For wedding invites, is it cheaper to print your own, or go professional?

Question

**And if it is in fact cheaper to print your own, would it be worth my time to purchase a quality printer? (I'm operating under the assumption that a standard inkjet personal printer does not have the capacity to print out professional quality wedding invitations.)
So if this is the case, would you also be able to recommend a printer that would be capable of printing out my own invitations with that level of quality?

After reading some of the responses I've realized it is helpful to go ahead and mention that I have made my own save-the-dates along with their envelopes. And I do have prior experience, along with the programming resources to create the invitation itself.
I am more concerned though, with there being a sincere personal touch, rather than a stark and corporate feel to the invites.
Now, in saying that, I am still aware that professional companies are capable of achieving that affect. I'm simply wanting to evaluate the pros and cons of each option.
I really appreciate everyone who has answered thus far, and I hope to gather even more opinions and expertise on this question. Thanks!

Answer 1

It depends entirely on what you want to do - celebrate your love by getting married, or impressing everyone with expensive, professionally-made invitations. If you have a computer equipped with some kind of print-shop program, then you can make your own and add a personal touch with pictures of the happy couple and your own personal pledge to each other as a theme. Then, save your design on a CD and take it to almost any "chain" print shop and ask for high-quality paper. You'll save a ton of money that way, while still getting the point across that you're in love and want to invite your friends and loved ones to share in the celebration of your marriage. Good luck and best wishes!!

Answer 2

It is fairly complicated. Most standard inkjet printers will produce a good quality result. You can to consider what happens when you print on different types of paper, and so on.

The main problem is that if you are not a designer then no matter how good the paper and printer are your design could look terrible.

Personally I would use the following general design idea.

Get some nice quality card. Print the invitation on it, in a fairly simple design. Hand write the person's name.

Print, you are invited to A and B's wedding etc on the front.

Then make a hand folded paper heart (I am sure you can find out how to do this online) and glue it to the front.

My hand made and painted christmas cards using Australian gum leaves and gum nuts are always my friend's favourites.

Other technologies to try and embossing.

But hand made makes most people feel special these days.

If you put your love into that little piece of paper, people will always remember your wedding, and be inspired to find true love in their own lives.

Answer 3

Yes, it will be cheaper, if you already own a printer or know someone who does. As for the standard inkjet printer, don't slam it. If you can keep the design relatively simple, (i.e. try for minimalist elegance, etc.) while using different textured and coloured papers, you can end up with something that looks stunning. The trick is to experiment a little. Just don't feed paper through it that's too thick. Things may get ugly.

Answer 4

It would be cheaper, but probably not worth the expense to find a printer capable of producing the quality you'd want for your wedding. You won't save that much by printing them yourself.

There may be a "happy medium" though, that you can consider. Find and/or design an invitation that you can have printed at a local printer such as Fedex Kinko's. Many times if it's done locally, you won't have the expense of shipping to worry about, and it can be done in less time (you won't have to worry about having proofs sent to you in the mail and having to return them and then waiting for the whole order to be printed, etc.). If you design your own invitation, you could also keep it on disk/CD, and if you find you didn't order enough - it would be much easier to order additional copies, especially if you used a local printer.

I designed my own invitations, and my maid of honor had them printed where she worked, as part of her gift to me.

Answer 5

Hey there, i did my own invitations and they looked just as good as ones that i got trialled from a professional place.And cheaper. It is not the quality of your printer that matters to much. It is the quality of the paper that you print it out on and the amount of time and effort you put into it.It is much more rewarding doing it yourself but it does take time.

Answer 6

I think, if you are not an expert you should go for profesional help. There are many good photo printers but you need to work on the matter which requires to be posted, isn't it? We should not risk an important occasion like wedding at any cost. However, if you are an expert go ahead, I am sure you will do it with finesse.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Just go pro because it saves alot of time and hassle, I did mine that way, to save time. if you give them the addresses they will print up the envelopes ,and I'm pretty sure all you have to do is stamp them and mail them. If you do decide to do it your self there are alot of programs for pcs for invitations.the only thing is ink is so expensive.

Answer 8

its chepaer to print your own but do you really want that? paper invitations that will go out to your family memers; that you can tell were folded by hand.
it will look a lot better and will be better if you have it professionally printed.
good luck with your wedding!!!!

Answer 9

I had my invites made it cost allot.My sister made her own I think she bought the card paper and used an 06 canon color printer they looked better then mine and cost her allot less..

Answer 10

Though it's cheaper to do it your own but it's for your wedding honey. We only get wed once in our life (supposedly). Just find someone who'll work with your budget. Best wishes!