DIY Wedding Invitations: Benefits and Printing Tips

While hand-calligraphed save-the-dates and letterpress wedding invitations are undeniably elegant, they have one key drawback: These custom paper elements are undeniably expensive. We'll never say that outsourcing your big-day paper to a professional isn't worth it; choose an expert who knows what he or she is doing and your investment will pay off in spades. That being said, a budget is a budget—and if you're searching for ways to cut costs (and potentially make room for wedding details you consider top priority, like an open bar or a live band), forgoing the professional stationery route might be one of them. That's where DIY wedding invitations come in.

Meet the Expert

• Kate Weber is the owner and designer of West + Pine, an Etsy stationery shop.
• Lia Griffith is crafter, designer, and DIY lifestyle expert.
• Amy Gonzales is a designer at Smitten on Paper, a company that offers wedding and holiday stationery, as well as other paper goods.
• Christine Logan is a design consultant and owner of Logie Paperie; she has been designing wedding invitation suites for 20 years.
  

Printing your own wedding invitations at home is a budget-friendly alternative for couples who aren’t afraid of a little DIY work. Not sure where to start? You've come to the right place: Here, our experts walk you through the benefits of handling this pre-wedding task (which is often a breeze, since so many downloadable templates are available for minimal costs online!), what you need to know before you get started, and key printing tips (most of which involve choosing the correct paper and alignment).

DIY Wedding Invitation Benefits

There are plenty of talented stationers and graphic designers who will deliver downloadable files that can be customized and printed at home. For a fraction of the cost of a custom invitation suite and printing services, you can get a semi-custom invitation that will match your wedding's style and theme. "Cost is definitely the biggest benefit," says Kate Weber, owner and designer of West + Pine, a paper company focused on designing invitation templates for weddings and other special events. "This way you're not having to pay someone else to do the printing service."

According to Weber, printing your own invitations from a downloadable template gives you the option of finding an invitation design that suits your style, customizing it to fit your specific wedding information, and then quickly printing invitations on your own and shipping them off. "You could easily do it in an afternoon with the right planning," she says.

If this sounds like something you can handle, we've put together a guide to help you navigate the DIY wedding invitation route. Read on for 13 steps to consider, along with tips and tricks from the pros.

Should You Print Your Own Wedding Invitations?

From color schemes to catering, it seems like there are a million choices to make when you’re planning a wedding. But one of the earliest decisions you and your partner must make is whether or not to design and print your own wedding invitations. 

Many couples go the DIY route because it’s cost-effective. However, DIY can also be time-consuming and limit your paper and printing options. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of printing your own wedding invitations, so you can make an informed decision. 

The Pros and Cons of DIY Wedding Invitations

Pros: 

Cost-Effective

It is typically cheaper to print your own wedding invitations than to choose a company that designs and prints your invites for you. But that doesn’t mean DIY printing is cheap. You still need to invest in ink, paper, envelopes, custom inserts, etc. And not all printers can handle printing on cardstock, so you may also need to invest in a new machine. 

Customization

When you order wedding invitations online, it can be difficult to find a pre-made design or template that fits your exact vision. Designing and printing your own invitations gives you the freedom to create the invites of your dreams. You and your partner get to choose the colors, fonts, wording, and add any other elements you want to make the invitation as elegant or quirky as you wish. 

Cons:

Limited Printing Options

One major drawback of DIY wedding invitations is that it limits your options when it comes to paper and print effects like embossing. Print shops stock high-quality materials and have a wider range of stock to choose from, especially compared to what will work with a home printer. And you won’t be able to achieve unique options like embossed or metallic lettering at home, either.

Time-Consuming

Printing your own wedding invitations can be extremely time-consuming, and you’re already busy enough. First, you’ll need to research the right type of paper, ink, and tools you’ll need to achieve your vision. You will also need to purchase extra supplies to account for any mistakes that happen or changes you decide to make. So printing your own invitations may not be the right choice if you’re on a tight deadline or budget.

Where to Print Your Wedding Invitations

There are many benefits to designing your own wedding invitations, but that doesn’t mean you have to also print them at home. Working with a local print shop can offer you the best of both worlds. 

You can still design your own invitations, but you can leave the printing up to professionals so they turn out exactly the way you want them. Plus, print shops have more options, so you can choose the perfect size and paper type to make your invitations memorable.

Remember to Plan Ahead

Whether you choose to print your own invitations or work with a print shop, it’s important to plan far ahead. Traditionally, wedding invitations are sent out six to eight weeks before the wedding. But don’t wait until that deadline to start printing your invitations! 

You should always order products from a print shop with plenty of time to spare, just in case there are any issues with the supply chain. And even if you choose to print at home, you should get started as soon as possible, in case there are any hiccups that set you back.   

Wedding Stationery Printing in Tempe, Arizona

Mousegraphics is your one-stop shop for wedding stationery. We can print everything you need for your special day, including wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, and dinner menus. 

We’ll help you select the perfect paper options to make your stationery as magical as your wedding day. Give us a call at 480-470-7438 today to discuss our printing services. 

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (3/17/2023). Photo by Mockaroon on Unsplash