Each stationery element is letterpress printed for the text and with a beautiful blind inkless impression for the logo initials.  It utilizes one of the Strathmore sheets we really like for letterpress – 110lb Strathmore Cover Bristol. This sheet has a bit of tooth to the finish and takes a crisp impression. Plus there are matching text weights sheets.

The business cards are scored an fold open to present the contact information. The warm gray flood of color was offset printed (inside of folder, back of letterhead and business cards and insides of envelopes). When we manage production of a business stationery system, usually any offset printing is sent out and completed first. This allows us to properly plan full size press sheets. For instance, this project was able to combine the letterhead and envelope on the same offset sheet. Then we take the sheets back in house and complete the letterpress and finishing. And as this system shows, we do have the capability to letterpress print full size folders with our stationery system production.

This invitation set is housed within a mini custom die cut pocket folder which neatly organizes the various cards. The folder is printed with a tonal custom woodgrain pattern using a clear varnish ink on letterpress with heavy impression. A belly band is fitted to the exterior of the folder with a custom die cut shape. Two slits on the back side of the belly band interlock and buckle things together without glue or a sticker. Everything fits neatly into a standard A7 size envelope. Inside the folder the rsvp and reply envelope sit together and a details card is tucked behind.

The paper combination is beautiful as well. All of the invite cards and the band were letterpress printed together on a press sheet of 110lb cover weight Crane Lettra Pearl White, 100% cotton. (We’ve actually been printing lot more weddings this year with tonal whites rather than bright whites) The envelopes are The Cement Green color from French Paper Construction. The folder paper, also from French is the 100lb C Hot Fudge color from the Poptone line.

Costwise – adding a custom printed folder with a die cut belly band will easily double the cost of an invitation. Pieces like these take much additional production time and each die cut requires an additional press run. So although there is not a lot of color going down on the invitations- printing and cutting multiple elements, hand assembling mini folders, using multiple paper stocks, printing envelopes – production costs add up quickly. But the beauty from those production details add up to the spectacular elegance in this design.