Make your own seal and send invitation to announce your special day.
The seal and send invitation is a long, narrow piece of cardstock. Creases along the length of the invitation allow it to fold in on itself creating its own envelope. Perforation along the bottom of the invitation provides your guest with a detachable RSVP card. While it is possible to make your own seal and send invitations, variations between word processing programs and printers make it necessary for you to consult your manuals for exact directions regarding paper sizing and custom printing.
Instructions
1. Purchase 11 by 17 inch card stock. Websites such as Paper and More, offer this size of card stock in a variety of colors as well as a linen blend.
2. Use a cutting board to cut the card stock to the dimensions of a seal and send invitation. Typical seal and send invitations are 14 1/2 inches by 5 3/4 inches. One sheet of card stock will produce two strips 5 1/2 inches wide. Trim 2 1/2 inches from the length.
3. Input a customized paper size into your word processing program and adjust the top margin to 2 1/2 inch to accommodate the top flap. This will create your template.
4. Type the body of the invitation. Remember to choose fonts and spacing that are easily readable. Use the side ruler on the word processing program as your guide. The body of the invitation should fall between 2 3/4 inches and 11 inches. Do not include any text or design between 6 1/2 inches and 7 inches to avoid creating a crease over your text.
5. Format the RSVP card. The body of the RSVP card should fall between 11 inches and the bottom of the page. Format the card similar to a post card with your address on the right half of the card.
6. Adjust the print properties for your document including paper size, paper source and ink quality.
7. Print a test invitation. Print using the highest ink setting first to create the richest appearance. If the ink smudges, adjust to a lower setting. If you are satisfied with the finished product, print small batches at a time to prevent jamming the printer.
8. Create creases to fold your invitations. Use a bone folder and two rulers. Lay one ruler vertically along the left side of the invitation. Place the other ruler horizontally across the invitation with the top edge of the ruler at the 2 1/2-inch mark. Trace along the top edge of the ruler using a bone folder. Repeat at the 6 1/8-inch mark. Use a paper perforator at the 10 1/8 inch mark. This perforated line creates the removable RSVP card.
9. Flip the invitations face down and affix a stamp to the upper right-hand corner of the RSVP card.
10. Start at the bottom of the seal and send invitation and fold toward the top at the perforated line and the creases.
11. Fold over the top flap and affix with a medallion seal. Use clear round seals to seal both sides of the invitation. This will prevent the edges from snagging in mail sorters and chewing up your invitation.
Tags: RSVP card, card stock, seal send, seal send invitation, send invitation