Help Designing Ceremony Program

[S&I]

I'm in the process of designing our ceremony programs, and am having a hard time deciding on the size and formatting. The company that I'm using has given me a price quote for using my own 8.5" by 11" card stock, and cutting it once, after printing on both sides.

My question is, do you think the cut should be made horizontally or vertically?

If I have them cut it vertically, so it ends up being a finished size of 4.25" by 11", all the text should fit on one side.
If I have them cut it horizontally, so it ends up being a finished size of 5.5" by 8.5", I don't think all the text will fit on one side.

Additionally, I'm using thermography/raised ink printing, so I'm not entirely sure that having it printed on both sides is such a good idea. The printing company has assured me that they print one side and heat the ink to raise it, and wait until it's completely dry before printing and heating the other side. But I've heard issues with the first side being squished back down when the second side is being printed. Has anybody heard of this being a problem?

Sorry if this post is kind of confusing. It's been driving me a bit crazy!

 

[vc10um]

I think the look of a long, slender program is really elegant, especially if it's accentuated by a layer of vellum and ribbon or some other decorative touch at the top. So my vote is for the 4.25x11"

 

[S&I]

Thanks vc! I think that's the direction I'm leaning towards too. I just have to make sure I can fit everything on the page without making the text too small for people to read.

 

[lulu66]

I think the look of a long, slender program is really elegant, especially if it's accentuated by a layer of vellum and ribbon or some other decorative touch at the top. So my vote is for the 4.25x11"

that sounds lovely.

i'm diy-ing programs & they are 8.5 x 5.5 booklets (full Catholic Mass=lots o' stuff for the program) but i wish i could have had cuter/fancier ones.

 

[S&I]

Thanks lulu. I can't wait to see how your programs turn out. I just ordered a 165lb cover stock for this project, so I'm hoping the printing company won't have a problem printing on them.