"R" IS FOR ROUNDED CORNERS

Rounded corners soften an invitation and add an elegant finish to any print project. There are ways to get rounded corners in the production world, but remember, everything that comes out of Originals Paper Art is done by hand.

"R" IS FOR ROUNDED CORNERS

I rounded all four corners on the calligraphy invitation to highlight the lines of the writing and soften the hard corners in order to compliment the elegance of the handmade paper. The pink favor label has two rounded corners on the bottom which softens the transition from the label to the curvy contents. And finally, the jelly tags are for small jelly jars and the long curvy graphic screams for rounded corners on opposite corners. Do you see it? Do you love it?

FOR THE LOVE OF PAPER. Originals Paper Art.

"K" IS FOR KISS.

Custom invitations can be beautiful and elegant by using the KISS method: Keep It Simple Stationery! Just because you can do anything imaginable with your wedding stationery doesn't mean you should. Often times the most amazing invitations are derived from simple details.

I absolutely love this invitation from 2009. The groom hand wrote the original invitation in calligraphy and then I scanned, scaled, positioned, kerned and fixed leading where necessary (gotta love technology). The invitation is printed on a very heavy 110# cover stock, corner rounded, wrapped with delicate handmade paper and then secured with a satin ribbon knot. So simple, elegant, romantic and personal.

"K" IS FOR KISS (KEEP IT SIMPLE STATIONERY)

"C" IS FOR CALLIGRAPHY

The romantic side of me still believes in hand addressing an envelope, especially one that's delivering a wedding invitation. Your invitation instantly sets the tone of your wedding day to guests... make it a memorable one with calligraphy.

"C" IS FOR CALLIGRAPHY

There are a variety of ways I recommend incorporating calligraphy into your wedding stationery: 1) hand write a master version of your invitation in calligraphy and reproduce it; 2) using the same script, hand address your invitation envelopes; and 3) bring it all together by addressing your place cards for the reception. A beautifully branded ensemble using calligraphy. Can you see it?

"A" IS FOR ASSEMBLY

I just received my Spring 2012 Martha Stewart Weddings magazine and they inspired me to do my own  Wedding Stationery from A-Z. A is for Assembly. Most of my invitation designs require some amount of assembly and you have the option of hiring me to do it or doing it yourself.

The invitation below required collating the information cards, securing the cards in position with a wrap and adhesive, and then sealing the wrap shut with a wax seal. Every ensemble is different, some are quick and easy to assemble while others are time consuming and require attention to detail.  

"A" IS FOR ASSEMBLY

Take a look at some of my designs under the INVITATIONS tab and see if you can define all of the assembly steps. Assembly is often a big difference between catalog and custom. Check it out.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ORIGINAL?

You found the right designer! This may come as an unusual statement, but here goes, I suggest you shop around for invitations and when the "ah-ha" moment strikes you that what you're looking for doesn't exist in a catalog, come back to Originals Paper Art and we'll design exactly what you want and need! It's all in the personal details... see for yourself!

Traditional  ::  Monochromatic  ::  Handmade Paper + Ribbon  ::  Custom Calligraphy

Contemporary  ::  Red and Chocolate Brown  ::  Sealing Wax  ::  Custom Map

Natural Beauty  ::  Brown and Ivory  ::  Handmade Paper + Twigs  ::  Custom Assembly

HAND ADDRESSED ENVELOPES

Hand addressed envelopes are thee icing on the cake when it comes to invitations! Think about it. What grabs your attention the most when you thumb through the mail—an envelope with an Avery label generated using mail merge (you know the look), an envelope that's been printed using a standard font from your computer, OR a beautiful, hand addressed, keepsake envelope?

Below are some of my recent calligraphy assignments and definition of each. See more real wedding samples under the Calligraphy tab and read about the details under The Process tab.

Formal Calligraphy with White Ink and Dipping Pen

Casual Script with Black Fine Tip Sharpie

Formal Script with Black Fine Tip Sharpie

THE DEFINITION OF "WHITE SPACE"

I use white space a lot in my designs and often find myself explaining this odd use of space to my clients. So today I decided to share with everybody. This is the definition of white space according to WIKIPEDIA:

In page layout, illustration and sculpture, white space is often referred to as negative space. It is that portion of a page left unmarked: the space between graphics, margins, gutters, space between columns, space between lines of type or figures and objects drawn or depicted. The term arises from graphic design practice, where printing processes generally use white paper.

White space should not be considered merely 'blank' space — it is an important element of design which enables the objects in it to exist at all, the balance between positive (or non-white) and the use of negative spaces is key to aesthetic composition.

When space is at a premium, such as some types of magazine, newspaper, and yellow pages advertising, white space is limited in order to get as much vital information on to the page as possible. A page crammed full of text or graphics with very little white space runs the risk of appearing busy, cluttered, and is typically difficult to read. Some designs compensate for this problem through the careful use of typeface.

Judicious use of white space can give a page a classic, elegant, or rich appearance. For example, upscale brands often use ad layouts with little text and a lot of white space. Inexpert use of white space can make a page appear incomplete.

For publication designers, white space is very important. Publications can be printed on a various of amount of different papers, those of which can have different colors, textures, etc. In these cases, white space is used for good presentation and showcasing the different stocks used.

The use of white space in a wedding invitation.

FOR THE LOVE OF PAPER: The next time you're looking at an invitation ensemble, a magazine layout or an advertisement, see if you spot any white space in the design. It's actually pretty fun!

THE ART OF ENVELOPE ADDRESSING

"You found the wedding invitation of your dreams and are faced with the decision of how to address the envelopes. We have the perfect workshop for you! Please join us for an intimate calligraphy lesson combined with etiquette tips and template tricks for extraordinary envelopes. You will leave with an envelope addressing packet to ensure you have what's needed when it comes time to address your own envelopes."

I'll be teaching this fun workshop at PAPER SOURCE Bellevue on Saturday, February 25th from 11:00-1:00. If you are interested in learning calligraphy or addressing your own wedding envelopes, don't delay... sign up today, we're anticipating a full class. Why not grab your best friend and make it a day!?

Create beautiful envelopes, personal thank yous and original artwork.