PRINTABLES...HOW TO PRINT AT HOME

You purchased a printable invitation, now what?
Printing at home is easy.  Just use one of the methods below.

•  Printing using your home computer and printer…

Choose your paper.  
The weights or thickness of paper can be confusing.  A “cover stock” is thicker than “index” or “text” weight paper.  For best results, try white or cream colored paper in 80 pound (80#) cover stock or 100 pound (100#) cover stock.  Most inkjet printers can handle 80# cover stock and many can even print on 100# cover.  If you have a rear feeder on your printer, you can probably go with the heavier weight.  
Many online stores offer samples to test in your printer before you invest in large quantities. Try www.paperandmore.com for great paper and samples.
 
Open your edited file when you are ready to print and click on the printer icon to open the printer properties box.  Choose the correct orientation-landscape (sideways) or portrait (up and down), and paper size.  Make sure that you have unchecked the option for page scaling.  Set your printer to “Best” printing quality.  
 
You can print a jpeg as a photo from your home printer, on pre-cut 5x7 paper.  Or, you can print using the pdf at home with two invitations on an 8.5 x 11” sheet of paper and cut the invitations out after printing.

• The Print Shop...

Another option is to send the file out to be printed at a print shop or office supply store as a color copy that is cut to size (different than printing as an invitation-see below).  Bring your file to them on a flash drive and they will print on the kind of paper you specify.  They usually prefer .pdf files to make copies.  Our files can be set up two on a page with a bleed and trim area which is usually requested from professional printers.  Envelopes most likely need to be purchased separately.  Always bring your receipt and print release if you have one.  Some office stores are requesting proof of ownership on printables. 

• Photo Centers…

Digital invitation files can also be printed at a photo center as a photo.  This is a very economical option.  Photo centers require jpegs to print.  Save your completed invitation file to your computer or a flash drive.  Make sure that it is being saved in its original size.  All of the digital invitations are created at a 300 dpi resolution which will produce a very clear image.  If the image is not clear, please check how you downloaded and saved the file.

• Online Photo Center-printing as invitations...

This option is becoming more and more popular as the print at home market has expanded.  Many photo centers and office stores online now offer printing on heavy card stock and provide envelopes too.  This option usually requires a jpeg file for printing with a bleed or safe area, which can be requested.  Most online vendor also offer backside invitation printing.

• Where to buy supplies...

You can buy your paper and envelopes at craft stores, office stores and online. 5 x 7 invitations use an A7 envelope which is approximately 5.25 x 7.25”
Some of my favorite online vendors are:
www.paperandmore.com for paper and samples of paper
www.soho-paper.com for envelopes, envelope lines and paper
www.costco.com for invitation printing-find their “design your own” full image card