Event programs can be created using most any paper size or thickness. Folding tri-fold brochures are generally lighter weight than bifold programs. If you are printing your own programs, check your printer manual to see what the limit is for paper thickness. To be on the safe side, choose a paper that has a medium thickness and can be folded easily. Avoid extra heavyweight card stock that could jam in the printer or prove difficult to fold.
If your program uses a folded cover with printed insert sheets, the cover may range in thickness from lightweight card stock (70-80lb Cover) to heavyweight card stock (100-120lb Cover). If it is a heavier weight, consider having it embossed or professionally printed. If you own or have access to a laser printer with a manual straight-through paper feed, this will work better with heavier stocks. Lightweight insert sheets, on the other hand, can easily be printed on any type of home printer.
If you are printing at home, make sure to test a sample to ensure that your
printer is able to handle the paper thickness.
Category: Do It Yourself
The weight of fine printing papers varies between 70lb Text and 80lb Text, while plain copy paper is typically 20-24lb Text. These weights are perfectly acceptable for printing. However, if your paper is lighter than these, it is a good idea to do a printing test on a few sheets of paper before printing a large quantity.
The perforated response card that is part of your seal & send invitations can be sent as a post card, eliminating the need for a secondary response envelope. This is an efficient and eco-friendly option for invitations. If you wish to be more formal, you can enclose the fold and seal invitation along with an accompanying response envelope.
Vellum envelopes are only slightly more difficult to print on than regular paper envelopes. Vellum varies from brand to brand in terms of printer compatibility, so check the specifications of the vellum before committing to a purchase. There are vellum envelopes suitable for inkjet printers, laser printers, and sometimes both.
In general, printing on vellum is a delicate process because it is not porous like standard printing paper. This means it does not absorb ink easily, and when printing with an ink jet printer it is best to allow for a long drying period. We recommend choosing the Transparency setting for paper type, as this will minimize the amount of ink used during printing. Some printers allow you to adjust the ink output, and choosing a lower output will decrease drying time and reduce smearing. If you are using a heavyweight vellum, consider embossing your envelopes instead. This is easily done with thicker vellum and produces highly professional results.
It is highly recommended to test samples before purchasing a large quantity of vellum envelopes. There is no simple answer to the problem of smudging and smearing, since vellums vary and so do printers. It is best to play it safe and test the envelope on your printer before purchasing.
Either option is acceptable. Handwriting the addresses follows traditional etiquette and adds a nice personal touch if you have good penmanship. You can also hire a professional calligrapher for beautiful, impressive results. However, there is nothing stopping you from printing the envelopes with a crisp, clear font. This method can save you a lot of time.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. However, make sure to avoid messy handwriting or printed address labels. If someone other than you handwrites the addresses, supervise them to make sure it is done properly.
