Design Guide
Lucky Note Design’s Semi-Custom Invitations
Flexible Features
• Ink Colour
• Paper & Envelope Colour
• Paper Thickness
• Text
• Print Method/s
• Card orientation, shapes & sizes
Fixed Features
• Artwork
• Typefaces
• General Layout
Custom Add-ons
• Printed Addressing
• Solid coloured or custom Envelope Liners
• Belly-bands (to package the entire invitation ensemble together)
• Adhesive labels (for return address on envelopes, to seal envelopes, wedding favours etc.)
•Wax Seals
•Silk Ribbon
•Paper Clips
•Brush Lettering
Printing & Finishing Methods
Lucky Note Design mainly uses digital, white ink, digital gold or silver & metallic, letterpress and hot foil stamp printing methods which are outlined below. All of these printing process can be combined or used alone. We have sample packs curated with a mix of invitation samples using different printing methods so you can see the different printing methods applied for yourself. If you’re interested in any other printing techniques or finishes please don’t hesitate in enquiring with me!
Quinne Invitation Suite digitally printed on Gmund paper stocks with Heirloom envelope in Wild Rose
Digital Printing
The digital or flat printing process is the most affordable process involving printing from a digital file on a computer directly onto paper, which results in a flat image with no texture. Digital printing is not limited to the number of colours you can use so it is a great way to reproduce scanned imagery or photography.
• Fastest turnaround
• Least expensive
• Cost effective to print low quantities
• Great at achieving subtle colour changes and design variations
• Difficult to print on very heavy weight paper stocks
Wedding invitation printed in white ink on Buffalo Board (kraft paper)
White Ink Printing
White ink printing uses white ink instead of using the standard CMYK colours (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) on a digital press. White ink looks great on specialty coloured card and creates a striking reversed look. It is only marginally more expensive than CMYK digital printing.
• Fast turnaround
• Inexpensive
• Works well on coloured or dark paper stock
DIGITAL GOLD, SILVER & METALLIC PRINTING
Digital gold, silver and metallics uses shimmery metallic dry toner to lay down digital images directly onto paper/card without a need for expensive printing plates, negatives or blocks. This means you can print variable data and shorts runs with a quicker turnaround. If you’re after the metallic look but don’t have the budget for hot foil this might be a good alternative. Keep in mind they are two very different processes and don’t look at all the same. Please check if your paper choice is suitable for this process as only certain colours and stocks work.
• Fast turnaround
• Inexpensive compared to hot foil
The Polly Suite invitation digital gold printed on Cushion stock
Sally Invitation, letterpress printed on cotton paper in Fluoro White 300gsm
Letterpress printing
Letterpress printing is a centuries-old technique in which ink is applied to a raised plate design and then pressed into paper resulting in a beautiful textured impression and tactile quality. This process is ideal for typography and line work and looks extremely luxe with thick cotton stock (600gsm is ideal)! There is a minimum run of 50 units for this process
• Wonderful texture and feel
• Longer turnaround time
• Not ideal for large solid fields of colour
• Light ink on dark stocks and double sided printing not recommended
• More expensive than digital printing (price increases with 2nd and 3rd ink colours)
Save the Date Card with copper foil on Heirloom paper in Wild Rose
Hot Foil Stamping
The foil stamping process is somewhat similar to letterpress, in that the colour is applied to paper with pressure. Metallic foil is very popular as it’s a great way to achieve that shiny, lustrous effect that other printing techniques cannot. It’s also available in solid coloured glossy and matte finishes. Foil is an opaque medium (unlike ink) so metallic or light coloured foil works well on darker or coloured papers. There is a minimum run of 50 units for this process
• Impactful high shine finish (metallic foil stamping) and indentation
• Most expensive printing process
• Longer turnaround time
Edge foiling
Other printing & finishes available:
•Offset Printing (with Pantone or PMS inks; accurate colour matching; superior quality, flat matte finish on uncoated paper; NB a different range of papers is available for this printing process as a different printer is used)
• Embossing (creates a beautiful three-dimensional effect. Two custom-made plates are applied with pressure to squeeze and raise the surface of the paper; light-medium coloured paper stocks for legibility is recommended; usually paired with digital print, letterpress or foil for smaller text)
• Debossing (blind letterpress using no ink)
• Edge foiling (Looks best on paper 500 GSM or more; Does not work on full bleed digitally printed designs or artwork that is going to be die cut; A minimum of 100 units is required
•Duplexing (two layers of paper stuck together) - great for digital printing if you desire a thicker stock or want different coloured stock on either side
• Rounded corners
• Die cutting
Paper
We offer a wide range of different premium paper stocks in a variety of textures, colours and thicknesses. Use the same colour or mix it up for your invitation pieces! At Lucky Note Design we are committed to using environmentally friendly paper stocks that are acid free, pH-neutral and FSC® certified.
Below are the most popular paper stocks. Swatches marked with a (*) denotes textured stock; (†) extra cost. Please note that dark colour stocks require white printing, digital gold or silver, or hot foil stamping.
Can’t see any paper you like? See here to view the full range of paper swatches available. Please note that dark colour stocks require white printing or hot foil stamping. I’m happy email photos of colour comparisons and texture close ups.
If you’re after offset printing using PMS colour ink/s (results in accurate colour matching and a flat matte finish) see here for the offset printing paper swatches and colour palettes.
Colour Palettes
You’ve come to the right place if you need some colour inspo! It's really important to get your colour palette right as colour is an integral part of design. It evokes emotions, grabs the viewer's attention and sets the mood for your event or wedding.
I like to offer ALL the paper options, but I understand that it can be overwhelming nailing down a paper/colour selection for your invitation suite, so I've curated a diverse range of colour and paper card combinations to help you out, from the prettiest pastels and lovely neutrals to vibrant hues and unique colour combos. So whether you're planning a casual wedding by the seaside or a contemporary black tie event, you should find a colour story to suit your vision. You may decide to use just two or three of the swatches, or all of the options in the colour concept you choose. Colours can also be used as text or illustration.
If you’re after offset printing using PMS colour ink/s which results in accurate colour matching and a flat matte finish see here for the offset printing colour palettes.
I’m happy to suggest other paper combinations and email photos of colour comparisons and texture close ups. Get in touch and I'll be happy to assist you in creating your own unique palette.
Acrylic Swatches
Check out the 47 acrylic colours available for your wedding signage and accessories such as place cards, coasters, luggage tags, drink tags and stirrers! Invitations and menus can also be printed (price upon request).
Swatches marked with a (*) denotes matte/glossy finish either side; (†) denotes frost finish (transparent & matte both sides unless marked); (ˆ) denotes glossy both sides.
Acrylic pieces are printed with LED-UV ink. Please specify if you would like to print on the matte or glossy side; & if you would like black, white or CMYK ink.
Other colours are available upon request (this may incur a 10-20% premium). Complex laser cutting may incur an extra fee.
Card/Sign Sizes & Shapes
Standard Paper
Lucky Note Design’s standard card sizes and shapes can be printed single and double sided. You can also choose to get them with rounded corners or edge painted/foiled. The standard size for welcome signs and seating charts are A1 (594x841mm) but can be fabricated in any size or shape. Bar signs are usually A4 (210x297) and come with a rear strut
Die Cut Shapes
Looking for a more unique and interesting shaped invitation, menu, table number or sign for your wedding? We offer a range of different die cut shapes in various sizes. Please note the 170mm circle, hexagon, octagon and dodecagon shapes do not come with matching envelopes. They are popular size and shape for menus to be placed on dinner plates.
Die cut shapes can not be edge painted or edge foiled and can not be printed double sided.
Please note not all suites may be customised to a different orientation or to a particular shape.
Place Cards, Escort Cards, Mini Cards & swing tags
Below are our standard and die cut cards in the perfect size for place cards, escort cards and mini cards (used in the invitation suite for gift registries, wedding websites or any other information you do not want to clutter the main invitation with; can be used in lieu of the details card if you do not have a lot of extra information eg. just a wedding website url).
Swing tags add that extra something special to your invitations or wedding favours. Add your guests’ names or your monogram and wedding date to a swing tag and use it with some baker’s twine or ribbon to combine all your invitation pieces together or use it on your wedding favours. You could place your wedding bombonieres on your reception tables to double as place cards!
Hot Foil Stamping
Complete your wedding invitation’s look with the lustrous effect of foil! Our foil colours look especially luxe on coloured or cotton card stock and can be used for edge foiling as well. The Gold and Silver colours are also available in matt. These foil colours are the most popular - enquire about our other colours!
Envelopes
We offer three styles of envelopes - Euro flap, iflap (not pictured), and Wallet flap which all come in various sizes. Our C5 (229x162mm) envelopes suit our A5 size invitations which can be posted in Australia for the cost of a large letter. Our 125x180mm invitations/details cards and A6 reply cards fit our 190x135mm and C6 (114x162mm) envelopes respectively, which can be posted in Australia for the cost of a standard letter. Nearly all of the paper stocks above are available in envelopes and envelope liners.
Please note envelopes particular paper stocks are subject to availability.
Envelope liners are delivered flat ready for gluing by the customer, or can come assembled at extra cost.
Euro flap envelope
Wallet Flap envelope
Embellishments
Embellishments are like jewellery for your stationery! Don’t forget those finishing touches to make your stationery unforgettable. Complete your invitation or tablescape’s look with wax seals, personalised ribbon, belly bands, envelope liners, drink tags… the list goes on! You may have some other ideas for paper goodies up your sleeve such as stickers, coasters & cocktail napkins. Please enquire if you are interested in elevating your stationery.
