My DIY letterpress invitations are done (pics)!

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My DIY letterpress invitations are done (pics)!

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Joined: August 23rd, 2007, 8:11 am

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:14 am

So here''s the full suite of all the pieces we made, including our envelopes, which I just got back from the calligrapher today!

My friend and I letterpressed these ourselves just like we did for the save the dates. This time, though, I did the designing myself rather than go back and forth w/ my sister. Let me tell you, nothing teaches you how to use Illustrator like having to trace a map! :P

Now I''m just trying to figure out in what order I should put these together. The problem is that the Events/Map piece is printed on both sides, so if I put it behind the invitation the brown shows through the front of the cream envelopes.

I posted pics of a few different variations. Although my ideal would be to have the invitation in front, I guess my second choice would be this order: RSVP envelope (w/ RSVP card hidden behind), Weekend Events or Map (can''t decide which side to face up), Invitation. FI thinks the stamp is kind of distracting, but I think it looks too busy with the RSVP card in front.

I know it''s not a HUGE deal, but I do want to give the best impression when people open up the envelope. Thoughts??

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:14 am

All the pieces

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:14 am

Events (backside of map piece...yes, there is a smaaall typo)

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:16 am

Invite closeup

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Clairitek

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by Clairitek » February 18th, 2009, 9:16 am

Those are awesome!
I am so so impressed with the letterpress work you ladies do on PS. Its so inspiring!

Please don''t forget to post a link to this thread in the DIY thread on the forum!

The caligraphy looks awesome too. I am trying to teach myself how to do that but I will NEVER get to the gorgeousness on your reply envelopes!

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:19 am

RSVP

Besides the small typo on the events piece, my only other regret is that we didn't print the RSVP cards in yellow instead of brown. Not sure what I was originally thinking...there's so much brown!

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:20 am

Date: 2/18/2009 3:16:39 PM
Author: Clairitek
Those are awesome!

I am so so impressed with the letterpress work you ladies do on PS. Its so inspiring!

Please don''t forget to post a link to this thread in the DIY thread on the forum!

The caligraphy looks awesome too. I am trying to teach myself how to do that but I will NEVER get to the gorgeousness on your reply envelopes!

Thanks! Actually, the reply envelopes were also letterpressed :) I just used the letters from our Save the Date and the return address from the outer envelopes, which we also letterpressed.

Calligraphed outer envelope pic to come :)

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:21 am

Outer envelope

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:21 am

Addressed envelope

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:22 am

Invitation in front?

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Definitely, Maybe

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by Definitely, Maybe » February 18th, 2009, 9:22 am

Wow those look great! I love the DIY letterpress. looks pretty amazing to me! :)

No advice on how to order them. Will people really notice? I''m not sure I would.

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:23 am

RSVP envelope in front

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:24 am

Map facing up instead of events

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 9:24 am

RSVP card facing up?

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Definitely, Maybe

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by Definitely, Maybe » February 18th, 2009, 9:29 am

Is there a way to lay the RSVP card/ envelope horizontally (sp) so that it shows more the weekend events more? Or maybe even do it completely opposite and have the invite first, events second and rsvp third? hmmm just throwing ideas out and trying to picture it in my head.

PS that calligraphy is AMAZING!! as kid my parents bought me a calligraphy set, but I never knew how to make it look as beautiful as that!

ETA Just noticed the pic with the invite in the front... sorry about that.

what about map.. rsvp.. invite? I like how the brown on the map goes with the "your invited" thing.

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by Clairitek » February 18th, 2009, 9:50 am

Date: 2/18/2009 3:21:44 PM
Author: newbie124
Addressed envelope

Simply incredible.

I''m so in love with your invite suite! Maybe I should start to hunt down my own gocco! (That''s what you used for letterpress, right?) After looking at your invites and CrownJewel''s invites I am beginning to think that I can''t live without one!

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C-tek

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Lanie

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by Lanie » February 18th, 2009, 10:01 am

Cutie patootie!!! I love them!

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ice-queen

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by ice-queen » February 18th, 2009, 10:02 am

Wow, I can''t believe you made these yourself! They are beautiful! I love love love the detail on the outer envelope!

I have to agree with your fiance that having the stamped envelope in front is a bit distracting--- it somehow takes away from the overall look. I like the one with the invitation in front, but I think I like the one with the rsvp card in front a little more...maybe just because I like how it looks like a little "bundle" of things held together by the cute band you made, wheras when the invitation is on top, it looks like just an invitation (until the guest finds the rest underneath).

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 10:10 am

Date: 2/18/2009 3:50:06 PM
Author: Clairitek
Date: 2/18/2009 3:21:44 PM

Author: newbie124

Addressed envelope

Simply incredible.

I''m so in love with your invite suite! Maybe I should start to hunt down my own gocco! (That''s what you used for letterpress, right?) After looking at your invites and CrownJewel''s invites I am beginning to think that I can''t live without one!

Thanks so much :)

Actually these were done on actual letterpress machines. We rented time at a local studio that owns some presses and teaches classes to people so you use the machines yourself. It''s a pretty time and labor intensive project, but so worth it in the end!

Gocco will let you make your own prints, however I don''t think it makes the indentation in the paper like you get w/ letterpress. Still, it''s probably a good option if you want to DIY your own stationery.

My friend actually bought a used tabletop letterpress and is working on trying to fix it up hopefully in time for us to be able to press my programs and menus since it''s kind of a pain to get up to the studio plus you have to pay to rent.

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Sparkalicious

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by Sparkalicious » February 18th, 2009, 10:20 am

newbie - Your invites are amazing! Fantastic job. Very impressive. Whichever way you decide to do - guaranteed your guests will be impressed.

* Too much of a good thing can be wonderful * ~ Mae West

September 6, 2009

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Clairitek

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by Clairitek » February 18th, 2009, 10:24 am

Date: 2/18/2009 4:10:50 PM
Author: newbie124

Thanks so much :)

Actually these were done on actual letterpress machines. We rented time at a local studio that owns some presses and teaches classes to people so you use the machines yourself. It''s a pretty time and labor intensive project, but so worth it in the end!

Gocco will let you make your own prints, however I don''t think it makes the indentation in the paper like you get w/ letterpress. Still, it''s probably a good option if you want to DIY your own stationery.

My friend actually bought a used tabletop letterpress and is working on trying to fix it up hopefully in time for us to be able to press my programs and menus since it''s kind of a pain to get up to the studio plus you have to pay to rent.

After I posted I realized that the Gocco wouldn''t let you do the indented wording.

I shall run off and see if there are any studios around here that do this sort of thing! Thanks for the information.

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 10:47 am

Thanks for the suggestions! I actually just realized that if I put the RSVP as the last item, then the Events/Map doesn't show through the envelope very much and I could actually have the invite in the front. Although, I do know what you mean ice-queen about having it look like a cute bundle, which I also kind of like. (I also thought about putting the RSVP horizontally, but unfortunately it's too wide across). Hmm...so hard to decide!

Definitely,maybe - If you're interesting in having calligraphy on your invites, I used Goodhue Designs. She was fabulous. Her guaranteed turnaround time is 2 weeks, but she got mine done and back in the mail 2 days after she received them! Her rates are also very reasonable...only $1.25 for outer envelopes and she will also do the escort cards for free.

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Definitely, Maybe

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by Definitely, Maybe » February 18th, 2009, 11:02 am

Date: 2/18/2009 4:47:40 PM
Author: newbie124

Thanks for the suggestions! I actually just realized that if I put the RSVP as the last item, then the Events/Map doesn''t show through the envelope very much and I could actually have the invite in the front. Although, I do know what you mean ice-queen about having it look like a cute bundle, which I also kind of like. (I also thought about putting the RSVP horizontally, but unfortunately it''s too wide across). Hmm...so hard to decide!

Definitely,maybe - If you''re interesting in having calligraphy on your invites, I used Goodhue Designs. She was fabulous. Her guaranteed turnaround time is 2 weeks, but she got mine done and back in the mail 2 days after she received them! Her rates are also very reasonable...only $1.25 for outer envelopes and she will also do the escort cards for free.

I am not planning to get married for a bit, but I will definitely put that name in my "wedding stuff" folder. They look so great!

Also: Your cat inyour avator is so stinkin cute! Everytime I see a post by you I just smile at its cute little face. :)

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Dreamgirl

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by Dreamgirl » February 18th, 2009, 11:42 am

These are incredibly gorgeous! Do you have your own letterpress?

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by goldenstar » February 18th, 2009, 11:44 am

Holy moly, these are FABULOUS!!!!!

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Kim N

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by Kim N » February 18th, 2009, 11:51 am

These are AMAZING, newbie! I can''t believe these are DIY. So professional and stunning.

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newbie124

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by newbie124 » February 18th, 2009, 11:54 am

Dreamgirl - Nope, my friend and I actually rented time at a studio that let us use their presses. My friend did just recently track down and buy a tabletop press. She still needs to fix it up and buy some parts for it, but we may be able to use it to print the programs and menus before the wedding.

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redfaerythinker

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by redfaerythinker » February 18th, 2009, 12:33 pm

those look awesome!

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pocahontas

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by pocahontas » February 18th, 2009, 4:11 pm

I absolutely

letterpress and your invites are no exception! They''re elegant and look awesome! I can''t believe this was DIY project ''cause they look professionally printed. Way to go, Newbie

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xoxo

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by xoxo » February 18th, 2009, 5:27 pm

They look great

gorgeous everything. The colors are fonts are beautiful. Congrats on such a lovely invite.

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modernsparkler

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by modernsparkler » February 19th, 2009, 1:47 am

Amazing! Very nicely done! Your guests are going to LOVE them!

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