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What kind of printer do you have? I have a Canon photo printer and just did my Target invitations over the weekend. They look really good... not professional, but that's what I figured going into this. Have you tried printing one yet just to see how it comes out? Also be sure to set your print settings to high quality.
I agree with you about the flimsy envelopes, though, and my other peeve was the perforated response cards. I think I'm going to try using a papercutter to trim those.
I would try doublesided Scotch tape to secure the bellybands. It'll be thin enough as long as it doesn't show through your ribbon.
mary-alice-me: I, too, have a Canon photo printer. It's one of those photo printer/scanner dealies. Maybe tonight I'll do a test run -- if it comes out decent, then I can save some money. Did you print in color or black? I'm planning on using black.
The perforated response cards are really a pain. I've decided to use a paper cutter to trim them also. I haven't printed them yet, but I tore one apart by hand and it looked icky. I tested another with a paper cutter and it looked fine.
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It all depends on how good your printer is. I have an HP photosmart 3 in 1 and I love it. The quality is great and you can't really tell that it was done at home.
As far as I know, most places--including Kinko's--won't print on your paper. Do you have an extra invitation that you could do a test run on? That would give you a better idea of what you are up against.
I agree with the suggestion of doing a trial run. The small business I run does a lot of printing through a small, local printing business. Their prices are fair, and they're generally more willing to work with our particular needs than a chain like Kinkos would be.
I'd recommend looking for small businesses in your area and calling around. You never know, you might luck out!
I did use colored ink, in dark red, for the names. The reply cards are in black ink, and they look really good except when I put a line (_____) that kind of bleeds a little. It's not very noticeable and I don't expect anyone to examine them as closely as I am.
I spent some time drooling over expensive invites, but just for me personally this is more fitting with what I can do and where I want to spend my money. If you can spare one, definitely try it at home before you head out, and you've gotten some good suggestions for how to do it professionally.
Ok, now I'm really curious. I had been planning on having Kinkos print out our invitations on paper we provided and I'm pretty sure we talked about what it would cost if you supplied your own paper. Actually, the guy recommended his favorite paper store to us. Do they not normally do that?
@Caitlanc -- the problems with Kinkos and bringing your own paper come in when the sheets of paper or card stock is not 8 1/2" by 11" or any of their other "regular" measurements. I haven't been able to find a Kinkos yet that is willing to print on my 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 cards.
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@ esqNYbride: Ok, that makes sense. Bummer though! That's exactly why I want to have someone else do them. I REALLY don't want to hand feed 200 invitations through my printer! Good luck finding someone to print yours!
I am going to stick to a simple black ink design, laser printed. I think this will look sharp enough. I am bringing colour and interest in through envelope liners, stationery, and belly bands.
I second the suggestion to look at a local printer or copy shop. I did some volunteering that involved frequent printing jobs and I always remember snafus at kinkos and staples, while the smaller shops were more up front about what they could/could not do and by what time it would be done. I also found they were more likely to use environmentally-friendly vegetable inks, which I totally appreciated.
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I had used Kinko for our STD and the representative that was working suggested I leave the file so he can manuver it perfectly so it would be centered on the paper. Yet when I went back to have a few more STD printed in spanish the representative that was there was a jerk and told me for each manuver that he has to do to the file cost $5! So I grabbed my stuff and went home and did it on my Dell All in One printer. After seeing how the STD came out I decided to take on the invite print at home.
I would Google print shops in your area. Surely Brooklyn or the surrounding burroughs have *something.* Call and ask if they will do a short-run (be ready to give them an approximate number of prints you need made) on your own stock. Then tell them what that stock is to be sure they can do it. Ask them if they do digital or offset (most places like that will do digital for a short-run) and if they can do any form of raised printing. Even flat, digital printing from a professional will be nicer than a home printer or Kinkos or Staples. It will save you time and heartache--trust me! I ran into problems right from the start when I attempted to print at home, so I took mine to a local print shop this week, and it was the best thing in the world I could have done!
Try "Super Sticky Tape" to secure your ribbons. It's sold in widths from 1/8" to 1.5" and can be found at most craft stores. It's double sided and really is super sticky :o)
I don't know what to tell you for the printing- I am trying to figure that out myself!
However, for the ribbon, there are some cute rhinestone buckles online that you could use to secure the ribbon and it would add a little sparkle to the invites.
http://www.myjeanm.com/engine.cfm?iCatID=44170
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So I've fallen in love with the black filigree pattern of the Letter imPress collection at Target (picture below). The quality of the card paper is nice, but the envelopes are flimsy, so I'm using black linen paper to make my own envelope liners. To tie it all together, I'm making a belly band out of a grosgrain ribbon in black and ivory (the exact colors of the invitation).
Here's my dilemma: I'm worried that printing these through my home printer will make these look DIY, and not in a good way. Have any of you had luck with getting a printing store to do either thermographic raised print or plain flat print onto paper you've provided? I've created the invitation text, so I have a pdf ready to go with all the right dimensions.
Also, any suggestions on how to close the ribbon belly bands?
Thanks!