YOUR GUIDE TO
Congratulations! It's time to order your stationery. This Design Guide includes everything you need to know about creating stationery with Lowcountry Paper Co.
stationery
customization
PRINTing METHODS
CUSTOMIZATION options
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DIGITAL
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LETTERPRESS
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ENGRAVING
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FOIL
envelopes
All suites include matching white or ivory envelopes as the default option.
Not to worry my love, if this isn't your jam, I'll be able to make recommendations once we get started with the design.
Much like ink colors, there are too many envelope colors to show here, so I like to give options that coordinate with what we end up doing for the overall design!
Double Envelopes
Double envelopes include an un-gummed inner envelope that pairs with the outer mailing envelope. Your suite pieces are inserted into the inner envelope with individual guest names listed on the front. Then, the inner envelope goes into the outer mailing envelope with the guest name and address. Postage is added and the outer envelope is sealed prior to mailing.
color options
digital + letterpress + ENGRAVING
With the entire Pantone color book at my disposal as far as colors go, it can become a bit overwhelming, so I've narrowed down a list of popular colors to help you get started. You can certainly choose your ink color from this list OR we can select something that better coordinates with your vision.
Because of the nature of letterpress and engraving, subtle variations in ink colors are to be expected and no two pieces will be exactly alike. It’s what makes them special!
foil + ENGRAVING
Metallic colors can be used for foil and engraving print methods to add a bit of sparkle to your design
rose
rust
terracotta
camel
forest
olive
eucalyptus
fog
steel
midnight
stone
taupe
black
charcoal
gold
champagne
pewter
Colors may not print exactly as they appear on your screen or in your digital proofs, so I will include a Pantone color code with your proofs.
SILVER
ROSE GOLD
calligraphy styles
As a calligrapher, most of my stationery designs feature handwritten calligraphy for the script elements (the portions inside the boxes below). I handwrite everything first, and then digitize the writing so each order is truly unique!
Show Calligraphy Styles
Monograms, crests, & artwork
Add a monogram - with or without a crest - or other small artwork to any of the suite designs.
MONOGRAM STYLE
SCRIPT
TYPE
crests
pomona
ariana
fleur
petunia
lily
poppy
mossy oak
live oak
Cross
artwork
Do you want to add a custom illustration or have your own artwork you'd like to use?
I am always happy to incorporate client provided artwork into a design if you already have artwork. Alternatively, I work with talented artists who can create a custom illustration for your stationery.
Select the "Custom Illustration" option on your Stationery Inquiry form and I'll get in touch for more details.
Do you already have a monogram design you'd like to use?
Great! I am always happy to use an existing monogram if you have one. If you're wanting a more traditional style monogram than the styles shown above, I highly recommend Shuler Studio.
ENVELOPE ADDRESSING
The final piece of the invitation puzzle is envelope addressing, so let me be your one-stop-shop and take this final to do off your plate!
HANDWRITTEN
PART HAND ADDRESSING
PRINTED
guest name(s) and address handwritten in calligraphy or cursive script
guest name(s) handwritten in calligraphy or cursive script
address digitally printed
guest name(s) and address digitally printed
Embellishments
Add a little something extra to further customize your stationery with these embellishments
Envelope Liners
Envelope liners are an excellent way to bring in color and personality to your stationery. Liners arrive to you assembled - either to the interior of your mailing envelopes or the un-gummed inner envelope if you've upgraded to double envelopes.
SOLID COLOR
PRINTED
Choose from in-house artwork, provide artwork you've already had made, or request a custom illustration of your choosing.
**Don't see your perfect color? No problem! Book a consultation and I'll get more details**
cipria
terracotta
nude
pale grey
cashmere
spice
blush
stone
dusty rose
mid green
cool grey
COOL BLUE
dusty blue
olive
claret
forest
racing green
charcoal
sapphire
imperial blue
NEW BLUE
LAVENDER
amethyst
chartreuse
Liner Art Portfolio Coming Soon!
I've collected a lot of artwork over the years and I'm currently re-organizing and getting everything ready to add here.
In the meantime, let me know in your inquiry form what style of art you're interested in and I'll send images of what I've got.
WAX SEALS
Wax Seals can be added to the outer mailing envelope or as part of any of your suite pieces. Seals are made from real sealing wax with adhesive added to the back for quick and easy application.
Wax Colors
Wax seal designs
Silver
gunmetal
pewter
copper
antique gold
gold
champagne
Antique pearl
vellum
vintage rose
rose
Mulberry
wine
hunter
sequoia
thyme
eucalyptus
dusty blue
indigo
navy
black
carbon
cafe
clay
linen
live oak
Mossy oak
script
type*
CROSS
*matches the font used in the suite design
prosecco
rose gold
lilac grey
lavender
buttercream
CAN I MAKE CHANGES TO THE SUITE DESIGNS beyond what you have the design plan?
Absolutely! I like to think of the Stationery Suite Design options as your starting point, so I recommend that you choose an overall layout with the basic elements that you like and then we can build from there.
Here's what that looks like:
Let's say you like everything about the Antonia suite design but would like to add a border and center the names on two lines like what you see in the Virginia suite, I can make that happen. These design tweaks, along with the customization of the colors, calligraphy style, and embellishments means that your stationery can be personalized to fit your aesthetic!!
This is the benefit of working with an independent stationery designer and calligrapher like myself! You're not limited to only what you see in the sample images online.
Will I get to see a proof before my order is printed?
Of course! After receiving your initial proof, you get two (2) complimentary rounds of revisions before your design goes to print. Additional revisions beyond these complimentary rounds incur a fee of $150 per round. I recommend printing a paper copy of your proof and putting at least two other sets of eyes on the design to catch any typos or errors! Changes requested after the design goes to print incur additional costs.
How long does the process take?
The design process takes 3-5 weeks, followed by printing and addressing. Printing is an additional 1-2 weeks for digital and 3-4 weeks for letterpress, foil, and engraving. Don’t forget to add in some extra time if you’re including envelope addressing. I also recommend giving yourself 2-4 days to stuff and seal your suite before delivering them to the Post Office.
I don’t want to address my envelopes, can you help?
Absolutely! Envelope calligraphy is how I got started, so nothing would make me happier than to take this off your plate. I won't need your final list until it's time to approve your final stationery design, so you'll have time to finish gathering those addresses...it can be a beast, I know!
How should I format my address list?
I like to get your address list in a spreadsheet format (Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets) and have a handy template available on the Resources page. It's a Google Sheet, which can be downloaded or copied to your own Google Drive and edited. Please share or send your list with me at hello@lowcountrypaperco.com.
CAN I ORDER MORE ENVELOPES IN CASE I MESS UP WHILE ADDRESSING?
All orders include 20% additional envelopes for this reason, so you should be OK, but Email Me if you think you'll need more.
Can you tell me how much postage I’ll need?
Unfortunately, I've discovered by trial and error that every post office judges the postage price differently. I can give you my best guess based on previous project but it’s best to wait until you receive your order and take a complete suite to the local post office where you plan to mail your invitations so it can be accurately weighed to. And, ALWAYS confirm the postage is correct with an actual person when you get to the Post Office...there's nothing worse than getting all your invitations back marked up with an "insufficient postage" stamp.
Will you stuff and mail my invitations for me?
I do not offer this service because I prefer that you have the opportunity to see your printed suite in person before they are mailed. If you added envelope addressing to your order, this also gives you a chance to double check spelling and accuracy before releasing them into the mail. Don't worry, I double check all envelopes prior to shipping them to you; however, I am a mere mortal so let me know immediately if I made a mistake and I'll correct it ASAP!
Frequently asked questions
Ordering stationery - especially for a wedding - can be a LOT. This might be the first time you're sending out formal invitations to a large event and you don't know what you don't know. And, I know it's easier to make decisions when you can hold a sample in your hands, so don't worry about a thing!
Schedule a phone or Zoom call so we can talk through everything you need, and I'll follow up with a customized proposal for exactly what you need!
Let's get started!
Ready to begin?
Get In Touch
Digital printing is a flat printing method that creates a smooth, flat finish of the design on the card so the only texture you feel is the fluffy cotton paper.
Turnaround time for digital printing is 1-2 weeks after final approval
Letterpress printing begins by creating a plate of your design, which is inked with a matte color and then pressed into the paper using antique machines. The finished product is as beautiful as it is luxurious and a popular selection for wedding stationery!
Turnaround time for letterpress printing is 3-4 weeks after final approval
A traditional print method for wedding invitations (and one of my favorites!). Your design is etched into a metal plate and the recesses of the etching are filled with ink so that when pressure is applied to the plate and paper, the result is an embossed - or raised - impression of the design.
Engraving inks can be matte or metallic.
Turnaround time for engraving is 3-4 weeks after final approval
Foil printing uses sheets of opaque foil, a printing plate, and a heating element to press your design into the paper, similar to letterpress. Foil printing allows us to use metallic colors like gold to print your stationery.
Turnaround time for foil printing is 3-4 weeks after final approval
