Typefaces. Conventionally a script is used. However we are increasingly asked to use other faces. Our sample package shows conventional faces as well as others, but do bear in mind there are thousands of faces, and even different versions of the same face, so do ask if you don’t see something you like.Visiting www.Fontfile.com will give you some ideas.

Format
A conventional wedding invitation is a fly (folded) card measuring 7x5.5” (178x140mm) when folded, although we seem to do more 8.25x6.25” (210x158mm) nowadays. For simplicity, we call the two sizes Small and Large.

Processes:
ENGRAVING (embossed from plate)
Wedding invitations were traditionally hand engraved on thick paper and we still provide this skilled service. Machine engraving is often provided by other firms without the customer's knowledge when they have not insisted on hand engraving. Machine engraving is the product of a computer - not a skilled craftsman - and we do not offer this service as we see very little difference between it and thermography (see below). Because of the bespoke nature of the process, hand engraving takes between 2½ and 3½ weeks (machine engraving takes considerably less time) and costs a lot more than thermography. Click here to see more about engraving and die-stamping.

LITHOGRAPHY (flat print)
This is the term used for flat printing and is the method used in 95% of all printing.

THERMOGRAPHY (EMBOSSING)
This process is added to the wet ink of lithography to give text an embossed feel. It is much quicker and cheaper than hand engraving. It differs only marginally from engraving and is our most popular product by far as our quality emulates engraving more closely than our competitors', leaving a raised matt rather than gloss finish. We are renowned for the amazing quality of our thermography.

FOILING
This process is done with a heated male die fusing foil onto the paper or card. The finished look is a very solid image with no colour of the stock underneath coming through. A glossy gold foil looks like gold leaf, and adds real style to any order.

SCREEN PRINTING
This is again a very different method of printing, and is suitable for non-absorbent surfaces like plastic.

Etiquette
We have been advising on the format of invitations for many years, and have built quite a fine reputation on this front. Etiquette is not just old-fashioned nonsense, but has evolved over centuries as the most concise, common sense, formal format, free from tautology. We will always mention if you give us unusually worded copy, but if this is what you want, then you can ask us to stop the inquisition.

F. A. Q.s answered:

Sizes. Although most of our wedding invitations are the large (210x158mm)size when folded, conventionally they are the small (178x140) size. We can of course do any size but specialist envelopes can make some choices very expensive.

Wording & Style:
On our samples you will see the normal wording used, but don’t think you are limited to a specific text or format.
Style A - Small size - cover blind embossed with script inside
Style C - Large size in script
Style D - Small size hand-engraved script
Style F - 'Franco' typeface in sunken panel
Style G - 'Caslon open' typeface
Style SQ - Single square card, panel-sunk and contemporary 'Serlio' typeface
Other Styles


Card choice:
The stock used was originally heavy paper (160gsm), but again times have changed and over the last year we have done none on this weight of paper; in fact "the thicker the smarter" is the thinking now. The original stock was a cartridge paper but now most people ask for a smooth 335 – 400gsm. Our standard stocks are smooth white 335gsm; smooth ivory 360gsm; 300gsm laid card which comes White, Oyster and Cream. The laid lines can run either vertically giving the card a stiffer feel, or horizontally. The other standard choice is China White 350gsm which has a rough finish and is a darker cream. All these cards are represented in our wedding samples package. Click here to see the difference between smooth and laid finishes.

Finishing:
We can add a bow (as our sample A), or anything you like. Just ask for the possibilities.

Samples. Click here or ask.

Ordering. Click here.

Prices. Click here.