DIY Wedding Invitations Part 2: Supplies
STEP 2: SUPPLIES
Now that you’ve got a solid vision and design in mind (if you don’t, go back and read Part 1: Vision + Design), it’s time to start gathering supplies.
It can be so tempting to race out to the craft store and stock up on allllllthhheeethings you could possibly need to create hand-made stationery, but pump the breaks! In my studio, I own three printers, two heat process machines, heat presses, dozens of wax seal stamps, every color of the rainbow in sealing wax, more ribbon that you can possibly imagine, industrial cutters, corner punches, eyelet setters and a gazzilion other tools, bits, and bobs.
YOU DO NOT NEED ALL OF THAT. I promise!
Let me break down the “must haves”:
High Quality Paper
Ink Jet Printer (a laser is nice, too, only if you already have one)
Embellishments
Self- Sharpening Guillotine (also called “Bypass”) Cutter
I am not exaggerating when I tell you I’ve had the same Fiskars paper cutter for 12 years and NEVER replaced or sharpened the blade. I’ve used it almost every day. Admittedly, it could use a new blade now, but it’s just started slowing down. Since mine is a dinosaur, this one is the closest to what I have. Here is what to look for:
at least 12” paper size- that is big enough for most home crafters
safety latches to keep the blade in place when storing to preventing injury
self-sharpening blade (it will last forever)
rulers and guides in two planes (meaning up and down and side to side)
Bonus- scoring lines
Quality Scissors
If you’re a frequent DIYer, then you know the value of a good pair of scissors. I have probably a dozen pair within reach in my studio at any one time. The cardinal rule is NEVER EVER EVER on pain of DEATH use fabric scissors on paper. Paper is actually a very coarse texture and can dull a scissor blade in one cut. So mark them, or keep them separate, but don’t use fabric scissors on your stationery except on ribbon.
When working with paper, the details matter so a crummy pair of scissors will fray ribbon and gouge paper, so this is one area that’s worth the investment. This is the gold standard classic Fiskars pair that you may even already own and they’re under $10. I have tried a few brands over the years but I keep coming back to the Fiskars (I swear this is NOT a sponsored post they just make a great product). I definitely recommend at least an 8” size. I do have several pairs of these little guys that are great for finishing work like trimming twine or dried flowers and bonus, they’re super cute.
Red Pen
This one is going to be important when we get into the process of printing and proofing your DIY invitations. I personally love the Amazon Felt Tip Pens, I have this exact set with one in every color, but really and truly any red pen will do, you probably have one in your junk drawer.
High Quality Paper
Paper can be complicated. There are thousands of textures, weights, and sizes. Card stock, cover stock, text weight it can make your head spin! They also come in hundreds of different colors and finishes, the possibilities are darn near endless. When I say “High Quality” I don’t mean you need to buy the absolute nicest paper money can buy (even I can’t do that!), but you can be thoughtful about getting the right weight and texture. Paper is actually going to have to be a whole separate blog post, but the basic gist is the anything that is “card stock” is thicker and “text weight” is your thin paper like copy paper. Personally, I use card stock for my invitation, reply, and details cards and text weight for my envelope liners.
Most paper suppliers are happy to send you samples for free or for a small charge so don’t be shy about ordering one or a few pieces to see what you like. While I won’t give away all my suppliers (we have more than a dozen sources), I do love Botanical Paper Works for seed paper which we get requests for all the time. I also have a great partnership with Cards and Pockets in Boston. They have a ton of great DIY kits and a huge variety of colors making them a great resource for DIYers and pros alike and their customer service is amazing.
DIY kits can be a great option if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Here are just a couple of Amazon finds:
Vellum Jackets with Babies Breath + Gold Wax Seals
Ink Jet Printer
I have a love/hate relationship with printers. I do so many different print processes and materials in my studio that I need a whole collection of printers and only one works properly at any given time (it’s a conspiracy I swear!). Believe me, if I had secrets to making printers behave I would be a billionaire. I digress.
The most useful and versatile printer I’ve ever owned is the Cannon Pixma. This thing is simple, but it’s a workhorse! My current model is about 4 years old and still runs like a dream. It can handle reasonably thick paper in a variety of textures. If you’re planning on DIYing all your wedding stationery, this might be worth the $300 price tag (which is my world is a steal).
If you already happen to have a color laser printer, these are best for printing on vellum and envelopes. You can still do both in in the ink jet, but the vellum will need to dry before you assemble your invites and envelopes are prone to smudges from the rollers and if the ink gets even a hint of moisture it can smear.
This is controversial, but I am all for buying off-brand ink. For me it’s been a lot of trial and error to find supplies that work best for my needs, but don’t feel like you need to spend hundreds on name-brand ink or toner no matter what the manual tells you.
One last note- from a professional designer- if you are a Mac user be prepared to be frustrated. I have yet to find Mac printer drivers that behave. If you have a partner that’s a PC user or access to one, design on Mac but print from the PC instead. I literally have a PC laptop that just functions as a pinter terminal in my studio.
Double Sided Tape Gun + Refills
I will admit, inflation hit the retail price of this one hard, so it may be a “nice to have” now, but I use mine every day. It makes assembling invitations a breeze! This model, the Scotch ATG Gun is the best I’ve owned and I’ve tested a few (it also comes in pink, guess which one I have!). It’s simple and easy to use once you get use to it, and the handle makes it ergonomic vs. the little dispensers, though I would use those vs. any kind of roll of double stick tape.
I do buy “generic” double sided tape refills (these ones from Amazon) which does bring the investment down a bit. I buy them in bulk so that adds up for me.
I use double-sided tape on the following stationery tasks:
attaching layers together
to seal belly bands and wraps
attaching envelope liners
sealing envelopes (I have a love/hate relationship with moisteners and please do NOT lick your envelopes haha)
What you use for adhesive matters! Please, I’m begging you, do NOT reach for old school glue sticks or liquid. Those glues have high moisture contents and they can warp the paper and become brittle when dry. I do sometimes use rubber cement for fabrics or thick binding materials, but it’s overkill for most DIY projects.
If the price of my favorite model is prohibitive for you, I’ve also found this less industrial model and before I was a professional, I did use dispensers like these little ones.
Bone Scoring Tool
This is another “must have” that I use on almost every project, every day. A scoring tool is used to score your paper where you will fold it. It is essential to make sure you get crisp folds without damaging the paper. If you purchased a cutter with scoring lines on it, you’re all set! You can measure where you wish the line to be and then run your scoring tool along the groove. I do recommend getting the real bone ones if it doesn’t bother you. They’re much stronger. The plastic versions work just as well and truthfully is what I have in my studio, they just need to be replaced more often.
I use this scoring board in my studio. If you invested in a cutter with scoring lines you can live without it, but I score hundreds of items at a time, so a deeper and bigger board is necessary for me, but you might be able to get along without it.
Embellishments
These can vary based on what you’ve designed, but here are some of the embellishments my clients ask for over and over again!
Wax Seals, I recommend a low-temperature glue gun (I have two of these) and these affordable wax sticks (but in any color that works with your design). You can also search for a coordinating sealing stamp or have one custom made. This one is my personal favorite and I reach for it all the time!
Cotton twine, I use this natural one, this black one, or this black and white one most often. If you’re going rustic I like this thinner “jute",” or if you’re going more glam, I use this gold one, too.
Silk or Chiffon Ribbon, you can’t go wrong with white, but something blue or blush are gorgeous, too!
Vellum- this can be used as a wrap or a belly band. You can print on it or leave it blank. There are also lots of options that are pre cut and folded if you want to save a little time in assembly.
Make sure to measure and calculate what you’ll need plus extra for paper and embellishments and order it all at once. Supplies and inventory change daily on things, so order everything you need all at once or you might not be able to get more.
Next up “DIY Wedding Invitations Part 3: Printing + Assembly.”
In case you missed it, catch up on Part 1: Vision + Design.
As an Amazon affiliate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. All of the opinions and recommendations are 100% genuine and based on my experience as a stationer. I would never post a link or recommend a product I haven’t used or highly recommend.