Frequently Asked Questions
Printing
Etiquette
Engraving: Engraving, using a copperplate (die), is one of the oldest and most elegant printing processes. You can recognize engraving by the exquisite detail and fine lines of the raised copy and subtle bruise on the back of the paper. The die is covered with ink and then applied to paper with pressure. Engraving is ideal for printing light colors on dark paper (the inks are opaque) and for metallic that gleam as in no other process. The die, which is returned with your order, can be used to replenish your stationery or create a new look with different papers and inks.
Thermography: Thermography printing imitates the appearance of engraved. The image is produced on a high quality film plate and then printed with flat ink on the paper. A clear resinous powder is applied over the flat ink. When heated, the powder fuses with the ink and swells to create a smooth, raised surface with a subtle sheen. Thermography inks are not opaque, so the color changes slightly with the tone of the paper.
Blind Embossing: Essentially Engraving without the ink, blind embossing adds texture and dimension by creating shadow and depth. A ton of pressure per square inch expands the paper fibers and re-shapes the surface of the paper. Embossing dies can be etched to create a single level of detail or hand-cut so the design has multiple levels.
Letterpress: Dating back to the 14th century, Letterpress printing brings age-old craftsmanship to classic and updated designs. Each Letterpress design is done by hand, which you can tell by the subtle variations in ink shades each print may possess. The design is applied to paper with pressure. Papers that are 100% cotton have a unique softness that make them ideal for craftsmanship of Letterpress.
Foil Stamping: Foil Stamping is somewhat similar to Engraving and Letterpress, in that the color is applied to paper with pressure. Once the design is finalized, metal dies are created. The dies are heated and then stamped with enough pressure to seal a thin layer of foil to the paper. Foil is an opaque medium. As a result, the foil color does not change based on the paper color. This makes metallic or lighter color foil great for darker or colored papers.
Flat Printing: Also called offset or lithography, Flat Printing is produced by transferring an inked impression from a plate to a rubber cylinder and then to the paper. As the name implies, the image is flat to the surface of the paper.
Digital Printing: Modern printing methods such as laser and ink-jet printing are known as Digital Printing. In Digital Printing, an image is sent directly to the printer using files such as PDF’s and those from graphics software. This eliminates the need for a printing plate, which is used in offset printing, which can save money and time. Without the need for a plate, Digital Printing has brought about fast turnaround times, printing on demand and saves money for multi color printing.
Send out 6 to 8 months prior to the wedding date. 8 to 10 months prior if a destination wedding. The save the date is where you should include your wedding website.
Wedding invitations can be engraved, printed in thermography or digitally printed. Send out 6 to 8 weeks prior to the wedding date. 3 months prior if a destination wedding. Add a few extra weeks if wedding falls on or around a holiday.
Invitation verbiage includes: Who is inviting the guests (formal full names and suffixes such as junior or senior), bride's first and middle name, groom's title and full name, date, time, venue, city and state.
Reception card verbiage includes: Type of reception, name and address of venue. Reception card is where Black tie or Black tie optional should appear (lower right hand corner) since it is the reception that is formal.
Response card verbiage includes: Response by a given date, a line for the guests' names and a line for "will or will not attend". If having a dinner reception, this is where you would place entree choices. Give guests at least 15 days between invitation arrival and response deadline.
Guests invited to the wedding ceremony should be invited to the reception. When inviting guests to the reception only, the main invitation should be to the reception and a separate card should be included for guests invited to the ceremony.
Informals (don't let the name fool you) can be rather formal. It is a smaller folded note with a lady's full social name (Mrs. Robert Paul Englander) or a couple's full social name (Mr. and Mrs. Robert Paul Englander) on the front in black ink. Informals are typically used as invitations, responses to casual social events, or attached to a gift. Today, however, they are also perfect as a short classy thank you note.
Formal wedding thank you notes are typically the bride's married monogram centered on the front, printed blind embossed or in a subtle ink color. Thank you notes should be written and mailed within 3 to 4 months of receiving the gift.
A note should be sent to family and friends who have given flowers, food or donations in memory of a loved one who has died. Sympathy acknowledgements are usually a folded note or card with a thank you from the family for the expression of sympathy. These notes are usually engraved or printed in thermography.
3:GIFT SHIPPING
4:RETURNS