Printing methods and papers
A guide to some of the processes and techniques available in the production of wedding stationery
Printing
Letterpress - Traditional metal type leaving an impression on the paper where it has printed.
Litho-printing - Four colour printing used on generic wedding invitations, your details are printed on separate sheets and inserted.
Pantone - Printing one or two colour designs, matching specific colours or printing with special inks such as silver and gold.
Digital - Four colour printing for bespoke stationery - great quality but limited paper stocks can be used.
Finishing
Embossing - where a design is imprinted into the paper in relief.
Foil blocking - where areas are imprinted with high-shine metallic foil.
Die-cut - where areas are either cut out from the invite, like a circle, or the edges of the invite are cut in a specific pattern, like a curve.
Edges - where the edges of the card are treated with everything from foil (silver or gold), deckled (used on textured paper where the edges are left rough) and bevelled (edges are cut on a slant)
Paper
Gloss - coated paper treated with a high gloss finish
Smooth (coated) - clean and crisp with a smooth wove
Un-coated - a slightly rough texture, colour printing appear matt
Laid - textured and tactile, with various textures are available
Embossed - un-coated paper embossed with patterns - dots, pinstripe, leather-effect etc
Pearlescent - papers with an iridescent sheen in various colours
Translucent - like tracing paper, but whiter and higher quality with varying degrees of opacity
Folding
4page traditional folding - folded on the vertical or horizontal for a traditional card
Gatefold - cut down the middle of the invitation, the two pieces folding out to reveal the design inside
Consetena - folded over on itself, at least 3 times
Sizes
A6 - 105mm x 148.5mm (fits in C6 envelope)
A5 - 148.5mm x 210mm (fits in C5 envelope)
A4 - 210mm x 297mm (fits in C4 envelope)
A3 - 297mm x 420mm
A2 - 420mm x 594mm
A1 - 594mm x 840mm
Envelopes
Diamond flap - traditional envelope with the flap cut in a diamond
Wallet - a square flap either on the horizantal or vertical edge, gummed or self-seal
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