OUR PROCESS AND PAPERIE GUIDE
IT STARTS WITH ALL THE LITTLE DETAILS
We’ve refined our process to make things as easy as possible for our couples. Our simplified design process ensures you know exactly what to expect throughout the entire time working together.
Take a look through our process below, and you’ll have ‘Wedding Invitations’ marked off your to-do list in no time!
HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?
no. 1 || Investment
NO. 2 || INQUIRE & CONSULTATION
no. 3 || DESIGN & PRODUCTION
no. 4 || THE FINAL STEPS
no. 1 || INVESTMENT
We take on a limited number of events each year, which allows us to work closely together with our couples to design and craft truly beautiful keepsakes. Our clients typically invest between $4,000 - $12,000 for all stationery needs including save the dates, invitations and day of stationery products & services.
The average invitation cost for our clients varies based on quantity, printing method(s), materials, and extras ranges from $2,500 - $5,000 for custom invitations. Due to the nature of custom designed invitation suites, our minimum order is $2,000.
Another way to calculate standard investment is by guest count — we usually see a spend of $45 - $75 per guest. If these typical investment ranges aren't a fit, we're pleased to offer semi-custom design services.
Our Semi-Custom Heirloom Collection Suites offers a range of thoughtfully pre-designed invitation suites and complimenting event day-of collateral. Our semi-custom clients typically invest between $1,500 - $4,000 on their invitation suite & day-of paperie. Please visit our Collection page for information.
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no. 1 || Investment
no. 2 || INQUIRE & CONSULTATION
no. 3 || DESIGN & PRODUCTION
no. 4 || THE FINAL STEPS
no. 2 || INQUIRE & CONSULTATION
We understand every couple's invitation needs are different, which is why we offer individual quotes instead of set prices for set quantities.
Once you have decided whether our fully custom or semi-custom design services are the right fit for you, we ask that you please complete our wedding stationery inquiry form.
After your inquiry is received, we will connect with you to schedule a 45 minute virtual or in-person consultation. During this meeting we shall discuss in more detail what styles, colours, design aesthetics, etc. you are planning for your big day, learn more about your unique love story and how we can incorporate that into all aspects of your wedding stationery.
By the end of this meeting, we will have all the information required to put together your tailored mood board & proposal.
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no. 1 || Investment
NO. 2 || INQUIRE & CONSULTATION
no. 3 || DESIGN & PRODUCTION
no. 4 || THE FINAL STEPS
no. 3 || DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Once your proposal, is approved, you can sign the client agreement form and submit your deposit. Then the fun begins!
At this point, you will gain access within your own online client portal, which will house all of important documents and emails moving forward. Once we have all of the information and details pertaining to your wedding we begin designing. We'll present options and refine until we arrive at a design that fully represents the couple and the aesthetic of the event.
All proofs for your suite will be available to review via email.
During this time we will also proofread your suite, confirm colour selections, and final details. Please allow 8-12 for the entire custom design & production process.
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no. 1 || Investment
NO. 2 || INQUIRE & CONSULTATION
no. 3 || DESIGN & PRODUCTION
no. 4 || THE FINAL STEPS
no. 4 || THE FINAL STEPS -
APPROVAL & DELIVERY
no. 4 || THE FINAL STEPS - APPROVAL & DELIVERY
After you've given your final signature of approval, your invitation suite is sent off to print! We are proud to work with extremely detail oriented printers local within the GTA. They take the utmost care of each suite to ensure quality and consistency.
Please note that expected delivery dates are subject to how quickly we move through the design process. Regardless of the design and printing method selected, it takes a minimum of two weeks to print and produce an invitation suite.
Here at Royal Stationery Design we offer full assembly and mailing services for all couples. If you choose to add this in, we will assemble, stuff, and seal all invitation suites for you.
If you would like to assemble yourself, we will send all items needed to assemble your invitation suite in one big box. Please note industry standard is to mail an invitation suite out 8 - 10 weeks before the wedding day and 10 - 12 weeks for destination weddings.
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Our Step-By-Step Process
Our Paper
We offer a variety of stocks that will provide the best quality print based on your selected print method. Most paper types are available in single or double ply.
We’re also more than happy to help you source something different including coloured or handmade papers.
ranges between 110lb - 130lb, the thickness depends on the stock chosen that works best for your selected print method.
Single Ply
ranges between 220lb - 260lb, twice the thickness of single ply. The thickness depends on the stock chosen that works best for your selected print method.
Double Ply
When choosing the paper weight, it is truly a personal preference and desired price point.
the perfect combination of soft texture, delicate deckled edge and luxury. The subtle surface texture is perfect for letterpress, foil, embossing, and digital printing. Available in a variety of colours.
HANDMADE PAPER
Our Print Methods
is a high-end version of your home printer. The result is a flat print that does not have any indentation.
MORE ON DIGITAL PRINTING
Digital Printing
is beautifully pressed into the paper leaving a deep impression. It’s made using an antique press and can be printed “blind” without ink and only impression.
MORE ON LETTERPRESS
Letterpress
is stamped into the paper using pressure and heat. It has a light indentation and shiny finish.
MORE ON FOIL STAMPING
Foil Stamping
is beautifully pressed from the back of the paper leaving a raised impression from the paper surface. The back side has a deep impression showing the design where it had been pressed in reverse.
MORE ON EMBOSSING
Embossing
is beautifully pressed into the the paper leaving an impression that protrudes out on the reverse side.
MORE ON DEBOSSING
is beautifully pressed into the the paper leaving an impression that protrudes out on the reverse side.
MORE ON DEBOSSING
Debossing
Digital & Letterpress Ink Colours
Whether you’re printing Digitally or in Letterpress, we have the perfect ink colour for you.
Here are some of our favorites, but we can print in any colour that you can imagine.
Foil Colours
There’s no effect more luxurious than hot foil printing! We stock a large selection of foil colours for hot foil stamping. Our most popular colours are shown below.
White & Metallic Inks
gold
We love working with white & metallic inks like silver and gold. Since they are opaque they also work very well on darker stocks.
Proposal Request
REQUEST QUOTE
Ready to get started? If you have an idea of what you like, you can submit a request for a quote below! Or, if you are unsure but know you want a custom design, let's schedule a consultation so we can discuss ideas!
CUSTOM & Collection inquires
Schedule A Consultation
- DANIELA B.
[she] went above and beyond working with me to design the perfect bridal shower invites, and day of stationery and i am completely blown away by the amazing services [she] provided! I feel like at this point it’s safe to say [she] is my favourite vendor! I can't wait to see what magic she creates for my wedding invitations.
WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE MANY MANY THANKS I OWE [ALESSIA] FOR BEING SUCH A HUGE PART OF MAKING MY SPECIAL DAY, WELL SPECIAL!
after our first consultation with her, we trusted her completely and valued her honesty and input during the entire process. If you want luxury that's worth every penny, she's the absolute best!
- VANESSA & JONATHAN
WHERE DO WE START? FROM BEGINNING TO END, ALESSIA HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.
Alessia helped us every step of the way with continuous email correspondences until we were satisfied. She was a pleasure to work with and was able to make our vision a reality. We would highly recommend her services as we can't thank her enough!
- KATHRYN & LOUIS
OUR WEDDING INVITATIONS TURNED OUT TO BE MORE THAN WE COULD HAVE EVERY EXPECTED.
- RACHEL & MATTHEW
the attention to detail was impeccable! Not having a very clear vision of what we wanted aside from colour and our overall theme, Alessia made the planning process so easy and every detail was thoughtfully considered. I highly recommend reaching out to Alessia - she's unbelievable! her personality is almost as brilliant as her bright red hair!
THE FEEDBACK FROM OUR GUESTS WAS AMAZING - OUR INVITATIONS WERE BEAUTIFUL.
DIGITAL PRINTING
Digital Printing prints smoothly to the paper, with no raised or indented impression. Digital printing is also known as flat printing. Printing and production time after approval of your design: up to 10-14 business days.
Letterpress
Letterpress printing is done by creating a plate of your design. That plate is inked with rich matte ink, then pressed into cotton paper, leaving a beautiful, touchable impression of your design. You can feel the indentation when you run your fingers over the printed portion. Printing and production time after approval of your design: 3-4 weeks, plus shipping time to our studio once printing is complete, typically 1-2 business days.
FOIL STAMPING
Foil printing starts with a sheet of metallic foil, that is then pressed by a metal plate of your design into cotton paper. The result is similar to letterpress. You can feel the impression in the paper. Rather than matte ink, the design is pressed into the paper with shiny metallic foil. Printing and production time after approval of your design: 3-4 weeks, plus shipping time to our studio once printing is complete, typically 1-2 business days.
EMBOSSING
Embossing starts with two custom metal plates of your design which then has 100% cotton paper placed in between them and pressed. The result is a three-dimensional effect of your design that is raised off of the paper of your print. Printing and production time after approval of your design: 3-4 weeks, plus shipping time to our studio once printing is complete, typically 1-2 business days.
DEBOSSING
Similar to Embossing, Debossing starts with two custom metal plates of your design which then has 100% cotton paper placed in between them and pressed. The result however, is imprinted into your print piece (similar to the idea and feel of letterpress, just without the ink). Printing and production time after approval of your design: 3-4 weeks, plus shipping time to our studio once printing is complete, typically 1-2 business days.