How to Make Invitations

Invitations are more than just polite. Invitations give your guests a taste of what's to come. Elegant invitations hint at a party's decorum, while colorful cheeky invites let them know your party is all about fun. Making your own invitations is a great way to put your personal style into the party planning. The colors and motifs of your invites should be threaded throughout the party itself. Read on to learn how to make invitations.

Instructions

1. Play with fonts, sizes, colors and clip art images on your computer. You can download different fonts and images from the Internet to enhance your card. Print your cards out onto quality card stock.

2. Stamp your own invitations. Using color card stock, color ink pads, rubber stamps, and embellishments like buttons, ribbons and eyelets you can create pretty invitations that reflect your style. The key is to create a design you like and then reproduce it assembly-line style. Cut out all the paper sizes you'll need, then stamp, then assemble and stuff each card into a matching envelope.

3. Say "cheese." Use photographs to create unique invitations. Kodak offers a fun picture puzzle you can use as an invitation or you can print sayings onto your favorite pictures and order enough for each invitation. Use the picture as the front of your invitation and embellish as you like.

4. Pick up an invitation kit. Staples and various online vendors offer package deals where you can purchase all the pieces to the cards, but it's your job to print and assemble the invitations. It's harder to tailor these to match your individual style, but they can save you a lot of money.

5. Print out invite templates from the Internet. Real Simple magazine has several you can print for free. Adhere these to a backing of colored card stock, fill them out, and stick them into a matching colored envelope. No one will know you didn't make it yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for a stamp that says "You're Invited" or some with lines for all the information to be written out by hand. If you want a more formal look, type the party information on a word processor in the font and size you want and print it on card stock. You can paste the information into the inside of a colored card or decorate the outside of the printed card stock.

Resources

• Real Simple Magazine Website
• Source for Invitations
• Kodak Website
• Hand Stamped Invitation Cards