Inside: Are you looking for the best ways to print your wedding invitations on a budget? Learn more about 3 of the top choices and their pros and cons – from printing at home, best online printers and local print shops – to find out which one will work best for you! Printing Wedding Invitations made easy! |
One of the most common questions at our stationery studio is, "where can I print my wedding invitation?"
Your wedding invitations are the first glimpse of your special day, setting the tone for the entire event. You don't have to sacrifice quality just because you're DIYing!
Printing your own wedding invitations can be a great way to SAVE some money, but with so many options, it can be tricky to know where to start.
Don't worry – no matter if you're designing everything from scratch or using one of our charming invitation templates to help you out, we've rounded up the best three options for printing wedding invitations on a budget without compromising on style or quality.
1. Printing at Home
If you have access to a high-quality printer and are only printing out a few wedding invitations, consider doing it from the comfort of your home.
At first glance, using your home printer to print out wedding invitations could seem like the most straightforward, cost-effective and fastest option. However, there are several factors to consider before opting for this route.
- Cost is one of them; bear in mind that ink (particularly if you are looking for a vibrant layout or solid background), paper (ideally of good quality and thickness), and, if necessary, a paper trimmer are all additional expenses.
- Time is another factor that should be considered: printing can be done while multitasking, but remember to account for the time it will take to cut down each piece of paper. Furthermore, setting up a test print usually involves a few trials runs before the formatting is perfect from screen to paper, so allow extra time for this part of the process.
- Quality may also be an issue: unless you own a high-quality printer, DIY invitations printed at home might not look as impressive. Home printers often don't handle thick paper well, and colours + overall quality are usually not on-par with industrial machines.
PROS:
- Home printing can be more AFFORDABLE than other methods.
- You can print as few or as many invitations as you need.
CONS:
- Printing at home takes time and patience.
- Your home printer may not be able to handle heavy cardstock or speciality paper.
- There is always the potential for human error when printing at home.
2. Printing with an Online Print Service
Printing DIY wedding invitations with an online print service is a great way to save time and stress! You don't have to worry about ink, paper, cutting and quality. It's cost-effective, and you can get the job done quickly and easily.
PROS:
- You don't need to own a printer or have any printing supplies.
- Professional printing services can print on various paper types, including cardstock and speciality papers.
- Your invitations will be ready to mail in just a few days.
CONS:
- Professional printing services can be more expensive than other methods.
- Some online printing services have a minimum order quantity.
When I launched Creative Things Studio, the top priority was finding an exceptional printing partner to produce high-quality stationery products for my customers.
After thoroughly researching multiple vendors and assessing their capabilities, I have compiled a list of my top picks for printing your wedding invitations!
They offer fast turnaround times, competitive pricing and a wide variety of customization options.
Prints of Love
It's easy to create the perfect wedding invitation with Prints of Love.
I'm always recommending their prints to my US-based customers who have purchased an invitation template from my shop because the QUALITY is top-notch, and the turnaround time is so fast.
After editing your template, simply download it as a PDF (with show bleeds selected) and upload it to Prints of Love. You can choose the quantity and paper type (I recommend their matte paper for wedding invitations!) and add free envelopes if desired.
Thanks to Prints of Love's speedy service, you can have your wedding invitations ready in no time. All orders are shipped within 2-3 business days with free 2-3 day shipping for US customers - there is even international shipping available at an additional cost!
In addition to wedding invitations, Prints of Love can print programs, menus, place cards and large-format signs. Plus, they offer envelope addressing too!
Printed.com
Printed.com offer a wide range of card sizes and paper options to suit any style or budget. I love the quality of their prints and luxurious paper stock options such as metallic and pearlescent card stocks. They also offer to foil printing and round corners if you want to give your invite a modern finish.
With Printed.com, you can even request a free paper pack to get a feel for the paper you like best.
Turnaround time for invitations is usually 3-5 days. However, their system will generate a delivery date before you place your order so you can be sure to meet all deadlines. They also offer express delivery within the UK.
Vistaprint
They print and ship to 45 countries. So for anyone on a budget, Vistaprint can ensure every invitation, save the date and thank you card looks luxurious without breaking the bank.
Download your template or DIY design as a PDF with the 'bleed' option selected and upload it on their website.
3. Printing with a Local Print Shop
If you prefer to get your invitations printed locally, some options are COSTCO, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc.
Printing with a local print shop is an excellent option for high-quality, low-cost printing. It also allows you to get your invitations quickly and often with same-day service.
Download your design as a PDF (with show bleeds selected). If you use one of our Corjl invitation templates, enable the option 'save paper' and 'show trim marks'. For a polished, refined touch, have them print your design on card stock and trim it precisely along the lines.
PROS:
- You can talk directly with the printer to ensure everything comes out exactly as you imagined.
- You can get a better idea of the quality and paper selection in person.
- Printing locally often means faster turnaround times compared to online services.
CONS:
- Printing at a local print shop could be more expensive than online services, depending on the type of paper you choose and other customization options.
- Printing locally may require a minimum order quantity.
Picking the right method for you
Now that you know more about each option, it's time to choose the one that's right for you. Again, consider your budget, timeline, and desired level of involvement when making your decision.
No matter which method you choose, DIYing your own invitations is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding day.