design looks like it is for members of the Horde! What about the Alliance?

Check out this version of the save the date theme, for a larger 4.1x2.6 inch magnet:

This is just one idea; No doubt WOW players have other good ones. Feel free to have me (Angela) work on something else for you.

Check out an etsy listing for 25 3x5 inch cards (not magnets) printed with this design:

Car Door Wraps

2010-11-10T18:45:00.005-06:00

When it comes to signage for cars, it's easy to start off with a bumper sticker, then, maybe add a car door magnet.

What next? What is the next step?

How about... a car wrap. This is a special product, one I do not offer.

Sometimes, though, I do provide designs for customers who want to print something themselves, or for a specialty product that will be manufactured by another company.

The example above is actually my own car. I partnered with Fast Signs in Menomenee Falls (WI) to print and apply a wrap to the two side doors.

Why not stick with a car magnet? Two reasons:

1) The side panels of this car are not magnetic.

2) Having the sign crafted and applied to directly to the car really does offer a striking look.

You'll notice that the sign bears a resemblance to my business card:

But it definitely isn't as simple as resizing the graphics used for the business card; They had to be completely remade for the larger size of the car door. You also have to consider the space. It is best to avoid the curlier lettering (as seen on my business card) for a car, where you want things to be easy to read as you roll by someone.

"Save the Date Originals" now has a veritable traveling billboard.

A starry night save the date design

2010-11-05T13:36:00.000-05:00

"Sometimes the stars align... and you know it was meant to be."

This save the date magnet features a light blue for the moon and stars, but this could easily be changed to white, yellow, or something more exotic.

Pac Man and Pac Woman look-a-like save the date mgnets

2010-11-03T12:04:00.000-05:00

Are you a couple that is nostalgic for the popular Pac Man arcade game? Have some fun with a 4x3.5 inch magnet design like this.

The Stewart/Colbert Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear

2010-11-01T22:01:00.000-05:00

Save the Date Originals offered the sane crowd several magnets. A 3.5x2 inch magnet design, a 4.1x2.6 inch design, and even, a car magnet.

This is a good example of the non-wedding related design/printing products STDO will end up working on. In this case, a fun project! The rally goers had a good sense of humor.

These are refrigerator magnets that will surely "stick" around for a while on your fridge to remind rally goers of the day.

On the left: a woman holding this magnet at the Boise satellite rally. On the right: a car magnet.

Get one of the 3.5x2 inch magnets here:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/Sanity.php

The car 8.5x5.5 inch car magnets are no longer available.

Bachelorette!

2010-09-01T14:19:00.002-05:00

A new bachelorette invitation card design has been added to the website. This design is also meant to be printed on white card stock, for a 5x7 inch card. Naturally, this is priced out on the website with white envelopes.

This bachelorette invitation design features zebra print and dancing ladies!

As with everything else on the website, you could add colors to the print, go with a colored card stock, or go with colored envelopes. Any of those changes would up the price, and, you would need to contact me for a new price quote.

Refridgerator magnets? Yes. Wedding invitations? Yes.

2010-08-26T22:31:00.004-05:00

Not for the first time, I recently found myself working on a fun set of magnetic wedding invitations! The couple had gone with traditional printed card wedding invitations, but then had to change their plans. For the second set, they wanted to do something different and fun.

A watery pirate map themed 4x7 inch magnet design:

Save the Date vs Event Invitation

2010-08-24T18:39:00.003-05:00

Save the dates are a newer idea, and after hearing about them, sometimes couples will get confused, and then try to blur the lines between save the dates and invitations.

Save the dates should be completely separate from invitations; You can do without an save the date altogether, but mixing a save the date and an invitation is no good.

Wedding invitations are the formal, official invitation that lays out the event in detail, and asks the guest to respond with whether or not they will attend. Wedding invitations should be sent out 2-3 months in advance.

Save the dates are an informal note that should, for the most part, stick to just the names and date of the couple. Save the dates should be sent out 5-10 months in advance.

On the invitation side:

Even if your wedding invitations will also be informal feel, this doesn't mean that you should send them out without asking for guests to respond in some way, or that you should send them out too far in advance.

Trying to throw a large event without a guest count is likely to lead to trouble with excess guests, or waste, if you prepare for far more than arrive. Make your life easier by getting a rough guest count. You may want to skip response card, but could still easily ask guests to respond via telephone.

Sending your invitations too far in advance has it's own pitfalls. You may think that all of the details are nailed down, but if you haven't signed all of your important contracts (venue!) and hired an officiant, it is not time to send out the invitations.

On the save the date side:

No response should be requested. Asking guests to respond so far in advance, without all of the details of the event, is jumping the gun! Keep these simple- don't include the venue location, or the time of the wedding. For the most part, save the dates are just supposed to be a fun extra.

Naturally, not every wedding and situation is the same, and their will be exceptions.

If your event will be in the middle of a major holiday or local festival, it is a good idea to include this on the save the date- save the dates actually are at their most useful in such cases. And if your save the date is for a destination wedding, it is actually a good to pack in a bit more information about where & when the event will be, and how to get there.

Moment to Moment

2010-08-21T10:34:00.008-05:00

New Jersey couples, newly engaged and planning your wedding? Check out Moment to Moment events.

http://mtmevents.com/

Moment to Moment will work with a variety of budgets, and can plan more than just your wedding (have a fabulous bridal shower or engagement party with their help!).

Check out reviews on their Wedding Wire storefront:
www.weddingwire.com

Baptism Invitations

2010-08-08T15:29:00.000-05:00

A baptism is a special and spiritual event, one to share with family. This post is about a baptism invitation I worked on recently.

We have a simple text-based design in dark navy, printed on a cream linen card stock, with rounded corners. The invitation itself is the popular size for small and economical invitations- 4.25x5.5 inches. To add something special, though, the couple included a 2.6x4.1 inch magnetic favor of their adorable baby boy.

This set is still light enough that it can be mailed out with a regular stamp.

A pocketfolding time

2010-07-24T14:22:00.005-05:00

Over all the years I have been in business, the pocketfold invitation has only increased in popularity. With a variety of layouts, sizes, colors, designs, and more, you can end up with some very unique and customized pocketfold sets.

Purple pocketfolds, white pocketfolds, white, pink, and black; Linen textures, metallic textures, and good old matte.

Get just the pocketfold, just the printed card, or add in rounded corners, return address printing, monogrammed stickers and more.

Pocketfold invitations are usually between $2.50-$5.00

Movie ticket themed wedding invitations

2010-07-10T16:10:00.005-05:00

This post is about a design idea for a 5x7 movie ticket themed invitation set.

Naturally, there are are a lot of ways you could incorporate a movie theme for an invitation- this is just one idea!

This invitation is a white 5x7 inch card printed over with the design. With digital printing, this is actually the only way to get light text and a dark background- completely covering the card in ink.

Two drama faces hide at the sides of the ticket, and the rsvp card matches the invitation.

This project also turns out to be another good example of multi-lingual invitations. In this case, a second set of the invitations is in Spanish.

This particular design idea would also work well with a colored card stock. Below is a photograph of a yellow toned card printed with black ink.

If you wanted to carry the theme even further, you could actually have me cut out the half-circles at the sides of the invitation.

Glass Art Projects

2010-07-08T14:16:00.004-05:00

Glass Art Projects is a company that offers a variety of kits to make works of glass art. Sun catchers, Platters, Necklaces, and more.

Check out their website here:
http://glassartprojects.com/gap-index.html

To get a free suncatcher, visit this page and enter in my blog's url:
http://fireworkstudio.com/promos.html

Postage is about $6.00, and my blog url is "savethedateoriginals.blogspot.com"

A leafy invitation for an autumn wedding

2010-07-01T15:21:00.004-05:00

This invitation set has two neat features.

1) The main 8.5x5.5 inch invitation card is actually two cards attached together. A metallic gold backs up the printed card.

2) An included small magnet with a matching design and a small red envelope.

These invitations predominately feature a red and orange leaf, but the main invitation includes a couple of additional leaves with a little bit of variation in color. This couple wanted to include several colors, but also didn't want the colors to overwhelm the design.

Twilight &True Blood Themed Party

2010-06-16T23:45:00.001-05:00

I have worked on Halloween themed save the date and invitations in the past. They have all incorporated imagery you might expect- such as a haunted house, a pumpkin, a skull, or maybe a ghost.

A party theme that is similar, but more specific, is: Twilight and/ot True Blood vampire themed parties.

One of my recent customers decided to throw a party with this party theme. She found some awesome drink labels here, on HWTM's blog, that incorporate blood splatters.

But she wanted more than drink labels- she wanted favor tags, First Aid Kit labels, and invitations.

The 5.5x4.25 inch invitations were sent out with 5x3.5 inch response cards, and include a quote from Twilight. She will hand out mini first aid kits to guests to symbolize Bella's klutzy nature.

You might have noticed that her themed party was also her birthday party. Turning 30 might suck, but this party won't.

On a sidenote- check out this alternate 4x8 inch invitation design:

There really are a lot of ways to go for invitations designs in this "vein".

Student Driver?

2010-06-08T17:45:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of things you can do with car magnets; Advertising, personalizing, politicizing, and joking. I get the occasional "just married" car door magnet order from bridal parties.

Another idea is: the student driver magnets.

I recommend getting more than one magnet- you can put them on the back, front, and sides of your car. That way, your nervous new driver might get a little more understanding from fellow drivers. If not... at least they were warned.

This photograph features three 8x4 inch magnets with: "BEWARE: student driver".

There is an etsy listing for 3 of these magnets.

Spring cleaning: Baseball Table Numbers

2010-06-03T11:38:00.006-05:00

STDO is getting ready to move locations in a couple of months; This meant that spring cleaning this year had to be very thorough. Consequently, I have run across all manner of save the dates, invitations, and other projects from over the years.

Check out this baseball themed table number:

Being sports illiterate, I do not actually know the who the baseball player in the photograph is. Each of the 20+ numbers featured a different famous player.

This table number is a tall folded card- about 4.5x9 inches tall. The number is printed front and back. To ensure that the card stands up well, a join was added to the bottom. The join also folds, so that these are as much of a pain to store before the event.

Love Birds

2010-06-01T14:50:00.001-05:00

At long last, a save the date with a lovebird theme. This is a demure design with a white background and gray graphics (though you can change that). Two birds sit on a branch.

Movie Ticket Save the Date Cards

2010-05-27T13:08:00.004-05:00

This movie ticket is similar to an older movie ticket design I may have blogged about. The older version was a black ink design printed on a pink card stock.

This new ticket is brighter and bolder. A black and red design printed on a nice sturdy lemon yellow card stock.

These movie ticket save the dates are small, simple and fun. They are 4.25x2.6 inches, and come with white 5x3.5 inch envelopes.

Surprise!

2010-05-25T14:24:00.001-05:00

Surprise birthday party, that is. I have not yet had the opportunity to work on surprise birthday invitations, but thanks to working with a recent customer, I have two 5x7 inch designs to add to the website:

Right now, designs like this are settled into the "Your personal events" section of my website; For everything that is not necessarily wedding related, Christmas related, or baby related. This section includes birthdays and Bat Mitsvahs, moving announcements and First Communion save the dates.

Save the Date Stickers

2010-05-22T19:31:00.006-05:00

Like printed magnets, stickers are another way to "stick" a date of an event in a guest's mind. The idea is that your guest can affix the sticker on a calendar, or in a planner book.

Given that purpose, you wouldn't want to send your guest a gigantic sticker- just something small, with the date.

In this photograph is a good example of a small but effective card and sticker combination for a sweet 16 save the date party. The card is 4.1x2.6 inches, and the sticker is about an inch in diameter. With custom and personalized design services that STDO offers, it is easy to coordinate the card and sticker design.

I would recommend no larger than 2 inches in diameter for a save the date sticker.

New boarding pass save the date card

2010-05-19T20:07:00.003-05:00

Save the date with a fun sea-shell boarding pass!

This new variation on the boarding pass design idea is 3.5x8.5 inches. Printed on a nice thick light blue card stock with black and a darker blue ink colors, this card takes advantage of the colored card stock.

Like the other boarding pass designs, this card comes with rounded corners. This card does not come with a perforated tear off section.

Checking out the boarding pass save the date card section

Vegas theme

2010-05-15T14:21:00.003-05:00

I've been working with a customer on a few different stationery projects for her wedding. She has had some fun ideas. The latest is a playing card look-a-like thank you card.

This is a folded card with the right thematic look, complete with rounded corners. This thank you is an "ace of hearts". Other options are available.

I liked the idea so much that I added an etsy listing for a set of 25:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/47092198/25-folded-playing-card-thank-you-card

Much to be done

2010-05-13T17:14:00.003-05:00

There are still many design sections to flesh out on the STDO website- favor tags, favor magnets, baby announcements, and itinerary cards to name a few.

In the meantime, new designs are still being added here and there.

Check out this new heart shaped tropical save the date magnet:

And, a new event ticket save the date for a 3x7 inch magnet:

Hello Spring!

2010-04-19T11:18:00.000-05:00

Save the Date Originals has a new color scheme. Out with the old and in with the new- and the new is a beige/gold/black scheme. It may not be as bold as the bright blue, but is more welcoming.

Speaking of new, check out these two new photographic save the date magnet designs:

And a new thank you card design:

Better yet- the page that you can use for ordering samples is again up and running.
http://savethedateoriginals.com/Samples.php

Bride's Seminar for Ohio brides

2010-04-18T19:55:00.002-05:00

Are you planning a wedding anywhere near Hilliard, OH? I hope you don't miss the Bride's Seminar on April 25th. This even will be hosted by Party Planners Plus at the Heritage Gold Club.

Includes lunch, Goody Bags filled with wonderful samples and coupons from your favorite WeddingWire Vendors and more.

Learn more here:
http://www.partyplannersplus.vpweb.com/BridesSeminar.html

Chicago Bridal Fair

2010-04-18T19:48:00.003-05:00

Save the Date Originals is sending in some favor magnets to be included in free gift bags at the Bridal Bliss Wedding Expo. This event will take place in Chicago on May 2nd, 2010.

Couples, this event is free- and, parking will be free too. Come, check vendors out and enjoy fabulous giveaways, door prizes, raffles, tastings and valuable information.

Check out the website for more info:
http://bridalblisschicago.doattend.com

Taking care of business(es) part6

2010-03-30T20:01:00.014-05:00

Business spotlight 6: Megan Werve

Megan Werve is a photographer in Jacksonville, NC. She came to me interested in a logo that was a little more unique than the one she already had.

When people ask me, "how much do save the dates cost?", I have no immediate response. There are things I must know - that the customer must decide on- in order to provide an answer. Magnet or card? Size? Envelopes, no envelopes? Type of card stock? Folding? Design?

The same goes for logos. Some clients are looking for a logo that would take me 5 minutes to create. Some clients are looking for a logo that would take me 30 hours to create. Sometimes people just don't know what they want- leading to multiples of versions, multiple rough sketches. Multiple versions mean = more time = more money.

Megan is a great example of someone who already had an idea of what she wanted her logo to look like. She already had a good logo that she liked, and just wanted something a little more unique. A short bit of custom drawing and she had her new logo.

Original logo:

New logo:

Check out Megan's work here on her blog.

Taking care of business(es) part5

2010-03-23T17:29:00.000-05:00

Business spotlight 5: The Crafty Cat

The Crafty Cat is Jessica Washington, located in Colorado.

Have you ever known someone that is constantly producing beautiful hand crafted items? Jessica is one of those people.

From cards to crochet; Check out Jessica's etsy shop, or her blog.

Jessica wanted business cards and magnets that matched with her website(s). She had picked out a delightful graphic from shabbyblogs for her website(s). The design includes pink and green, damask and swirls.

Having websites and stationery that match leads to a professional feel, not to be underestimated. This meant that for her business cards, something with pink and green, damask and swirls was in order.

Her business card and business magnet:

It's clear: fun with see-through stickers

2010-03-19T18:32:00.010-05:00

A variety of clear sticker sizes are actually available here at Save the Date Originals. Some circular sizes can only be ordered at a larger quantity (100+). But small rectangular or square see-through stickers are available in many custom sizes at fairly low quantities.

From address labels to envelope seals, logos to monograms, clear stickers are fun. Apply them to cards, envelopes, boxes, candles... you name it.

With clear see through stickers like these, your best option is actually just to go with a black-ink design. Because the background will be see-through, let your paper provide background color.

If you do want to go with a color print on your sticker, just keep in mind that you will want to apply the sticker to a white or light paper/surface. Why? White/light ink colors are actually not available. If you get yellow printed on your see-through sticker, it will be very hard to see when the sticker is applied to a dark background!

Change the Date 2

2010-03-18T17:06:00.001-05:00

I have posted about "change the date" cards before; Below is another example, a modified design from the website printed on a postcard.

Every once in a while, people have to change their date after sending out their save the dates. Things happen, plans change.

Military couple's especially are often faced with an unexpected wrench in their plans, as was this particular couple. Thank you to couples like this and the sacrifices they make!

Not just for weddings

2010-03-17T17:23:00.001-05:00

The save the date projects I end up working on are almost always for weddings. But not always. I have created save the dates for anniveraries, bat mitzvahs, first communions, birthdays, and... reunions.

Check out this classy family reunion magnet:

A simple elegant design, in combination with a nice blue envelope, makes for a date to remember.

Extra informational cards

2010-03-16T17:19:00.004-05:00

A nice save the date design often doesn't leave room for a block of text (like hotel information).

There are a few ways to go about adding more hefty information. One way might be to go with a folded card, printed on the front with a nice color design, and on the inside with a more down-to-business block of information.

Another way is to include an extra little card. This is the best option for those sending out a save the date magnet; Getting a small inexpensive card to include in the envelope.

Check out the example below. A fun 4.1x2.6 inch save the date magnet, a 5x3.5 inch envelope, and a small card with more information.

Endless possibilities

2010-02-18T16:10:00.003-06:00

As always, new designs are being added to the STDO website. It is impossible to run out of new design ideas and layouts, especially when many of my customers will have their own vision for their design.

Check out this new 4x3.5 inch save the date magnet design:

This would be a simple black and white design, if not for the energetic bright pink swirls in two corners.

Envelopes

2010-02-07T13:49:00.004-06:00

Another small portion of the recent website updates is: an updated and expanded list of envelopes.

A wide variety of envelopes are actually available, but were not well represented on the website.

White envelopes, colored envelopes, lined envelopes, textured envelopes, and translucent envelopes are all available.

http://savethedateoriginals.com/WhiteEnvelopes.php

Not all envelope sizes are yet listed. The colored envelope section focuses on the envelope size that goes with the popular 5.5x4.25 inch cards and magnets. This card size is popular for just about any personal event- save the dates, thank yous, showers, holiday cards, and more. Now customers can pick and choose from a number of envelope colors to accent their cards or magnets.

Also, check out the printed envelope section:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/PrintedEnvelopes.php

Skip the return address stickers and get that address printed on your envelope. Business? Get your logo printed. Sending wedding thank you cards? Get your monogram printed.

Magnetic Wedding Invitations?

2010-01-30T21:02:00.005-06:00

Yes, wedding invitations that are a refrigerator magnets. It is not yet something that is requested often, but, there have been a few couples that have opted to go with a magnetic wedding invitation.

When considering doing this, you do want to pick a larger magnet size. At the smallest, a 4.25x5.5 magnet. A 4x7 inch magnet is just about perfect- plenty of room for a nice design that can still accommodate all of the wording you would expect on an invitation.

If you decide to go with a magnetic invitation, you might send the invitation out with a simple card stock response card, or even just ask your guests to rsvp via telephone.

Every couple has their own way of planning their wedding, and has their own spin on each element. Invitations are one of the ways that couples get to really have fun mixing things up. This is one more new idea that you may see more often in the future.

Check out this 4.25x5.5 inch magnet a couple recently ordered for their event:

Website updates continue

2010-01-27T12:35:00.005-06:00

Over January, the STDO website has seen few changes.

Some pages have yet to be updated, and because of this, the design-submission and sample-request forms are still disabled. These features will probably be back mid February. Customers who email me directly will answered. Remember that it can take 4 full days to receive a response.

The major change to the website during this round of updates is: the Cards section. The cards section used to be divided up into cards by size & type (flat, folded, postcard...). Now, this section is being converted to list cards by design/event.

For example, check out the new save the date card section:
http://savethedateoriginals.com/SaveTheDateCards.php

From that page, you can find designs for a variety of card sizes and types, all centered on the "save the date" idea.

The sticker section has also seen some changes.

New sections: ticket designs, custom maps, envelopes, photographic designs...

New sections still in progress: Thank you cards, baby celebration, holiday cards, favor tags, boarding passes, and more.

Pages that still need to be converted and updated: details (Q&A), wedding invitations, and more.

Firsts

2010-01-05T17:41:00.002-06:00

Firsts are always exciting, such as your child's very first birthday. Sometimes it is just too fun to send out bright colorful invitations to celebrate the event.

Check out this example of a 5x7 inch carnival themed birthday invitation.

Magnet holders

2009-12-29T17:15:00.003-06:00

Revisiting magnet holders with this post.

This is one of the sections on the website that is being worked on right now. Pricing is now available for more card stock colors- such as cream, yellow, and red. Even better, pricing is now a little lower.

These magnet holders are 5.5x4.25 inch cards. There are two slits, positioned to hold small magnets. Small magnets are 3.5x2 inches- the typical size of a business card.

Visit the magnet holder page to learn more

*Pricing for folded magnet holders is not available yet, as of December 30th, only flat blank and flat printed.*

These holders were developed primarily because the smallest envelope size that you can mail out is over twice as big as the small magnet size. This is why that product is priced out with envelopes- it's expected that you are getting them so that you can mail out your magnet.

Other magnet sizes, such as the 5.5x4.25 and 4x3.5 inch magnet sizes, are the perfect size to mail out on there own, closely matching a common mailable envelope size.

The 4.1x2.6 and 2x5.5 inch magnets do not closely match an envelope size, but customers usually mail them on out in envelopes that are just a bit larger. On the other hand, sometimes a customer just does not want their 2x5.5 inch magnet bouncing around in a 3.5x6 inch envelope. Slitted cards are actually available for these magnet sizes- but they definitely cost more.

Check out this example of a printed 3.7x8.5 inch slitted card for the 2x5.5 inch magnet size:

If you are interested in a magnet holder for another magnet size, let me know what card stock you would like to go with, what magnet size you need it for, and, whether you want any printing on the card.

Important note for December and January

2009-11-30T10:13:00.006-06:00

Orders of 4x3.5 inch magnets that are placed during the first week and a half of January, will have an additional week added to their production time.

Orders of all other custom printed products will have an additional 1.5-2 weeks added to the production time if the order is placed during the last week and a half of December. If the order is placed during the first week of January, there will only be 1 additional week.

Orders of some blank products- such as most card magnet holders and/or envelopes, will have an added 1-1.5 weeks when placed 2 days prior to the end of December, or, during the first week of January.

Typical production times, for almost any product, are about two weeks.

As always, for custom printed products, a design must be finalized via email prior to placing an order. Emails will be answered as usual until January. During the first week and a half of January, response times to emails will be notably delayed.

What does all this mean for your order?

If you would like to receive your order of a custom printed product near the end of December and/or beginning of January, you should place your order by December 15th. Otherwise, you may not receive your order until near the mid-to-late January.

The exception is 4x3.5 inch magnets. Delivery times will only be affected for these magnet orders when they are placed during the first week and a half of January.

Playing Card Invitations

2009-11-20T13:23:00.000-06:00

Something I'm seeing more of: invitations for weddings, and other parties, that incorporate a playing card theme.

With a design that might remind you of a playing card, these invitations might work for couples getting married in a Casino, in Vegas, or who like to gamble, or for those fun pre-wedding parties.

The two featured invitations are both examples of how this can be done with a simple, cost effective design. Both are made of white card stock, and have rounded corners.

Tis the season

2009-11-17T09:28:00.007-06:00

To order Christmas cards, season's greetings, and save the date magnets to send out with your holiday mailings.

I recommend that customers place their no later than December 3rd.

This means that customers should get started on their design with me no later than by November 25th.

As always, you can get custom and personalized designs, with or without photographs, for magnets, cards, postcards, and more.

If you are ordering 5.5x4.25 inch magnets, flat cards, or folded cards, switch from white envelopes to blue envelopes for no additional cost. (For those orders placed prior to December 1st).

http://savethedateoriginals.com/Winter.php

Taking care of business(es) part3

2009-10-31T16:04:00.000-05:00

Business spotlight 3: K.C.Frick photography.

Kelly is a journalistic photographer in the Saint Augustine, Fl area, specializing in engagements/couples, families/children and small weddings.

I've worked with Kelly a few times now on various projects. One of the products she orders is not even advertised on the website- printed CD covers.

Check here out at her website: http://www.kcfrickphotography.com/

Taking care of business(es) part2

2009-10-29T21:04:00.001-05:00

Business spotlight 2: Defense Works.

STDO offers a variety of design services. From logos to website banners, from brochures to signs, from business cards to... e-book covers.

Wesley Manko is a Certified Systema Instructor. Through his business, Defense Works, he offers seminars, classes, and e-books.

Visit his website http://defenseworks.us/ for a free Campus safety report download, or check out his Practical Self-Defense Strategies for Women.

Taking care of business(es) part1

2009-10-27T20:49:00.006-05:00

It's inevitable that a graphic designer ends up delving into a variety of projects. While STDO does tend to focus on weddings, I am also available for commercial work.

Spotlight 1: http://www.ourbeautifulbirth.com/

Beautiful Beginnings is run by Tracy P. She offers natural childbirth education and certified Bradley doula services for Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Tracy had a great idea for her logo, two large hearts and a smaller heart inside the mother heart.

If you live in Florida and are looking for an experienced doula, check out Tracy's website.

The October Sale

2009-10-15T15:12:00.005-05:00

October's deal of the month is a set of:

1) A white 5.5x4.25 inch card with a polka dot strip
2) A white envelope
3) A printed sticker to match the polka dot strip

The wording and font can be changed to accommodate any event, along with the strip's color.

This offer will be available until October 31st.

Folded Birthday Cards

2009-10-05T15:52:00.005-05:00

For this project, one of my customers had a fun idea.

Have you ever heard of the Shel Silverstein? Among other things, he wrote Children books, such as "Where the Sidewalk Ends".

For my customer's son's birthday, she wanted a custom birthday card that was unique. The first part of her idea was to put a poem on the front of the card. The front of the card is simple, set up the same way a "Shel Silverstein" book might be.

A nice simple design... But that isn't all! The inside is a riot of colorful balloons with the birthday message:

Check out what this customer has to say about her order:

"Ordering custom invitations from STDO was the best decision I've made in planning my son's birthday party. Angela was able to provide several proofs for my ideas almost immediately, and was very responsive to requests to change or tweak details of the design. Her communication with me during the process was prompt and informative, and above all, I am absolutely delighted with the quality of the finished product. I have gotten many compliments on them and will definitely be a repeat customer. Thank you, Angela!"

Save the Date: With Humor

2009-10-05T11:18:00.000-05:00

Humorous and funny save the dates are always appreciated guests.

Check out this 4.1x2.6 inch design that features toilets. Yes, toilets.

This size is available as either a magnet or a card

Photostrip save the dates

2009-10-01T13:03:00.001-05:00

One of the fun ideas that floats around for wedding save the dates is:

A strip of photographs. It reminds couples of when they hopped into a photo booth and made faces at the camera- goofing around and having fun.

Often people will want to hold up signs with "save" "the" "date" for their photographs. Sometimes this works well, but sometimes, I recommend that the couple have to re-write the words so that they come through nice and clear.

There are a couple of magnet sizes that kind of work for this idea: 2x5.5 and 2x8 inches.

There is a card size that works even better with this idea though- 2.75x8 inches. There is enough room for a nice border around the photographs and some wording in a fun font.

Minimum order quantity for this card size: 75.

Click here to visit the information page for this card size.

This size is not available as a magnet.

Check out what this customer had to say about her order:

"Hi Angie. I received the save the dates a couple of days ago. They are perfect! Thanks for all of your help!"

Save the Date: The equation

2009-09-27T11:56:00.000-05:00

Below is a wedding save the date design that features... what looks like a math equation.

Quirky, fun, and for the math nerds who are getting hitched.

Even if your guests have not suffered through a math or physics class lately, they will get the gist of what it going on.

This is designed for a 2x5.5 inch magnet or card.

A fun thank you card set

2009-09-24T15:30:00.002-05:00

This is an example of a thank you card. This is folded card, made of white card stock. The butterfly graphic is in a lighter green, as is the name down near the bottom left.

You you can see, this card with combined with green envelopes. While colored envelopes are a little more expensive, they really made a your thank you card stand out from regular mail.

Save the Date: Gamers.

2009-09-20T14:06:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, when one geek meets another geek...

There is one small save the date magnet design on the STDO website that pays homage to the gamer spirit:

This small magnet design (MH33) features gaming dice. A fun change of wording that one couple went with was: "We failed our love save".

Check out this new wedding save the date, designed to look somewhat like a "Magic: the gathering" card.

A fun design that incorporates a photograph of the couple.

This design is for a 2.6x4.1 inch magnet or card, rather than a small magnet.

Send in your suggestions for geeky, nerdy, or fun save the dates!

A WOW (world of warcraft) design may show up in the future. For the alliance!

You might also be interested in this design:

Click here to learn more about this design.

Nice bridal shower invitation

2009-09-15T15:55:00.002-05:00

This bridal shower invitation is the newest addition to the "simple cards" section. This section focuses on black ink only designs. The example below is this design printed on a raspberry colored card stock.

The wording could of course be modified to reflect a save the date, birthday, or other type of invitation.

September's Sale

2009-09-13T19:23:00.003-05:00

September's sale is this 4x3.5 inch save the date magnet design:

http://savethedateoriginals.com/SeptemberSteal.html

Poker Chip Cards

2009-09-11T11:17:00.000-05:00

A customer of mine, who is getting married in Las Vegas, had the idea to make their save the date announcement look somewhat like a poker chip. This meant we would surely need something circular.

Available are circular cards or circular magnets, 4 inches in diameter. The minimum order of magnets is 100; The minimum for cards is 20.

Check out her design:

If you went with a card instead of a magnet, you would have a white back, with a printed front.

This design idea can easily be modified a bit for another wedding related event- such as a bachelor party- or just a personal casino themed party invitation.

If mailing these out alone, you would probably want to go with a 5.7x4.35 inch envelope. It's a common size, and thus less expensive than other envelope sizes.

Keeping it Simple

2009-09-09T09:05:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, a person just wants something simple and elegant.

Below is an example of a personalized note card. This is a pale pink folded card, with a last name printed on the front in black ink. Approximately 5.5x4.25 inches.

This card is good for a variety of purposes- a handwritten save the date, a handwritten thank you, and other personal correspondence.

Going with a pale pink instead of white says "hey, something a little different here" without detracting from the elegant font style.

Boarding Pass Save the Dates

2009-09-06T15:16:00.001-05:00

In a follow up to an earlier post with an example of a boarding pass, here is another example boarding pass save the date for you to take a look at. This new version of the design is longer, and features an airplane instead of a cruise boat.

This example is printed on white card stock, and is about 4x8.5 inches. This boarding pass also features the rounded corners, and the actual tear off section. Instead of orange and pink, this time we have yellow and blue as the main colors.

As usual, if you are interested in this boarding pass idea, but want to work out an alternate design with me, shoot me an email. See contact page.

Addendum: I have been asked whether this boarding pass save the date design could be printed on a magnet. The answer: A similar design could be created for a 4x7 inch magnet. This magnet size has rounded corners, but note that a magnet will not have a tear off section.

Save the Date Sports Ticket Design

2009-09-01T06:24:00.005-05:00

...post the third. People have so much fun with the sports ticket look-a-like save the dates, that it warrants yet another post.

Click here to read an earlier more detailed post on this subject.

This post is just to show off a slightly altered version of this design idea. This time, instead of a 2x5.5 inch design, we have a 4.1x2.6 inch design. This design features a clash of teams!

This new size is also available as either a magnet or a card, and costs the same as a 2x5.5 inch magnet or card. The best envelope size for these is 3.5x5 inches.

For the love of the pocketfold

2009-08-27T09:45:00.001-05:00

Having run a wedding stationery business for the last several years, there is something I've noticed about pocketfold invitations.

Many couples love them. And, many couples are also surprised at how much they cost after inquiring about them.

Why do they cost so much more than other invitations?

Consider your basic invitation. A flat 5x7 inch card, with an additional rsvp card. This combination can be done in less than $1 if you go with a fairly simple design. A "simple design" might be white card stock, a small graphic (like hearts, or a fleur-de-lis), and your wording/text.

In contrast, a pocketfold invitation...
1) You add the pocketfold itself, which immediately hikes up the price a quite a bit.
2) You don't just have the invitation and the rsvp cards anymore- typically, 2 more cards are added, as shown below.
3) The invitation also now requires assembly- attaching the main card to the pocketfold.

So now you have an invitation with 2 additional cards, folding, a pocket, and layered assembly.

That isn't all.

4) Often, people love the look of an additional layer behind the main invitation card. This can be any sort of patterned or textured paper, or just a solid color.
5) People also then will often go with some sort of sticker to hold the pocketfold closed. The sticker itself varies in size, shape, type (white matte, white gloss, or see-through), and printed design.

Is that all? Not really! By the time you go through all the possible options in the color and texture of pocketfold, color and texture of the envelopes, color and texture of the inserts, and, all the possible variation of the actual printed design... you are looking at highly personalized and unique wedding invitations. You can end up with many beautiful but costly combinations.

When people ask for quotes, it often does take a few questions to figure out their likely combination. Of course, quantity also factors in- these invitations, like any other, cost less per piece at higher quantities than at lower quantities.

If you are considering pocketfold invitations, know that they will typically cost 2.5-4 times as much as a simple 2 card invitation set.

Sometimes, my customers try to do some of the work themselves to reduce cost. This might be buying just the design print files from me. They might buy only the cards/inserts, and making their own pocketfolds. Instead, they might buy the pocketfold and make their own inserts. They might even buy the whole set from me, but attach the main invitation card to the pocketfold themselves.

A good way to reduce the cold of your pocketfold, if you are ordering the whole set, is just to go with a simple text design, and white card stock for the cards. You end up with a classic look, the uniqueness of the pocketfold, and less printing costs.

Silver Bordered Menues

2009-08-24T13:19:00.001-05:00

A customer was recently referred to me, who already had her program design in mind. She wanted a tea-length card with some sort of silver border.

It's always nice to work with customers who know just what they want. To the left is her design.

Metallic borders are invariably eye catching. I also don't really advertise any products with metallic inks or borders on the website.

Achieving a metallic print does actually require a specialized process. In the future, I will probably offer some products with metallic borders, but will not offer personalized wording and/or graphics in metallics.

Rose themed invitations- with a tear off rsvp card

2009-08-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

This invitation is not your typical 5x7 inch flat card.

A customer of mine had this idea after looking at an earlier post regarding a couple of trifold invitations I had worked on.

This is a tri-folding card that measures 5x5 inches when folded. The right panel is about 3.5x5 inches, the perfect size for an rsvp card. With a perforated fold, your guests can tear this off and mail you your rsvp card in the accompanying rsvp envelopes. White 5.25x5.25 inch envelopes accompany the invitations.

Notes: This example is made of white card stock, and includes white envelopes. Shown sealed with a 1 inch circular sticker.

Don't forget though, that square envelopes cost a little more to mail out with the USPS post office than rectangular envelopes do. The rsvp card is not square, but the folded invitation is.

New designs

2009-08-13T12:14:00.010-05:00

The best part of offering custom design work and personalization- continually discovering new design layouts, be they fun, elegant, colorful, or classic.

New designs are added every now and again; Check out these featured new designs in 4 magnet sections:

Small save the date magnet:

"Silhouette" (MH65)

Large save the date magnet:

"Concert" (StD80)

4x3.5 inch save the date magnets:

"Dawn" (MR32)

4.1x2.6 inch save the date magnets:

"Autumn" (MS37)

There are only about 2 weeks left to get free sample magnets to check out my most popular sizes. To do so, visit this page.

Small Additions

2009-08-06T03:51:00.004-05:00

In addition to the "share this website on facebook", additional links to share the website on myspace and twitter are now available on the front page of www.savethedateoriginals.com

In the works: functionality to send an email to yourself or a friend straight from the STDO website while you are looking at a design/webpage. This will eliminate the need to go to another website, and login to your email account, before sending your message.

Feel free to suggest more features that you would like to see added.

Last Summer Sale

2009-08-04T19:14:00.002-05:00

The last summer sale is posted here.

This sale is: $10 off heart shaped magnets.

These fun heart shaped magnets could be used for thank you and/or favor magnets. These magnets could be used for wedding and other event save the dates. They could be used for businesses as advertisements.

As with all products, most custom design work is included in this pricing. You decide on colors, wording, fonts, photographs, and themes. Proofs of designs are emailed prior to your placing an order. If you would like to get me started on a custom design for you, contact me.

The trifold wedding invitation

2009-07-09T20:51:00.013-05:00

An invitation set-up I have not yet posted about: trifolds.

The most popular invitation set up is a flat 5x7 inch card, with an smaller rsvp card, and extra then sometimes more cards to include maps, directions, reception information, and more.

In the case of a trifold invitation, you can have some of this extra information -maps, directions, and such- printed on the fold(s), though of course the rsvp card is still separate. Below are two examples.

The first example is a card that is about 5x10 inches when unfolded, 5x7 when folded. The main panel is 5x7 inches, with two panels on each side that are approximately 2.5x7 inches. A barn door photograph is printed on the outside of the invitation.

The second example is a card that is also about 5x10 inches when unfolded, 5x7 inches when folded. The main panel is also 5x7 inches. In this case, however, you have a 1.5x7 inch fold on the left, and a 3.5x7 inch panel on the right. The outside is printed with stripes and stylized flowers. This example is made of cream card stock.

Trifold invitations need to be held closed. The easiest way to do that is just to use a small sticker. You can of course use various sizes of stickers. You could also work on a DIY project, closing the invitations with ribbons or bows or whatever else you could think of.

As with all invitations, if you have me design a tri-fold invitation for you, you can change things up a bit. The customer who ordered the barn door invitations went with brown envelopes, for example, instead of white envelopes. Different card stock colors... different designs... different fonts... different colors...

Trifold invitations will cost you more than flat, non-folding invitations. They would cost less than a pocketfold, however, and certainly cost less to mail out than a pocketfold invitation would.

Save the Date tickets

2009-06-07T19:52:00.010-05:00

Tickets look-a-likes are a popular idea for wedding save the dates. One ticket design in particular that people enjoy- sports like designs.

In an earlier post about a sports ticket save the date, I featured a 2.5x6.25 inch ticket that someone had me design. This particular ticket was made out of a skinnier flyer type paper. Since then, it's been more popular to get the ticket design printed on a thicker card or even a magnet, both of which are more cost effective at the smaller 2x5.5 inch size. With wedding save the dates, people often want to stick to simple short lines of text, so this smaller size works. People who want a similar design for something else- like a rehearsal dinner invitation- need to go with a bit of a larger card (2.75x8.5 is a good size),

As with all designs on the website, customers can ask for customization; Photograph, no photograph, wording, colors, etc. One thing that usually needs to stay the same, though, is the font style. There are only a small number of fonts that will work in the small available space.

Here are a couple of design examples on the website:

Whether going with a 2x5.5 inch magnet or card, if customers want to mail the save the date ticket out alone, I recommend the 3.5x6 inch envelope size. I do offer white envelopes of that size.

Visit my website: save the date originals