Prestige invitations

What Prestige folded invitations are

A Prestige folded invitation is made from one sheet which, once printed, is creased and folded down to the chosen format.

Unlike a single-sheet invitation, it gives you several surfaces to use. The front can carry a monogram, a logo or the name of the event, the inside the wording of the invitation, and the back extra information, a map or contact details.

What sets the Prestige version apart is above all the paper. Decorative stocks have a colour, texture and way of reflecting light of their own. They can be pearlescent, metallic, felt-marked, ribbed or linen-like in structure.

As a result the design does not need a lot of decoration. Well chosen typography, a calm text layout, a monogram or a single ornament are often enough, because much of the effect comes from the stock itself.

Folding and creasing

Before the invitation is folded we crease it, that is prepare a precise line for the future fold.

On the stiffer, textured Prestige papers that matters especially. Without creasing, thicker board could crack unattractively or break unevenly at the fold.

The crease marks the right line and lets the invitation be folded evenly, without damaging the surface by accident.

The fold also has to be allowed for while designing. Names, important text, logos, QR codes and other fine details should sit a suitable distance from the crease, so that folding the card does not affect their look or legibility.

Where Prestige invitations work

The folded form and the decorative paper suit events where the invitation is part of the whole presentation.

You can use them for:

• weddings - from classic and minimalist to glamour and botanical,
• communions, christenings, jubilees, anniversaries and birthdays,
• galas, banquets and tasting dinners,
• company events and VIP meetings - conferences, product launches, venue openings and meetings with business partners,
• hotel and restaurant events, where the invitation should match a more distinguished brand character.

The folded form works especially well when, besides the basic information, you also have to give the programme, the RSVP, a map, a QR code or other practical details.

Fold formats

In the calculator we describe the format as sheet before folding → format of the finished card after folding.

Six versions are available:

• A5 → A6 - the classic, practical format. Folded, you get a handy A6 card with room for a cover and a legible inside. A versatile choice for wedding and company invitations.
• 2×A6 → A6 (landscape) - a landscape card that suits wider illustrations, photographs and panoramic compositions.
• 2×DL → DL (landscape) - a slim, elongated format in landscape. It goes well with modern company, hotel and more distinguished invitations.
• 2×DL → DL (portrait) - an elongated card in portrait. It suits vertical typography, botanical motifs and longer information placed inside.
• 30×15 → 15×15 - folding produces a 15×15 cm square. This decorative form looks good with a central monogram, an illustration or a more symmetrical composition.
• 240×170 → 120×170 mm - a 240×170 mm sheet folded in half down to 120×170 mm. The finished card is taller than it is wide, gives more room than DL and still fits a typical envelope.

When choosing the format, consider the amount of text, how the information is arranged, the style of the event and the envelope.

Families of decorative paper

There are more than a dozen decorative paper versions to choose from. They differ in colour, weight, structure and sheen.

You will find the full list of stocks currently available in the calculator. Below are the main families.

ICEBLINK cream linen 250 gsm

A warm cream paper with a pronounced linen-like structure.

It has a calm, classic character and suits wedding, communion and family invitations, especially with sparer artwork.

STARDREAM 285 gsm

The family of pearlescent and metallic papers:

• OPAL - a subtle pearl sheen,
• SILVER - a cooler, metallic character,
• CRYSTAL - a light, elegant stock,
• GOLD - a stronger, decorative effect suited to galas, banquets and more ceremonial events.

STARDREAM works well where the sheen of the paper is meant to be one of the main elements of the whole design.

RIVES Shetland Natural 250 gsm and 350 gsm

A paper with a natural, decorative structure.

The 250 gsm version is lighter, while the 350 gsm one gives a stiffer, more solid card. RIVES goes well with wedding and minimalist invitations and designs with a more natural character.

DALI 285 gsm

A paper with delicate, regular ribs.

It comes in several shades:

• perla,
• candido - white,
• camoscio - light corn,
• Ghaccio - light grey,
• verde pino - a bold green.

The lighter versions suit classic and formal invitations, while verde pino goes well with botanical, artistic and more strongly coloured designs.

MODIGLIANI 260 gsm

Papers with a soft, felt-marked surface.

They come in the candido, camoscio, perla and bianco shades. Their texture suits wedding, family, artistic and more decorative invitations.

CHAGALL Bianco 260 gsm

A light paper with a delicate, felt-marked surface.

It is a calm, elegant stock for wedding, communion, family and company invitations.

Double-sided printing

We print Prestige folded invitations always on both sides, in full colour.

That lets you use all the surfaces created once the sheet is folded:

• The cover - names, a monogram, a logo, artwork or the name of the event.
• The inside - the wording of the invitation, the date, the time, the place, the RSVP, the schedule, the dress code or a QR code.
• The back - contact details, a map, a website address or the host's logo.

When preparing the design, remember that the colour and texture of the paper affect the look of the print.

On pearlescent, metallic, felt-marked or ribbed stocks the colours can look different than on classic white coated paper. That is why legible designs with the right contrast and not too many fine details work particularly well.

The Prestige effect without lamination

We do not laminate Prestige invitations.

In this category the decorative finish comes from the paper itself. The pearl quality, metallic sheen, felt-marked surface, fine ribs or linen structure are most visible and most easily felt when they are left without an extra layer.

Film would change the surface of the paper, smooth its texture and affect the way it reflects light.

So on Prestige invitations we build the look above all with the kind of paper, the typography, the colours and well chosen details.

Personalising invitations

Prestige folded invitations can be personalised.

In the calculator you choose the option No or Yes. With personalisation, one design can carry different details on each copy.

The variables can include:

• the names of the people invited,
• forms of address,
• a note about a companion,
• the name of a company or institution,
• the table number,
• a VIP marking,
• the category of invitation,
• an individual code,
• a QR code leading to the RSVP.

One design and a tidy list of data are needed for this.

The easiest way is to prepare it as a table where one row is one invitation and the columns hold the successive fields, for instance first name, surname, companion, table number or code.

When designing the space for the variable data, allow for longer first names and surnames too. Double-barrelled surnames in particular can take up far more room than a short sample text.

How to match the paper to the design

For calm wedding, communion and family invitations, light papers suit well, such as ICEBLINK cream linen, STARDREAM OPAL, STARDREAM CRYSTAL, RIVES Shetland Natural, DALI candido, MODIGLIANI candido or bianco, and CHAGALL Bianco.

For galas, banquets and VIP events you can consider the bolder metallic papers: STARDREAM GOLD, SILVER or CRYSTAL.

On artistic and botanical designs, stocks with a stronger colour and structure also work well, for instance DALI verde pino or MODIGLIANI camoscio.

On the darker and metallic papers, the right text size and good contrast matter especially. Small letters and thin lines can be less legible than on a light, smooth stock.

What to put on the invitation

The folded form gives plenty of room to organise the information.

An invitation most often carries:

• the hosts' names,
• the name of the event,
• the date and time,
• the place and address,
• the RSVP,
• a QR code,
• the schedule,
• the dress code,
• contact details,
• a logo,
• a monogram or initials.

The extra surfaces can also be used for a map or other information for guests.

A Prestige invitation can be part of a larger stationery set. In the same style you can prepare envelopes, place cards, menus, a seating plan, RSVP cards and thank-yous for guests.

A shared paper and a similar design help keep the whole set looking consistent.

How to prepare the file, and the check

The design is best prepared as a PDF that follows our specification, in CMYK. Raster artwork should be at 300 dpi at 1:1 scale.

If a background or artwork runs to the edge, add the right amount of bleed. Move names, text, the logo, a QR code and other important elements away both from the cutting line and from the crease line.

On a folded design you also have to allow correctly for:

• the format of the sheet before folding,
• the format of the finished card,
• the position of the crease,
• the direction of folding,
• the order in which the surfaces are read.

When you place the order you choose one of three file preparation options:

• No file check - for agencies, designers and anyone confident the design is technically correct. The file goes straight into production.
• File check by a designer - we check the format, bleed, safe distances and colours. On folded invitations we also check the crease line and the contrast of the design on the decorative paper chosen.
• Simple graphic design - if you have no file ready, send us a logo or monogram, the wording of the invitation, the date, the place, contact details and the list for personalisation. We will prepare a simple design matched to the format and paper you chose.

The technical check does not cover the content. We do not check whether names, dates or the guest list are correct. The customer is responsible for that information.

You choose the fold format, the decorative paper, the personalisation, the file preparation option and the run size in the online calculator, which shows the price of your configuration straight away.