an abridged invitationary, or, a quick and simple overview of

common stationery terms

As a design client, you don’t need to know the ins and outs of printing and paper types — I’ve got that taken care of for you — but you do need to know what you like, and it helps to be on the same page as your designer, so here I am with the rundown on some of the most common printing, production, and paper-related terms you’re going to run into. Don’t worry, it’s just the highlights!

printing methods

Here we talk about how the medium (e.g., ink) or result (e.g., embossing) is applied to a surface (e.g., paper). The dollar signs I show are in relation to each entry, and generally reflect the time, quality, and rarity of the method used, and expertise and materials required for using the method.

letterpress

$$$$$
The letters or images are pressed into a (usually heavier) paper stock, resulting in indented letters on the front that are raised on the back side of the paper. Use as an accent or throughout a whole suite.

engraving

$$$$$
Sort of an inverse of letterpress, the letters or images are pressed into a (usually heavier) paper stock, resulting in raised letters on the front that are indented on the back side of the paper. Use as an accent or throughout a whole suite.

embossing

$$$$
It’s like engraving, but without any ink. Use as an accent.

offset (also referred to as lithography)

$$
Results in letters and images that are printed flat against the paper, and can be printed on a ton of different kinds of paper. Typically has the best color accuracy, and is best for large (like, 500+ qty) runs. Use throughout a whole suite.

digital

$
Offers similar results to offset printing, though with slightly fewer paper options. Very cost effective. Use throughout a whole suite.

thermography

$$
Kind of a cheater’s engraving, the final result is raised text that is flat on the back side of the paper. Use as an accent or throughout a whole suite.

foil stamping

$$–$$$$$
Metallic colors — gold, silver, rose gold — are pressed onto the paper. Depending on the method used, it could leave an indentation or be flat on the paper. You can use foil stamping in conjunction with a few types of printing, so the cost and outcome vary. Use as an accent or throughout a whole suite.

finishing techniques

Often done by a printer, but not always! These are just a few ways to further gussy up an invitation suite.

edge painting

$$$–$$$$
If your invitations are printed on thick, unfolded paper, you can add color or foil to the edges. Use as an accent on one piece or every piece.

die-cutting

$$$–$$$$
Get a lil’ shape cut out of your paper! Or, change the shape of your paper altogether. Use as an accent on one piece or every piece.

paper types

Ask a stationer about paper, I dare you ;P Imagine Cookie Monster, but with paper. We try to restrain ourselves, but boy, it’s hard. Here’s the most restrained take I can offer:

cotton

Made of cotton, this paper is softer to the touch than regular ol’ paper.

recycled

This paper is recycled. Sometimes that’s equated with a less in-your-face, bright bright white color, but not always! 

recycled paper vs. PCW recycled paper

Whipping out my previous-life subject-matter-expertise here: Both types of recycled paper are made from recycled material, but just plain recycled paper can be made from scraps and byproducts of the paper production process, while a paper labeled % PCW recycled means that that percent of the paper is made entirely from paper that’s been used and recycled by consumers (PCW stands for Post-Consumer Waste). Now you know!

handmade

Made by hand, this paper is often more textured and can be more decorative, and thicker than standard paper as well. It almost always has a deckled edge — sort of the paper equivalent of fabric’s frayed edge, a deckled edge is an edge that isn’t perfectly straight, but sort of tapers off into an uneven, translucent, ripply edge.

glitter

Paper with glitter on it is generally not printable, but can be used as an accent. I am really into glitter, but not on paper.

pearlescent

Pearlescent paper has a light shimmer to it. I would be very specific about where and how it gets used.

metallic

High-shine, slightly reflective paper is metallic. I literally have no idea how it could be incorporated in a not-tacky way but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

linen

Linen paper has a crosshatch impression on it that can range in terms of subtleness. For some reason, I always associate it with resumes. You can get a linen finish on lots of different weights of paper.

double-thick

YUM. Double thick paper is a little obvious in the naming, as it’s two sheets of paper stuck together. Double thick paper makes a real impression, and is often used in conjunction with letterpress, embossing, or engraving (printing methods that really leave a... wait for it… impression).

vellum

Imagine your elementary school art class’s tracing paper, and then kick it up a notch in terms of quality and formality, and you have vellum, a semi-transparent, cloudy paper that is a really fun textural and visual addition to a suite.

kraft

That brown paper that is now probably permanently associated with mason jars, sometimes it’s smooth and sometimes it’s rough, but it’s always brown and communicates a rusticity that you don’t get from many other materials at the price and ease of use as kraft paper.

envelopes + postage

I strongly encourage you not to go trying to figure out envelope types and postage on your own; it’s a confusing endeavor rife with inconsistent information. Instead, let your stationer be your guide — or rather, just let your stationer do it for you. Here’s the info you probably need the most.

european flap

An envelope with a V-shaped flap has a European flap.

square flap

An envelope with a rectangular, straight-edge flap has a square flap.

outer

The envelope that takes the mail beating the most, this is the one with the address and stamps on it.

inner

More formal invitation suites sometimes include an inner envelope; this envelope holds the suite and includes the guests’ names, but then goes into one more just slightly larger envelope that serves as the outer envelope.

RSVp

Included in your suite, the RSVP envelope is typically a smaller, pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope that guests use to reply to your invitation.

liner

MMM, liners! A fancy little touch of design, an envelope liner is a sheet of paper inserted into and adhered to an envelope for some added metaphorical sparkle.

a totally calm note on invitation postage

Most invitation suites require postage beyond the standard letter rate; at a minimum, the additional cost is usually based on weight, but it can also be based on shape and size of thing going through the mail. I love the USPS and want it to be well-funded and have some *opinions* on one Mr. DeJoy, and also there is not a person on earth who is clear on the USPS rates and how to calculate them and it is always a chore to wade through the murky “Is it a package or a flat?” swamp, BUT I’m gonna go ahead and say that, for MOST people, in 2021, you should plan on spending at least $1.25/guest on postage: $0.70 for mailing the suite, and $0.55 for the RSVP envelope.

vintage postage

Do you love the look of multiple, colorful (or just color-schemed) postage stamps flowing out of the upper right corner of an envelope? Then you probably want vintage postage, or a mix of vintage and modern postage. You will pay more for this postage, but the amount varies a lot depending on the look we’re going for (I’m happy to give you a quote!).

sources + resources

I’m eternally grateful for Jerry Nelson’s extremely helpful breakdown of postage fees.

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