So you have a design you like and you want to print your wedding invitations yourself - you can do it! Here's a few tips from mavora.etsy.com
* PAPER
You want a nice card stock to start with. A slightly textured or a recycled card stock really stand out as the best wedding papers. I use 80 lb stock in my store. I've found 65 lb is just too flimsy and 110 lb is quite heavy but works as well. The internet has everything so look around - and feel free to buy samples. Almost every store has a place to buy just a few sheets or you can call them and arrange a sample to be sent so you don't have to buy a chunk of the wrong kind of paper. Paper says a lot! You want to to match your theme but not be so overwhelming that your guests can't read your invite.
* ENVELOPES and FOLDERS
Look at your local stationery store for great colored folders and envelopes with a deep V or online for recycled envelopes that match your recycled paper. Heads up: when you buy dark colored envelopes you cannot print on them at home and you run the risk of them rubbing off on your invites in the mail system. You can send yourself an invite as a test if you're worried. A test is also a good way to check on postage. Odd sizes (like squares) and stiff invites (with folders or a lot of extra inserts) will cost you a little more!
* PRINTING
If you're going with a printable invite that has a lot of deep rich colors (black and browns) your inkjet might just soak the paper too much trying to get the rich hue. But don't get down on your inkjet they do a lot of great colors and textures. And always play with your print settings. Borderless printing, photo printing, paper types; they all change the printer's product and some come out better then others - don't be afraid to lie to your printer either, try a lot of different settings, it just might work out. If it's not cutting it however think about asking Kinkos to make a color copy for you or take the file into thier laser printers.
* CUTTING
If you're purchasing an 8.5 x 11 print sheet take it to Kinkos or Office Depot to cut. They charge you a few bucks a cut for up to 100 sheets so it's going to be around $12.00 total and it will save you TIME, lots of time, compared to a personal scrapbooking cutter that cuts just one or two per stroke.
Good luck!
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