Handmade Wedding Invitation Type

One of the most intimidating aspects of DIY wedding invitations is creating the fancy type that is typical of the modern wedding invitation. Even crafty couples who have no qualms about creating their own paper or threading ribbon into envelopes may balk at the idea of learning embossing or calligraphy. But some of these invitation type alternatives can be done by hand at home.Alternatives to PrintingWhile a high-quality laser printer can create an acceptable - even lovely - invitation, many couples may want invitations (especially beautiful, handmade ones) to include some of the more formal type options, such as engraving. Luckily, some of these effects can be copied or re-created by a crafty couple with the right equipment and the time. They include:Calligraphy (hand-drawn lettering with a special pen or nib)Embossing (powder that produces raised lettering)Screen-Printing (using a screen to to fill mesh openings with ink)Learning CalligraphyCalligraphy is a form of handwriting that is particularly beautiful and often used for formal occasions, including wedding invitations. While it takes time and talent to master the art of calligraphy, people with some time and patience can learn to write with a calligraphy pen and produce impressive results.According to Calligraphy Made Easy by Margaret Shepherd (Penguin Books, 1989), the only calligraphy equipment is a specialty pen with a wide, flat nib, available at many craft and stationary stores. Holding the pen at a 45-degree angle aiming the end of the pen toward the shoulder produces the customary calligraphy stroke. Practicing letters from templates found in books or online can help one become a decent calligraphy illustrator in a short amount of time.Learning EmbossingThere are two types of embossing that a couple could use to create the type on their wedding invitations, according to Diane V. Maurer-Mathison, Jennifer Philippoff in Paper Art: The Complete Guide to Papercraft Techniques: wet embossing and dry embossing.Wet embossing works best on freshly made handmade paper where you press your embossing powder onto the type between two paper presses or weights. Dry embossing involves depressing the type on the paper and then putting embossing ink or glue into the letter's indents and filling them with embossing powder.Learning Screen-PrintingScreen-printing is usually associated with cloth (particularly t-shirts) but can be used to create designs on paper, as well. Screen-printing supplies are widely available in arts and crafts stores or commercial screen-printing suppliers. Annie Stromquist of Simple Screenprinting: Basic Techniques and Creative Projects recommends a screen, a squeegee, a backboard, sealing tape, stencils and ink. Flat paper (as opposed to textured paper) screenprints more evenly.The couple would create (or use) stencils to assemble their wedding invitation message, then sealing the screen where the mesh and the frame meet to prevent bubbles and wrinkles. Then attach the hinges to the backboard, and then force ink through the mesh onto the page using the squeegee. The process can be messy and may take a few times to learn but the results will be a unique and memorable wedding invitation.Type is just one of the aspects of creating a special DIY handmade invitation. Making one-of-a-kind invites, writing a unique invitation or even forgoing the typical paper invitation for a more creative and tangible invitation are all options for crafty couples looking to express their individuality.