Helpful Information
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If you are looking for a particular product, or a particular colour or theme, use the search feature in the "Products" area. There are also some hints on searching here.
Printing
Many of our customers are doing their own printing using a laser or inkjet printer at home or work. It is advisable to know what sort of printer you will be using before coming to the shop or ordering online as some papers are only suitable for one type of printer.
An inkjet printer uses small ink cartridges and generally requires an absorbent surface for the ink. Papers with a pearl or metallic finish, and translucent papers, often don't work well in an inkjet because of the non-absorbent finish on the paper. The ink will take a long time to dry and may "bleed" or "feather", and will not produce a sharp image.
A laser printer uses “toner” as the “ink” which is fused to the paper by heat, and is therefore recommended for use on metallic, pearl and translucent papers.
Although photocopiers use a similar method to laser printers, they often use a different heat and speed, and will not necessarily produce the same results as a laser printer. The only papers that are recommended for use in a photocopier are those in the Optix range.
We have included a recommended printer type for all the printable papers we stock. If you wish to use a different type of printer than that recommended, we strongly advise you to test the paper first as we cannot be responsible for any resulting damage to the printer or paper.
Paper Weight: This is the term used to describe the thickness of the paper. Paper or “text” weight ranges from 80gsm to 125gsm. Card or “cover” weight ranges from 200gsm to 330gsm. Most printers for home use have a maximum recommended paper weight for printing onto of around 160gsm, which is midway between paper and card weight. With the exception of our “Mid-weight” card, we don’t recommend printing on card weight if you are using a home printer. Information on the weight of all our paper and card is included in the description of the item.
Professional Printing Services: a professional printer can usually print on a variety of surfaces and weights, and can sometimes print with metallic and/or raised inks. If you intend using a professional printer it is a good idea to check with them first about what they can and cannot print on, and their preferred size.
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Paper Sizes
A4 is the standard paper size. It is 297mm x 210mm.
A5 is half an A4. It is 210mm x 148mm.
A6 is half an A5. It is 148mm x 105mm (postcard size)
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Envelope Sizes
DL - 110 x 220mm (standard business size, Post Office Preferred)
C6 - 114 x 162mm (postcard size, Post Office Preferred)
11B - 90 x 145mm (Post Office Preferred)
C5 - 162 x 229mm
130mm square
160mm square
If you are designing your own invitation or announcement, it is a good idea to work with one of the above sizes, as envelopes in other sizes are not easily available, and often only come in white or cream colours.
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Invitation Wording
How you word your wedding invitation is entirely up to you – the etiquette rules of the past no longer apply. Wording will differ depending on whether the invitation is coming from you, one set or parents or both sets of parents. Additionally, divorced and/or remarried might need to be included on the invitation.
Make sure you have included the day, date, time and place for the ceremony, and for the reception, plus any special information about dress, young children or wedding gifts. Even if you are enclosing a separate rsvp card, it is a good idea to state the date by which you require a response on the invitation itself.
We recommend you ask a friend to check the invitation wording before you do the final printing, just to be sure that all the required information is there and that there are no spelling errors – it could save you a lot of time, money and embarrassment later on!
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Definitions
Brads, paper fasteners, split pins, studs: these are all names for small pins that can be used to secure translucent or other papers. The metal prongs are inserted through the layers to be fastened together, and then opened out flat to secure the layers. We recommend using an awl to make the holes for the studs. Studs are available in a variety of size, shapes and colours.
Vellum: vellum is a term often used for translucent papers, ie those that are semi-transparent. Translucents are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns and can be printed using a laser printer.
Rice Paper: is sometimes used to mean translucents, and sometimes to mean oriental unryushi papers.
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