Thursday, January 27, 2005
Using Vellum in Wedding Invitations
A vellum overlay can be a lovely addition to an invitation. Vellum comes in sizes to accommodate the single, Bifold, Trifold, royal and marquis size of invitation. In addition, you can purchase vellum in 8 1/2" x 11" sheets and use it as the inner sheet in a wedding program. As shown in the third picture from the left, it can be attached with a narrow ribbon, organdy ribbon or metallic cord. The vellum can be the same size as the card, but it is generally very slightly smaller.
| This is a sheet of unprinted vellum lying on top of a single invitation. |
| This single invitation has the design printed on the invitation, and the words printed on the vellum. It is tied with an organza ribbon, which lays nicely in an envelope. The template is from our |
 | This is another single invitation with the design (could be a picture of the couple) printed on the invitation, and tied with a narrow satin ribbon. A bow would probably crush in an envelope. |
 | This is another view of a sheet of vellum, this time attached to the invitation. Note that it is slightly smaller than the invitation itself. Although it can be the same size, it tends to stand out better if it is slightly smaller. |
There are some things to watch out for when purchasing vellum, however. There are several different types, weights and characteristics sold, and unless you ask, it can be difficult to determine if you have the right one. Some vellum is designed exclusively for commercial printing, some is designed for inkjet printers only, some for only laser printers, and some is manufactured for both inkjet and laser printers. In addition, its weight must be substantial enough to go through these printers without jamming or tearing.
Vellum can be tricky to lay out; if the design is too "busy" your guests will be unable to read the invitation without lifting the vellum. The invitation can be printed on the card with a design in back, or the invitation can be printed on the card itself, with the design on the vellum. We recommend that the design not overlay the words, as it is in the third picture from the left. You can see that a guest might have difficulty reading the words of the invitation. If your invitation's design could be printed on one card without over writing the design, it is possible to use a vellum overlay as well, and will look charming when there is an overlay. Please also keep in mind that if you had ordered this treatment from a commercial printer, vellum overlays can not be engraved (raised), which skirts the issue of a homemade wedding invitation versus a handmade invitation!
Vellum is not restricted to wedding invitations, though; many brides are now using full sheet (8.5" x 11") vellum as the inside pages of their wedding programs.
To attach the vellum to the card, there are two treatments that you can use. You can attach the vellum to the card using either ribbon or staples, and you can attach the vellum to the top of the card if it is a single invitation or a booklet-type, or, if you wish to use the full-sheet vellum (8.5" x 11"), you can attach it to the fold in the invitation.
If you are using staples and attaching your vellum to the top of your invitation, use two staples approximately 1.25" to 1.5" from each edge. If you are using organza ribbon, which is what we recommend, punch two holes at the top about 1.5" to 1.75" from each edge. Don't put your holes too close together; if you do, the vellum won't stay in place correctly.
If you are attaching your vellum to the fold in the invitation or program, place either the staples or punch the holes if you're using ribbon about 2" to 2 1/2" from the top and bottom of the invitation or program. If the program or invitation is 5.5" high, use the 2 1/2" measurement, if it is shorter than that, use the 2" measurement.
The reason that we recommend organza ribbon instead of satin is because it it easier to handle and it lays better when inserted in an envelope. You want to use 3/8" to 7/8" ribbon of any type--it should not be either narrorer or wider than that. While we do sell organza ribbon because we offer a wide variety of colors, we chose to offer it because we felt it was superior to satin, and we could offer it at a good price. If you have decided on standard colors, it is available at any fabric store.
Vellum can be tricky to lay out; if the design is too "busy" your guests will be unable to read the invitation without lifting the vellum. The invitation can be printed on the card with a design in back, or the invitation can be printed on the card itself, with the design on the vellum. We recommend that the design not overlay the words, as it is in the third picture from the left. You can see that a guest might have difficulty reading the words of the invitation. If your invitation's design could be printed on one card without over writing the design, it is possible to use a vellum overlay as well, and will look charming when there is an overlay. Please also keep in mind that if you had ordered this treatment from a commercial printer, vellum overlays can not be engraved (raised), which skirts the issue of a homemade wedding invitation versus a handmade invitation!
Vellum is not restricted to wedding invitations, though; many brides are now using full sheet (8.5" x 11") vellum as the inside pages of their wedding programs.
To attach the vellum to the card, there are two treatments that you can use. You can attach the vellum to the card using either ribbon or staples, and you can attach the vellum to the top of the card if it is a single invitation or a booklet-type, or, if you wish to use the full-sheet vellum (8.5" x 11"), you can attach it to the fold in the invitation.
If you are using staples and attaching your vellum to the top of your invitation, use two staples approximately 1.25" to 1.5" from each edge. If you are using organza ribbon, which is what we recommend, punch two holes at the top about 1.5" to 1.75" from each edge. Don't put your holes too close together; if you do, the vellum won't stay in place correctly.
If you are attaching your vellum to the fold in the invitation or program, place either the staples or punch the holes if you're using ribbon about 2" to 2 1/2" from the top and bottom of the invitation or program. If the program or invitation is 5.5" high, use the 2 1/2" measurement, if it is shorter than that, use the 2" measurement.
The reason that we recommend organza ribbon instead of satin is because it it easier to handle and it lays better when inserted in an envelope. You want to use 3/8" to 7/8" ribbon of any type--it should not be either narrorer or wider than that. While we do sell organza ribbon because we offer a wide variety of colors, we chose to offer it because we felt it was superior to satin, and we could offer it at a good price. If you have decided on standard colors, it is available at any fabric store.
