Images can be scanned and incorporated into your invitation project.
Invitations for parties, weddings and other events can be a do-it-yourself project, using your computer and printer. Instead of being limited by invitations offered by card manufacturers, you will be limited only by your imagination and skills. The necessary skills include artistic flare and talent, along with the ability to use the computer and necessary software. Invitations can be personalized using photographs, graphics and unique text.
Software
Many software programs can be used to design invitations. Before buying software to create invitations, evaluate your existing software on your computer and see if one can be used for the project. Word processing programs, such as WordPerfect or Microsoft Word, can be used to design invitations. Some may include templates with pre-assigned formatting, or you may need to totally format the document. Publishing programs, such as Microsoft Publisher or Print Shop can be used to create invitations, and those will have invitation templates to make the task easier. Invitations also can be created using scrapbook software or more sophisticated graphics programs, such as Adobe Photoshop.
Paper
Before beginning your project, choose paper that will be suitable for your project. Paper comes in many sizes, textures, weights and finishes. Paper designed specifically for greeting cards or postcards are available, and some paper can be folded into a card. Certain textures will be more suitable for printing photographs and graphics. You will need to know your intended shape and size prior to designing the card so it will print on the paper correctly. Some card graphic software will have templates designed for specific paper brands or styles. Unless your invitation is a postcard format, you will need to match an envelope to your card.
Printers
Printing out your own invitation does not necessarily mean you need to print it out on your own printer. If you create an invitation digitally, that file can be uploaded to an online printer that specializes in card printing. When using such a service, you won't need to purchase paper, envelopes or extra printer ink. You can take it one step farther and use a site that will not only print the invitations you designed, but will mail them for you. When doing this, you will upload a data sheet with the addresses along with your invitation file. To find such a vendor, visit the United Postal Service website and check out their affiliate printers. If you plan to use an online printer, check with the site to see what types of digital files they accept before creating the invitation. Some sites have an online form or wizard to allow you to create the invitation on their website, without the need for your own software.
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