Posts Tagged ‘invitations’

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Wedding Trends to Look for and Follow
Wedding Invitations that are both Smart and Stylish in the 2010’s

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Trends, styles and movements are changing at an incredible pace. Sometimes I think I am being hip and showing off my awesome cultural knowledge only to realize that I am about three months past the up-to-date news flash. Even still, in the world of wedding invitations I feel like I am on top of my game…most of the time.

When thinking about the brides of the 2010’s (I cannot believe I am already saying that) there are certainly going to be some serious changes in the way that invitations are designed, created and printed.

A trend that has picked up momentum in the wedding invitation industry is trying to go green wherever possible. From tree free paper to soy-oil inks, brides-to-be and printers alike are turning to eco-friendly alternatives that are no longer more expensive nor difficult to customize. Printing “au natural” as the saying goes, should be an option that every bride-to-be considers when thinking about invitations.

While some economists say the markets are beginning to turn upward again, I think the effects of this crisis will be longer lasting than just a year or two. That is why Do It Yourself and affordable beauty are becoming hotter topics than ever before. Today’s brides to be do not want to sacrifice on invitation style while at the same time cannot pay the premiums that some printers charge for letterpress wedding invitations.

Fortunately for you, no one needs to abandon their dreams of having exquisite invitations just yet. There are a variety of ways to aid in the wedding invitation creation process that can save you money.  Not all letterpress printers charge an arm and a leg. Look around, check out the internet, call your local printer. If you are serious about wanting to save money but weary of sacrificing quality, then request a sample from some of the less expensive letterpress printers and choose the one that not only fits your budget, but satisfies your desires.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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Letterpress in Literature
Dead Man’s Cell Phone

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Every summer I make it a point to visit the Ashland Shakespeare Festival at least once. Over the years I have seen most of the traditional Shakespearian plays performed, so this time I thought I would try something new. Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone is the delightful story of meaning and personal relationships in our crazy world of modern technology.

Letterpress in Literature <br/ > Dead Man’s Cell Phone Photo

There were a couple segments that dealt with both printing, letterpresses, stationery and life that I would like to share with you. There is certainly a level of wisdom and thought surrounding the printing process that Ruhl, who was not a printer, put into this play. Think about the words, ideas and implications of writing:

Dwight: All the digital–stuff–the information bits—flying through the air—no one wants to remember. People say I love you—on cell phones—and where does it go? No paper. Remembering requires paper…I work at a stationery store. I like paper.

Jean: I love stationery. Do you do monograms? And the embossed invitations?

Dwight: We do.

Jean: I love those! When you touch the invitations, it feels so nice. Creamy, and thick, and you can close your eyes and feel the words. I think heaven must be like an embossed invitation.

Dwight: Yes. Creamy, and flat and deep. Like skin. Or—heaven—you were saying about heaven?

Jean: I’ve never sent out an embossed invitation. But I’d like to. One day.

It is good to know that someone else gets as excited about invitations, monograms, embossed printing and beautiful stationery as we do. In a world of emails, websites and impersonal interaction, the power of the written word on paper has only increased.

When thinking about your wedding invitation sets, consider the impression they will make on your guests. Flat, lifeless, traditionally printed invitations are acceptable, but will never carry the same symbolic power and significance as a bold, textured, handcrafted letterpress invitation.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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Picking Professional Vendors to
Service Your Wedding Needs

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Brides to be, I understand your lives are busy. Whether your wedding is 5 days or 5 months away, it is important to manage your time wisely to prevent stress and anxiety that typically surrounds the wedding planning process.

As you may or may not have already discovered, there are several easy steps that any bride can take to ease their wedding planning worries.

My first suggestion would be to enlist the help of your closest friends, relatives and family members that are willing or have the time to help. Working with people whose company you enjoy, and whose ideas and suggestions you can trust, makes the task seem less daunting.

The second, less obvious recommendation involves the vendors you will be working with. While costs, convenience and availability typically dictate wedding planning decisions, don’t forget about the importance of quality professionals in the field.

At one of my cousin’s engagement parties a few years ago, she hired a less expensive, semi-pro photographer that unfortunately exemplified the term “semi.” While the photographer had an expensive, professional quality camera, she did not know how to use the settings properly and many of the most important pictures came out fuzzy. Luckily this did not happen at the wedding, but that experience made me realize that when it comes to your wedding, lower costs should not always be the deciding factor. You only have one chance to say “I do” and you cannot pose twice for that epic entire family dance floor experience.

To have fun, get the job done right the first time, and make the process as easy as possible, it is always wise to work with professionals. As Sindhu recently commented after receiving her completed invitation set, “Trish has been the most pleasant individual I have had to work with during this entire wedding planning process. There is no way I would have done it any other way.”

Sindhu Letterpress Wedding Invitations

Sindhu Letterpress Wedding Invitations

Working with internet-only invitation printers may be slightly cheaper, but the quality, value and service that professionally trained and experienced individuals brings to your wedding invitation is priceless.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

Coming up next:  Plan Your Wedding From Your iPhone The Mobile Bride Finds Her Freedom

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Letterpress Special – 100 Invitations & Enclosure Cards $398!

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Letterpress Special – 100 Invitations & Enclosure Cards $398!

Due to popular demand, we’ve extended our special offer!

Order (or simply place your deposit) by July 31, 2009 and receive 100 letterpress wedding invitations with blank envelopes and 100 enclosure cards for only $398!

Details:

Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

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What You Want, When You Want It
Letterpress Wedding Invitations For You

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

We work hard. Folding flyers, cutting paper, running presses, designing works of art as well as business pieces, suffice to say we have our hands full. As you have probably experienced at your own jobs, whenever one project ends another seems to be due tomorrow. It is not so bad though, we keep busy and enjoy each other’s company so I never really have a chance to be bored.

Sometimes when a job is running in the press room I can hear the inks spinning on the rollers. Maybe because I have been in the industry a while, but I can usually tell when more ink has been applied simply by the way it sounds. I enjoy seeing each successive color being added too.

What You Want, When You Want It <br> Letterpress Wedding Invitations For You Photo

I was mixing ink the other day when I stopped and realized something. We are very lucky to be working in the industry. In a world of digital copies, emails and the internet, we still make original artisan quality letterpress wedding invitations. The paper we use is thick, vibrant and carries an almost antique feel to it. We are using some of the same printing methods that our grandfathers would have used.

Some people forget their roots, but the letterpresses we use were all made before the 1950’s. There is a character and emotion that these letterpresses produce that cannot be matched. I feel proud when we complete an invitation set because there is a very immediate visual display of a job well done.

What You Want, When You Want It <br> Letterpress Wedding Invitations For You Photo

Working together as a team of designers and printers, we will get you what you want when you want it. We can help you create the invitation set you have been imagining.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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Choosing The Right Colors For Your
Letterpress Wedding Invitation Font and Design

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

I love colors. I try to surround myself in a variety of contrasting and complementing colors. At home, at work and even with the clothes I wear, I am enthralled by unique and spirited colors. Colors with names like floral white or Alice blue make me laugh and I even have this design book where you can flip through different home scenes and move different color swatches back and fourth to see what it could look like with a different combination. Suffice to say, I think the more color the better.

In the world of letterpress printing, color combinations are limitless. This bride and groom decided to go with two different color schemes for their invitation set.

Choosing The Right Colors For Your <br> Letterpress Wedding Invitation Font and Design Photo

The original looked good, but there was so much potential. By adding a second color this piece moved from a delightful presentation to a beautiful and welcoming invitation set.

Choosing The Right Colors For Your <br> Letterpress Wedding Invitation Font and Design Photo

This version contrasts the blue of the palm tree and names with the rest of the text. It is a well rounded design that can only be achieved with two colors.

Likewise it is possible to print your RSVP card in the contrasting color of the invitation. By altering these small details you can easily expand your realm of possibilities.

Choosing The Right Colors For Your <br> Letterpress Wedding Invitation Font and Design Photo

Adding color is an easy way to spice up your invitation set. Think about complimentary and contrasting ideas. Also how and where you include the second colors makes a big difference, find whatever works for you.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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Bi-Lingual Letterpress Wedding Invitation Translation

Monday, June 29th, 2009

We are living in a very diverse world. The last wedding I attended was for a good friend whose celebration was rich with “non-western” cultural traditions. There were different types of music, food, formal wear, dancing, celebrations and of course, alcohols. At one point the whole dance floor joined in a circle and started some dance routine that I had never seen before and had a blast trying to learn.

During the celebration I was approached by a couple older members of the family who immediately started speaking to me in a foreign language. As politely as I could, I indicated that I could only speak English, which sadly then ended each conversation.

This interaction made me realize that there are more people living in the United States that prefer their native language or do not know how to speak English than we realize. I believe in equal opportunity and personal choice, so more power to them.

If you have wedding guests that cannot read English, or are more comfortable reading their native language, you may want to consider creating two editions of your invitation. Special phrases, emotions or traditions that do not translate directly should not be forgotten on your wedding day.

By working closely with you, we can help to design and translate custom invitations with any language or cultural tradition. Don’t let those non-English speaking guests of yours suffer, impress your wedding party with your thoughtfulness and creativity by having either bilingual or multiple versions of your wedding invitations.

Atlantica Bilingual Wedding Invitation

Allison Wedding Invitation - English

Allison Wedding Invitation - Spanish

Remember, you do not have to stop at your invitation sets. Think bi-lingual menus or wedding programs.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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DIY Letterpress Wedding Invitation Design

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Do It Yourself or “DIY” is a movement that has been picking up participants for the past several years. From the eco-chic mothers who craft their children’s clothes, to the economically burdened designer who know how to make the thriftyist artistic pieces. Doing things on your own feels good and brings a distinct feeling of satisfaction.

Many brides are bringing this trend into their weddings in interesting and unique ways. From wedding favors, dresses, cakes and music, the list of possible DIY projects is endless. With the availability of professional design software, now there is a new arena for the DIY savvy bride.

Here’s a few examples of some DIY designs:

DIY Letterpress Wedding Invitation Design Photo DIY Letterpress Wedding Invitation Design Photo

If you design your wedding invitation, we can take it straight to the letterpress. Because of the ease and accessibility of programs such as Photoshop, InDesign, or Illustrator, all it takes is a rudimentary understanding of design procedures to custom craft an artisan style invitation.

For those brides who are feeling the financial crunch but do not want to wait any longer, DIY design is the way to go. You design it, we print it, you love it. It’s that easy.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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Bold Red Letterpress Wedding Invitation Design

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Red is my favorite color. It represents passion, love, romance and is rumored to jump start your appetite too! Sometimes it is used to signify danger, probably because of its close resemblance to fire and our natural fear attached to that. Whatever the reason and whether it is painted on walls, dyed in fabrics or printed in ink, red catches our eye.

When I first saw this design I was struck by the impartial nature of the font. I was trying to define it but its classification eluded me. Was it Gothic or cartoon-like? Whimsical or from the work of Hunter S. Thompson? Its style is remarkably unique yet the real eye opener is the bold red ink.

Combining the textured feel of letterpress and an elegant contrast between a romantic red and a crisp black soy-ink combo, Chopin is a versatile invitation set that can be used for a formal or informal wedding:

Bold Red Letterpress Wedding Invitation Design Photo

Anything is customizable. Think foil lettering with ink accents or carry these monogrammed letters through to your program, menu or place cards.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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How to Cure Wedding Jitters

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Alright brides, lets get serious. Unless you are made of steel, you are going to get nervous before your wedding day. I worry for the brides and grooms just going to weddings, let alone actually being in front of all the guests exchanging vows. It is such a big step to join in a lifelong union, so feeling nervous is part of the process.

According to the experts, a little anxiety is a normal thing as your wedding date gets closer. You will almost certainly feel “wedding jitters” at some point before the actual date. Just because you feel nervous is not a serious thing, but how you deal with them is very important.

Relax. Remember you love this person and want to spend the rest of your life with them. Whenever you feel the most anxiety just stop what you are doing for a second and take a few deep breaths.

Don’t try to be perfect. No one is, and setting your sights on perfection is a sure way to achieve disappointment. Do your best and enjoy the results.

Continue to live your life. Marriage grows through compromise, but the things that matter most should not be forgotten. Hang out with your friends, tell your family you love them, share your feelings and welcome their support.

Weddings can be stressful but the rewards are well worth it.

With so many things to plan and worry about, why not leave your wedding invitations to the pros? Custom design, personal consultations and artisan style letterpress wedding invitations are our specialties.

Written by Nick

Invitations by Ajalon
View our letterpress wedding invitation gallery.

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