No, this is not a tutorial for MS Word but a review on how to design a REAL invitation. Not just graphic design but taking it back to the ol skool and selecting paperstock, materials and binding processes. The type of invitation sent for a corporate event or wedding.
First step: NO boundaries.
An invite doesn’t have to be a single piece of card in fact that’s probably the most boring type of invite and to make sure you don’t do it you have to realise that there are no boundaries. Look for inspiration all around you.
A book cover, DVD case, CD cover, booklets, flyers, folders, envelopes etc. anything printed. Forget the design and print just look at the way it’s formed, cut and folded. Some have two folds, some have none, some are big some are small, some open like a book and some like curtains.
Step two: Paperstock
Search high and low for paperstock, you can get all sorts if you look properly. The thicker the card the better but keep in mind that thick card 300gsm+ won’t go through your average desktop printer, however 200gsm should do just fine.
Pick what you like, what looks nice but keep colours in mind, what goes together.
Step 3: Other bits
Pick up other bits of materials as well, ribbon, rivets, whatever you want.
Step 4: Sketch out a design. Where will cuts, folds, text go? How will it come together?
Step 5:Typography.
Look at fonts. Find one you like but more importantly one which fits the theme of the design. The invite itself has to create a mood and environment. The font will help to achieve that.
Step 6: Make it!
Printed on shimmering mauve pearlescent card and hand stitched to form a pocket envelope with three inner sheets of thick transulscent plastic.
Printed on a thinner pearlescent stock with a thick, textured, die cut peach stock laid on top. Stitched together to form a large landscape booklet and sealed with a sheer cream ribbon.
Produced with a thick, textured black stock with printed silver, shimmering transculscent stock on the inside and out. Bound with thick silver tassel ribbon.
All designed for Cupids Wedding Invitations.co.uk
