Print and Make Your Own Invitations (And Other Stuff)

Make Your Own Wedding Invitations

Many of our clients like to bring their invites to the next level. I want to show how you can use our templates to create a posh wedding invitation that noone will suspect you actually made yourself.

Some like to simply back the printed invitation with some coordinating colored cardstock, and use a ribbon or belly band to hold the pieces together. Some use a gatefold, petal fold/pochette, or even DIY blank Pocketfolds!

DIY Pocketfold Invitations

Start by printing your template onto some heavy white cardstock. Use a good paper cutter to trim the invitations to size. Included on all templates are cutting guides to help you line up where to cut. Most all paper cutters have a grid on them as well. Use the grid to ensure the sizing and to make sure you are keeping your paper perfectly aligned for straight cutting. This makes a world of difference!

Apply some adhesive to the back of your invitation using a good glue stick, or my personal favorite, and adhesive/glue runner. I LOVE my glue runner! BUT, the glue can run out fast and get expensive. The trick is to use a few well placed strips of glue. Use it sparingly and it will go a long way. I usually dab a small strip on each edge and in the middle.

Line the invitation up with an edge of the pocket folder and attach it in place. Center it best as you can.

To complete the rest of the pieces trim them using the same manor and simply arrange them within the pocket.
Some good pieces to include are the response card and reception card. I like to use the enclosure template to print out directions and hotel accomodations as well. You can also create a small menu card or include the menu card included in the template kit.

Some Useful Hints And Tips:

DIY Place Cards

After trimming the paper horizontally, hold a ruler across where the marks indicate "score and fold". Use a bone folder, or anything similar you can find (I have even used a chop stick before) to score across the middle of the cards against the ruler.

Trim the pieces in half by using your paper cutters measurment guides to cut them at 4 1/4" inches.

Fold the cards in half and use your bone folder (or even your ruler) to smooth over the fold. Viola!

Make Your Own Table Numbers

I have seen people insert them into a special table number holder. They have been framed and propped on tables, and some more, creative uses as well.

Here is one creative DIY way to make your own standing table numbers:

Start by printing your table numbers onto an appropriate paper (I recommend using cardstock - how thick depends on how you choose to display your table numbers). Trim the pieces from the paper. One sheet will print four table numbers.

Next Cut some 12 x 12 cardstock into strips measuring 4" wide and 12" long.

Measure in 5 1/4" from both ends of the paper and make a score mark across the paper horizontally.

Apply some adhesive to the back of the table number using a glue stick or glue runner. Attach the table number to the cradstock lining it up about 1/8" from the scoring mark and the edges of the paper.

Fold the cardstock across the scoring marks. Next get out a circular paper punch and punch a hole into the cardstock, directly in the middle of the paper, through both the front and back part of the folded cardstock.

Thread some ribbon or raffia through the holes and tie into a bow or knot. Now you can stand the cardstock up to place onto a table!

DIY Wedding Favor Tags

Use them as a favor tag, or create envelope seals to place on the back of your sealed envelopes. You can use them to tie around the bottom of wine glasses or champagne flutes. Or you can even use them as place card/table number indicators by creatively hanging them.

Creating DIY Favor Tags:

Start by printing out the DIY wedding favor tag template onto thick white cardstock. I recommend using 110 lb. cover stock. Trim the tags out from the paper using a paper trimmer and out handy cutting guidlines. The template creates several 2" by 2" favor tags.

Cut some colored cardstock into 2 1/4" by 2 1/4" pieces.

Apply some adhesive to the back of the tags and attach them centered onto the cut cardstock pieces.

Punch a small hole into the center top or corner of the favor tag. I like to use an 1/8" circle punch. You can find this size punch at any crafts store, or even the craft section in department stores like Walmart and Target.

Thread a ribbon, raffia, or some bakers twine or string, through the punched hole. The result is a fab DIY favor tag!

Printable Water and Wine bottle Labels

I whole heartedly recommend using 110 lb. cardstock to print onto, and attach the labels using some super stong adhesive. I have used permanent adhesive glue runner, but I think for real durability a glue gun would work best.

Keep in mind, the water bottle labels are designed for the small skinny water bottles. They can be used for larger sizes if you apply a larger decorative or colored cardstock label first, then layer the printable label over the first.

Make Your Own Thank You Cards

Many of the Thank You templates are designed to attach a ribbon, but if you want your graphics flush to the fold and edges of the card you may want to trim the paper further before folding it.

After cutting the paper in half, make a score mark for folding right at the middle point of the paper (4 1/4"). Fold the paper in half to create a folded card.

Apply some glue or adhesive runner to the back of a ribbon and attach it to the front of the card. The ribbon should run down the front of the card as well as into the inside fold of the card.

Tie the ribbon into a bow at the bottom of the card and then trim the ends at an angle to give a finished look.

Creating DIY Party Invitations Kits, Favors, And More

Trim all pieces using a paper trimmer. You can also use scissors but you will have a much more polished invitation set using a sliding blade trimmer. You can get a decent one for around $20 at any craft store or office supply.

All of our invitations are designed to print, trim, and use "as-is". But you do not have to stop there! You can take it to the next level by adding a cardstock backing in a coordinating color, or adding some ribbon, charms, glitter, and more. Let you're creativity run wild!

Creating Envelope Liners

To create a liner start by measuring the dimensions of your open envelope. Cut the liner into the correct size to fit within your envelope, ending just below where the glue is on the envelope.

Hold the liner over the envelope and mark where the fold should go. Score the liner across in the correct spot to line up with the envelope fold.

If the envelope you choose are squared a7 (booklet) envelopes then your liner can be inserted straight into the envelope. But many have a slight angle to the up flap.
To determine the anlge on the flap I measure how far from the edge the end of the flap reaches. Measure the same distance onto your liner. Use your paper trimmer to trim from the measure mark to where you scored your paper.

Apply some adhesive to the backside of the top flap of the liner. Fit the liner into the envelope and then press the flap into place.

Another pretty effective way to create an envelope liner, is to cut apart one of your envelopes. Rin the envelope open, and trim off the excess paper until you are left with what your liner would be shaped as. Use this piece as a pattern and lay it over the back of your liner. Trace the shape and the trim the paper using your tracing as a guideline.

Cupcake Toppers

When I create these by cutting the paper into sections to reduce the size of the white paper around each topper, and then punch them out by hand with a 2" paper punch.

Next I use some quick dry adhesive (My fave is Scotch brand) to sandwich a flat tooth pick or lollipop stick between two toppers. After they are dried I like to tie on little bows for an added decoration.

DIY Pinwheels

Start by trimming the pinwheel template from the paper. Cut a slit on each of the guidelines using a pair of scissors. Punch a small hole at each of the places indicated on the template (shows a small punch hole mark). I use a 1/8" sized paper punch, but you can punch the holes any way you want.

You can make the pinwheels strictly as decoration,. OR make them real working pinwheels!

1. As decoration(easy) - to create DIY pinwheel decorations it is easiets to use a brad inserted through each punched hole and then through the middle of the paper. Carefully fold each petal inward to line up the holes over the center mark. I insert the brad into each punched hole a I am folding inward. fold open the brad on the opposite, back side of the pinwheel.

2. Create a real working pinwheel - if you are willing to put in a little bit of extra work you can create pinwheels that really do spin with the breeze! The trick? Use an eyelet and punch to hold together the petals to the center point. You will need an eyelet setter kit or a cropodile punch.
Follow the directions that come with your eyelet setter to affix the eyelet through the papers holding everything together. Then insert a brad throught the middle and attch it to a wooden dowel.

DIY Printable Bunting Decorations

Trim the flags from the page and then score (optional) and fold across the dotted lines at the top of the flag.

Use some craft glue and tape to attach the flags along a string or ribbon. After they are dry hang them everywhere and anywhere as a birthday party decoration.