Not sure where to begin when starting your journey for the perfect wedding invitations?
Let’s take a look at the benefits and limitations of each method below.
Digital printing or Flat printing
Digital printing is the most versatile and affordable print method, which makes it my primary go to method. With endless color options, and luxurious papers (think: cotton, handmade paper, bamboo, and felt) As the most affordable print method available, digital printing is also a popular choice for budget-conscious brides looking to have beautiful wedding invitations without the cost of fine printing.
Benefits
Can print complicated artwork, such as full color watercolor images
Cost-effective
Faster turn-around
Limitations
All printing is done on white or off-white paperIs not offered on extremely thick paper
Cannot look like foil, any metallic "printing" needs to be thermally applied. While I do offer digital printing for handmade paper, I do not recommend it for most projects.
Digital and handmade paper is a good option if you are using full color. The cost for printing vs letterpress on handmade is very close, the investment on letterpress is worth every penny.
Letterpress
Letterpress printing is an ancient printing method. Instead of paper being put through a printer, solid colors of ink are applied to plates that have been engraved with the design. The plates are then pressed into the paper, leaving a deep impression of ink. It feels and looks gorgeous! Letterpress is generally limited to between one and three solid colors. Because the printing involves antique machinery, skilled craftsmanship, and is done completely by hand, one at a time, letterpress is considered a luxury printing method.
Benefits
A wider range of paper is available, from handmade to dark colors.
A gorgeous imprint is created in the paper creating instant elegance
Limitations
Artwork and text is generally limited to 1-3 colors (1 color included, additional colors are an additional fee)
More expensive than digital
Longer turn-around time
Foil stamping
Foil stamping is a fine print method where a metallic foil is used on a design plate and then pressed (using a lot of force!) into paper so that the foil transfers onto the paper and leaves a slight indentation of the design. Foil stamping is remarkably similar to letterpress in the process, except that in letterpress an ink is used on the design plate, whereas with foil stamping, foil film sheets are used. The foil film sheets are what give foil stamping the distinct metallic shine - there is simply no other way to achieve a high-shine gold without true foil stamping.
Benefits
The only way to achieve high-shine gold or metallics
A wider range of paper is available, from handmade to dark colors.
A gorgeous imprint is created in the paper creating instant elegance
Limitations
Artwork and text is generally limited to 1 color
More expensive than digital and letterpress
Only used for spot texts, so digital or letterpress still needs to be used
Longer turn-around time