A vellum overlay
can be a lovely addition to an invitation. Vellum comes in sizes to
accommodate the single, Bifold, Trifold, royal and marquis size of
invitation. In addition, you can purchase vellum in 8 1/2" x 11"
sheets and use it as the inner sheet in a wedding program. As shown in
the third picture from the left, it can be attached with a narrow ribbon,
organdy ribbon or metallic cord. The vellum can be the same size as
the card, but it is generally very slightly smaller.
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This is a sheet of unprinted vellum lying on top of a
single invitation. |
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This single invitation has the design printed on the
invitation, and the words printed on the vellum. It is tied with
an organza ribbon, which lays nicely in an envelope. The template
is from our
Invitation
Template Collection |
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This is another single invitation with the design (could
be a picture of the couple) printed on the invitation, and tied with a
narrow satin ribbon. A bow would probably crush in an envelope. |
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This is another view of a sheet of vellum, this time
attached to the invitation. Note that it is slightly smaller than
the invitation itself. Although it can be the same size,
it tends to stand out better if it is slightly smaller. |
There are some
things to watch out for when purchasing vellum, however. There are
several different types, weights and characteristics sold, and unless you
ask, it can be difficult to determine if you have the right one. Some
vellum is designed exclusively for commercial printing, some is designed for
inkjet printers only, some for only laser printers, and some is manufactured
for both inkjet and laser printers. In addition, its weight must be substantial
enough to go through these printers without jamming or tearing.
Vellum can be
tricky to lay out; if the design is too "busy" your guests will be unable to
read the invitation without lifting the vellum. The invitation can be
printed on the card with a design in back, or the invitation can be printed
on the card itself, with the design on the vellum. We recommend that
the design not overlay the words, as it is in the third picture from the
left. You can see that a guest might have difficulty reading the words
of the invitation. If your invitation's design could be printed on one
card without over writing the design, it is possible to use a vellum overlay
as well, and will look charming when there is an overlay. Please also
keep in mind that if you had ordered this treatment from a commercial
printer, vellum overlays can not be engraved (raised), which skirts the
issue of a homemade wedding invitation versus a handmade invitation!
Vellum is not
restricted to wedding invitations, though; many brides are now using full
sheet (8.5" x 11") vellum as the inside pages of their wedding programs.
To attach the
vellum to the card, there are two treatments that you can use. You can
attach the vellum to the card using either ribbon or staples, and you can
attach the vellum to the top of the card if it is a single invitation or a
booklet-type, or, if you wish to use the full-sheet vellum (8.5" x 11"), you
can attach it to the fold in the invitation.
If you are using
staples and attaching your vellum to the top of your invitation, use two
staples approximately 1.25" to 1.5" from each edge. If you are using
organza ribbon, which is what we recommend, punch two holes at the top about
1.5" to 1.75" from each edge. Don't put your holes too close together;
if you do, the vellum won't stay in place correctly.
If you are
attaching your vellum to the fold in the invitation or program, place either
the staples or punch the holes if you're using ribbon about 2" to 2 1/2"
from the top and bottom of the invitation or program. If the program
or invitation is 5.5" high, use the 2 1/2" measurement, if it is shorter
than that, use the 2" measurement.
The reason that
we recommend
organza ribbon instead of satin is because it it easier to handle
and it lays better when inserted in an envelope. You want to use 3/8"
to 7/8" ribbon of any type--it should not be either narrorer or wider than
that. While we do sell organza ribbon because we offer a wide variety
of colors, we chose to offer it because we felt it was superior to satin,
and we could offer it at a good price. If you have decided on standard
colors, it is available at any fabric store.
ThinkWedding's
Vellum for Inkjet and Laser Printers
