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Do-It-Yourself invitation
tips
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Printing |
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| Paper
suitability |
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| * Some papers will be better suited to laser
print or inkjet. Textured paper may not allow laser toner to 'set' in the
grooves as the heat rollers can't reach the toner. Some inkjet printers
cannot print on translucent stock. We strongly recommend making a test
print first. |
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| * If you don't have a laser printer and wish
you did, consider making a master copy on your inkjet on plain copy paper
and then copying onto your good paper through a quality photocopier. Clean
the glass first! |
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| Finding the right font
(type face) |
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| * Laser printers: Print your invitation on a
translucent overlay first then hold it over your stock to check that the
font suits the paper you've selected. |
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| * Inkjet printers: As some inkjet printers
won't print on acetate or translucent stock, print on white paper and hold
it over your stock whilst holding it up to a bright light. This will give
you some indication. |
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| Layout |
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* Always check the 'print preview' to see that
your copy fits on the page and test by printing on a plain sheet of paper,
that is cut to size, before you print on your real stock. |
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| * Make a mock up of each item before printing
the lot to ensure you get your measurements right and love your design.
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| * Get several other people to "proof" your
work before you print! Double check dates, phone numbers, addresses, etc.
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| * Never hit the print button before you do a
test print on the actual stock you intend to use! Even leave that print
overnight to check it still looks great after being left for a while. And
don't leave your printer running without monitoring it. |
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| Hand addressing your
invitations |
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| * Practice before writing on your invitations
- preferably on the same stock as your invitations. |
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| * Try not to do the whole task in the one hit
- you'll get cramp in your hand! It takes longer than you might
think! |
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| * Make your hand addressing a feature by
using a fancy pen and nice handwriting. Ask a friend to do it if
necessary! Consider writing in a way that contrasts the font used for the
invitation. e.g. bigger, capitals, etc. |
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| *Suggested writing implements (available from
The Right Invite): These pens are great for all of our stock - including
vellum (translucent). When using gel pens, ensure ink is dry before
touching or stacking. |
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Mitsubishi Uni-Ball Noble Metal. Write slowly to
ensure consistent coverage.
Staedler Permanent Fine or SuperFine (Commonly used as overhead projector marker) |
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| *Centering guest name on invitation on vellum
overlay: First, write name on lined, scrap paper. Fold in half and hold up
to light to determine centre of the guest name. Mark centre point. Place
under vellum and position so that name is centred Simply trace over your
initial writing. |
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| Bows |
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| * Some ribbons will crease more easily than
others - organza seems to 'bounce back' well. |
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| * To find how much ribbon you will need, tie
one bow then untie it and measure how much ribbon it used, then just
multiply by the number you need. You'll need a longer length for wider
ribbon. |
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| * Cut your ribbon on a sharp diagonal to
facilitate passing through the holes. You may need to trim a little after
the bow is tied as the ribbon tends to fray as it is pulled through the
holes. |
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| Postage |
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| * Be aware that some larger letters may cost
more to send. Look for the "POP" code which means Post Office Preferred
and is therefore charged at the base rate. |
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| * If you are doing anything a little out of
the ordinary with your invitations, make one and send it to yourself first
to see what state it arrives in! Plaster decals and the like have a habit
of getting crushed in postal machinery, however you can ask that your mail
be hand-sorted which, although is no guarantee, will give them better
chance of survival! |
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| * Write 'Card only' on the top, left hand
corner of overseas invites. You'll get a better postal rate as long as
they weigh no more than 50g. |
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| * Always put a return address on your
invitations. Australia Post cannot return an undeliverable article if
there is no return address. Imagine how embarrassing it would be to have
some guests not receive their invitation! |
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