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| Distinguishing Details |
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Finish
Traditional invitations have a smooth vellum finish.
Less traditional laid papers have a subtly ridged
texture. Cards can have indented panels; edges can
be beveled (cut on a slant) or deckled (rough). |
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Color
In the United States, wedding stationery is usually
ecru. White stock, quite common in Europe, is rarer
here but certainly available. |
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Typeface
The stationer will offer a selection of typefaces.
The oldest are generally the most formal; Shaded
Antique Roman and London Script, are particularly
popular for weddings. |
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Printing
Method
Several printing methods remain available, each
with its own process and effect. In engraving, letters
are etched into a metal plate, which is rolled with
ink, then wiped; ink remains in the etched lines.
The paper is pressed into the plate, leaving a raised
image and indentations on the reverse. Lithography
is another old method, originally involving stone
slabs and grease pencils. Updated, it is commonly
called litho, offset litho, or just offset, and
it produces a crisp, flat image. Through thermography,
lithography is treated to look like engraving. Heat-sensitive
powder is sprinkled onto the ink to form raised
letters, which are less fine than those that have
been engraved. Blind embossing uses plates to produce
raised images without ink. It is reserved for motifs,
monograms, and addresses on the flaps of envelopes. |
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| Until recently, letterpress
was the most common form of printing: Raised type
is inked and stamped on the paper (the effect is
almost the opposite of engraving). While large printing
plants have almost all converted to offset print
and computerized typesetting, small print shops
using letterpress can still be found and can be
the source of exquisite stationery. |
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Style
The wedding invitation announces the couple’s new
life. Its character—formal, informal, elegant, or
amusing—announces the newlyweds’ style. They should
take the time to choose papers, typefaces, colors,
and emblems that they love, then order the stationery.
At-home cards, correspondence cards (for writing
thank-you notes), household writing paper, and envelopes
can all carry the couple’s individual stamp. A motif
(printers call them ornaments) such as intertwined
dolphins is a lovely way to make a mark: Stationers
often stock a selection; printers can also make
them from a clean piece of artwork. |
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Other Printed
Items
Although you don’t have to order them all at once,
menus, place cards, table cards, and pew cards should
come from the same source as the invitations, to
ensure consistency of style and materials. Place
cards, which can be either flat or tented, are especially
lovely keepsakes for guests, especially when done
in calligraphy. |
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