Duplex paper? Hmmm . . . you've heard of "duplex apartments," and if you're a movie buff, maybe saw Duplex, the movie with Ben Stiller. Or, OK, you science types know that "duplex" can refer to a double strand of DNA or RNA. But not even desktop publishers or graphic designers are always familiar with the term, "duplex paper." So here goes a definition: an exciting, cutting edge paper made by pasting two different thinner sheets together, resulting in a sturdy, 120# cover stock with a different color on both sides. Paper crafters, desktop publishers and others creating event and business communications will want to become familiar with this unique paper stock because of the creative possibilities it can offer. Recognizing its creative potential for customers, LCI currently offers an archival, acid free, 120# Duplex Paper with a smooth vellum finish in a black/white or red/white combo.
Duplex paper will make your creative process twice as inspiring with its dual color—rich, intense color on one side of the sheet and brilliant white on the other side. For example, are you dreaming up your own handmade wedding invitation for a truly elegant black and white wedding? A sheet of regular black stock may present the challenge of how to brighten an invitation design that feels too dark and heavy. The solution is Duplex Paper in black/white with its perfect balance of dramatic black and pristine white—a great starting point for a classic black and white wedding invitation. A typical sheet of black paper may present the additional challenge of how to apply a vellum overlay and have the resulting background value bright enough to contrast with the black text you want to print on the vellum. With Duplex black/white cover stock, you can have your dramatic black on the back of the piece, and the white side can serve as a brightly contrasting background to showcase your wedding wording—whether you print on the vellum overlay or directly onto the Duplex stock.
Consider this easy-to-assemble idea that utilizes Duplex Paper's double color scheme as described above. Cut the paper to your desired dimensions to create a flat card. Place the card on a flat surface with the white side up. Make a score approximately 1 ½" from the top. Fold this section forward, creating a band of black at the top. Tuck a layer of white vellum into the fold and glue the fold closed with the vellum secured inside. The bride and groom's names are written across the top of the black band with hand calligraphy using metallic gold ink (See Impressions! 7/10/06, Learn the Art of Calligraphy). Contrast creates dramatic effect, and this card design gives you two-fold contrast. Not only the color value extremes of black and white, but the old world hand calligraphy showcased on cutting edge paper, are provocative and striking contrasts.
Perfectly match your invitation using this substantial paper for a wedding program cover. Your metallic gold hand calligraphy accent can be featured on the front cover. The inside pages can use either the same type of vellum used on the invitation, or if you will be printing on both sides of a folded insert sheet, a radiant white paper that matches the white side of your duplex paper can be used.
Continue your ensemble with a matching menu featuring hand calligraphy on the back side and menu wording printed on the front. The menu can be placed on each guests' plate with the black side facing up. Use white china and white table cloths with your menus and you've got a gorgeous black and white tabletop design.
Tags: duplex paper, black and white wedding, handmade invitations, calligraphy
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