Wedding invitations are one of those things you want to be perfect. And rightly so, because this is the first message your guests receive about your day. The good news is that you do not need any magic for it - it is enough to calmly go through a few points before sending the files to print. This checklist will guide you step by step, so that no small detail slips away. Grab a cup of tea and let us begin.
- The most important thing is to check names, date, time and place - a typo here hurts the most.
- Make sure you have the full set of information: RSVP with a reply deadline and directions.
- Take care of the file technical side: bleeds, margins, resolution and the CMYK colour mode.
- Order a test print if you have the option - you will see the colours on paper.
- Count the number of copies with a little spare, so no one is left out.
Before we go into the details, one calming thought. Most mistakes in invitations are not big disasters - they are small oversights that are easy to catch when you know where to look. That is exactly what this list is for.
Start with the text - this is where typos hide
Check the content of the invitation first, because it carries the most important information. Read everything out loud, slowly. Reading aloud catches slips that the eye skips over in silence.
Pay special attention to four things: names, date, time and place. These must be flawless. Check the guests' names and your own letter by letter - the diminutive, the ending, the accented character. Compare the date with the calendar and make sure the day of the week matches the number. Check the ceremony time and the reception time separately, because they are easy to mix up. Copy the address from the map so that the street name and number are correct.
Ask someone outside the couple to read the text with fresh eyes. You both know the content by heart and your brain corrects errors on the fly. Someone seeing the invitation for the first time will catch what already escapes you.
Check that the information is complete
A beautiful invitation with something missing forces guests to ask questions. So make sure it is complete. Besides the date, time and place, it is worth adding a few practical things.
- RSVP with a deadline - write clearly by when and how to confirm attendance. Without a cut-off date, replies come in at the very last moment.
- Directions - a short note about how to get there, where to park or whether transport is arranged saves guests some stress.
- Extra details - if there is a specific dress code or a request instead of flowers, this is the place to mention it.
If there is a lot of information, consider a format that gives more room. Single-card invitations work great with concise, elegant content. When you want to lay everything out more comfortably or add a separate card with a map, reach for folded invitations, which give extra pages for details.
Take care of the technical side of the file
The text is ready, so it is time for how the file behaves in print. It sounds serious, but these are a few simple things worth ticking off.
Bleeds and margins
A bleed is a few-millimetre margin beyond the cut line, over which the background and graphics should extend. Thanks to it, no white strip appears at the edge after trimming. On the other hand, keep important text and the logo away from the very edge, so the blade does not touch them.
Resolution
Graphics and photos should have a resolution suitable for print, usually around 300 dpi at the target size. An image grabbed straight from the internet is often too small and on paper it will come out soft or jagged. It is better to check it now than to see a blurry ornament on the finished batch.
CMYK colour mode
The screen glows in RGB, and the print house works in CMYK. These are two different ways of describing colour, and when switching from one to the other, tones can shift slightly. If you prepare the file in CMYK from the start, you avoid surprises - especially with intense blues and greens, which behave differently in print.
If these terms sound unfamiliar, do not worry. We gathered them more simply in our guide on preparing files for print, and if in doubt you can also write to us through contact - we will point you to what to look at. And if you want a designer to check the file and send you a preview to approve, tick that option in the calculator when you order.
A wedding invitation does not have to be complicated. It has to be correct and sincere - the rest are details you check calmly, point by point.
Make a test print and count copies with a spare
Before you order the whole run, it is good to see one copy on paper. A test print shows the real colours, the paper texture and how the text sits at the actual size. On screen everything looks different than in your hand. This one step can save you disappointment with the whole batch.
Finally, the numbers. Count your guests, but order with a spare. A few extra copies come in handy as a keepsake, as a spare in case one gets smudged, and for a guest you remember at the last minute. Reprinting a few single copies later is often less worthwhile than adding them to the first order, so it is better to have a small reserve right away.
A short checklist at the end
Let us gather everything in one place, so you can tick off point by point before sending to print:
- Names, date, time and place - checked letter by letter.
- Complete information: RSVP with a deadline and directions.
- Text read out loud and by someone from outside.
- Bleeds and margins set, important elements away from the edge.
- Graphics resolution suitable for print.
- File in CMYK mode.
- Test print viewed on paper.
- Run counted with a small spare.
That is all. When these points line up, you can send the invitations to print with a calm mind. If you are just starting and want the full picture from idea to finished batch, take a look at our guide on how to create wedding invitations step by step. And if you want to dive into the file technique itself, we have a separate text on bleeds and preparing files for print. We keep our fingers crossed for beautiful invitations and an even more beautiful day.
