Learning More Terms of Unique Wedding Invitations
Learning terminology related to paper, design, size, color and printing will no doubt be part of wedding invitation shopping experience. Who knew there was so much to know beyond the wording and what enclosure pieces to include.
Here are the details for just some of the terms you may come across:
- Invitation Card – Simply a single, unfolded card with the text printed on the front.
- Embossing – Creating a raised design by using a printing method that presses an image into the paper. The design can then be emphasized with colored ink. If no ink is used on the raised design, it is referred to as blind embossing. When the design appears as indented into the paper, this is called debossing.
- Foil Stamping – The special technique of hot stamping metallic colored foil onto paper.
- Deckle Edge – A unique, feathery edge on a piece of paper commonly seen on parchment wedding invitations.
- Ecru – A familiar invitation paper color that is a warm creamy beige shade.
- Pearlize – The addition of a shimmering pearl-like finish usually to an embossed design area of the invitation.
- Filigree – Lacelike decorative pattern that can appear as part of a wedding invitation design.
- Tea Length – A unique invitation size that is generally 9 ¼” x 4″ in size and is either horizontal or vertical in design.
- Translucent - A term that is used to describe paper that is somewhat see-through and is often times used in layered invitation designs.
- Vellum – Common type of paper with a rich, smooth finish.
- Linen – Another type of paper featuring a cross weave texture.
Even when it comes to unique wedding invitations, as the saying goes, the more you know the better. Knowing what these terms mean is one thing, but even better might be seeing actual samples to know which ones you may want included in your wedding invitation design.
