There are various methods of printing invitations. They can vary
greatly in terms of cost and generally speaking, you get what you
pay for. Ask to see samples produced by the various methods
available and choose what you like and what fits in your budget.
Here are the four main methods.
ENGRAVING:
Engraving is the most elegant form of putting ink on paper. The paper is
"stapled" from the back by metal plates the printer creates that raise the
letters up off of the paper as they're printed. Unfortunately, you'll be
asked to pay extra fr all that elegance, so unless you have a very big
invitation budget, engraving may not be for you. You will almost certainly
have to sign on with a smaller printer (rather than one of the big national
operations) if you want to go this route.
THERMOGRAPHY:
Right now, the most popular way to put the ink on your invitation is
called "thermography." By using a special press that heats the ink, the
printer creates a raised-letter effect that is almost indistinguishable from
engraving. What is distinguishable, however, is the price, which is about
half the cost of engraving. (Most mass-produced invitations are done by
thermography these days.)
OFFSET PRINTING:
Offset printing, also known as flat printing, is the most common form
of printing. If you choose to do your invitations this way, you may have to
find a small private printer, since most of the big catalog manufacturers
are only set up for thermography. While some may consider the offset
method boring or unappealing (the letters aren't raised at all), it's the
only form of printing that allows you to work with multiple ink colors.
CALLIGRAPHY:
Calligraphy (that fancy formal script) is an up-and-coming approach in
the invitation world. If you've always admired the style of calligraphy, but
didn't think you could afford to have a calligrapher letter you invitations
by hand, recent developments may make you reconsider. Some printers
are now able to reproduce the look of calligraphy by using a
computerized font-a method that is considerably faster (and cheaper)
than the human hand. Any sadness you may feel over the
computerization of yet another art form is likely to be tempered by your
sudden ability to afford it. If you are interested in hiring a true
calligrapher, ask your local stationery store for referrals or check the
Yellow Pages.
