Frequently asked printing questions
Printing
Toner is used with digital printing, which lays flat on your paper of choice. All other printing methods require the use of a die or plate.
Letterpress is printed with ink and is done with a polymer die. The colors are softened and a little mottled if the printing field is large. Letterpress presses into the page.
Foiling is created by stamping a metallic or pigmented foil into the page using a metal die. The colors are crisp and it is the only one of our printing techniques that offers a shiny metallic finish. Foiling presses into the page but not as deeply as letterpress.
Blind debossing and embossing create an impression without ink. Blind debossing stamps the impression into the cardstock. Blind embossing works in reverse, it extrudes the image from the cardstock.
Thermography combines offset ink with a powdered resin which is baked. This has the effect of raising the text off the page. The result is the shiny ink that can be felt when a hand is run across the cardstock.
Yes, we can combine any of our print processes with the exception of Thermography with Letterpressing/Foiling/Blind Embossing or Debossing. Thermography must be the last step in a process or the finish can be compromised.
Yes, we want it to match as much as you do. However, some ink colors are easier to match than others. But, the best practice is to be consistent with the printing method across all components.
Yes! We’re happy to help produce your pre-designed invitations. Use our Custom Artwork product to order.
It depends upon the printing process that you are choosing. There are a few options to consider:
Single thickness: we recommend digital printing for single-thickness or a double sided card. If you would like foil on one side, we will minimize the impression of the foil as much as possible so that it doesn’t make an impression on the reverse side. We can also print thermography on one side of a double sided card. For both foil and thermography, it will need to be digitally printed on the reverse side.
Double thickness: for a double-thick card, we cannot print on the reverse side with the exception of a lightly pressed foil print on both sides.
Duplexed card: if you would like Letterpress, Thermography, Foil Printing or any other specialized print process on both sides, the best way to accomplish that is to print both sides on a single thickness cardstock and then stick them together. This process is called duplexing.
It would cost virtually the same to create a sample of any card with a special print process as it will to run the entire job, therefore, we only offer digitally printed samples. Digitally printed samples will still show you the final size and layout of your suite.
We print everything in-house so that we can keep an eye on everything as it goes through the printing process.
Ordering
Yes, our brick and mortar is in Bellevue which is near Seattle. If you prefer the experience of ordering your stationery in-person so you can touch and feel the product, you are welcome to make an appointment to talk with one of our wedding specialists. Pricing varies from online pricing.
If you are local and would like to save on shipping, select the ‘pick up at store option’. This is only available for our Bellevue location.
Packages are always a better deal. However if your needs are different from the packages that we offer, a la carte offers more flexibility to craft the suite that is perfect for you.
Yes, on an order of 200 or more, we offer a 20% discount.
50 is the minimum quantity for invitations; 10 is the minimum quantity for bulk items without printing; 25 is the minimum quantity for printed bulk items.
We have a minimum reorder of 25. If your invitation suite uses a die, there will be another setup and run fee. It is best to order extras at the time of placing your order to avoid incurring additional fees.
No, your guest address list needs to be submitted once you are ready to approve your order for production. Please make sure it is complete prior to submission. Our merge templates do not check for spelling mistakes.
Please review our etiquette page, for helpful tips and invitation language.
You can choose between two routes:
- Doing it the way the post office prefers: use abbreviations for road, state, etc.
- Doing it the traditional way: write everything out including the road, state, etc.
Keep in mind that we will not change how you populate your form. Be sure to fill out the form how you would like it to print.
Visit our etiquette page for some helpful hints on typical invitation language. When you submit your wording, if we see anything that is out of the ordinary, we will be sure to mention it when we email your proofs.
Please visit our etiquette page for descriptions of each attire to help you decide what is appropriate for your event.
We offer 3 rounds of edits with your catalog invitation purchase. Please consolidate your changes when you send them to us. Custom and semi-custom invitation orders will be governed by separate rules.
Keep in mind that every screen renders color differently. There will always be a difference between what is seen on a screen versus real life.
Turnaround times vary depending on what you order. The times range from 2 business days to 3 weeks. Here is chart of our times:
UNPRINTED BULK
ORDERS
Envelopes/cardstock
– 2 business days
Pouches – 3 business
days
PRINTED BULK ORDERS*
Envelopes/liners/cardstock/pouches
– 5 business days
Assembly – adds 3
business days
INVITATIONS ORDERS*
digitally printed –
10 business days
specialty printed –
15 business days
*If your order is proofed, above turnaround times
will begin after proof approval
Most of the time we can offer to expedite your order in-house. Rush fees are dependent upon our current workload and the print process that are present in your job. If you need your order faster than our normal turnaround times, request a quote for a rush order when you are approving your order.
We recommend ordering 10% more or a quantity of five, whichever is the greater number. If you think your guest list will continue to change or you might add a B list, order extras accordingly.
Invite product
Yes, we can special order paper and envelopes for you that we don’t currently stock. Please be specific as to what you are looking for and we’ll let you know what we can source and how much additional it will cost.
Yes, in fact we love to customize! Please fill out our Custom Quote form and we’ll work with you to create your dream invitations. We like to think if you can dream it, we can print it!
Our catalog size of invitation is a 5×7 which fits into an A7 envelope and is a standard size. We do also have square envelopes however they are not listed in our catalog. If you are interested in a square invite or an alternate size from a 5×7, please fill out our Custom Quote form and let us know what you would like.
Yes, we can customize your rsvp to list meal choices and event options. Please be as specific as you can when submitting your rsvp wording.
Yes, many people are now moving toward rsvping online. If you chose to do that, we recommend invite/details or invite/two details, which offers a details card/s to give details about how to rsvp in addition to other important wedding information that doesn’t belong on the invitation.
Make sure your online rsvp has the capability to collect the information that you need to have – entree selections, etc.
If you are having a traditional or formal celebration, consider keeping an rsvp card to match your overall wedding style.
We do offer assembly which is sticking layers together. For example, sticking an invite layer to a backer or a pouch. Assembly is not stuffing. If you add in assembly, you will still need to stuff your invite and other pieces into an envelope. Should you desire to have us stuff as well, we do offer a white glove service. See the Finished Invite questions “Can you mail my invitations for me?”
Yes, please submit a word document separately with your wording typeset into the foreign language. Please also include any font file that is necessary to render the language correctly. As with the rest of the invitation, proofreading and spell checking are your responsibility.
Yes, this is our specialty and where Marsupial Papers really shines; we have a huge selection of over 60 colors!
If we are digitally printing your envelopes, the ink color must be darker than the paper color. The only exception to this rule is white ink. So, you’ll notice if you choose a dark envelope, the only ink option will be white.
Our graphics and monograms are proprietary. Let us know what additional printing you need, we have many vendors to help print a wide range of products.
If you need a graphic or monogram for your website, we can provide a jpg or png with resolution appropriate for web use.
Contact us ASAP. If we haven’t yet printed or ordered dies, we will fix the error. If we have started production, we will let you know what options are available to you.
Invite-related product
Yes, we sell tissue in a variety of sizes. Shop them all!
We can custom design your website to match your invitation. Prices start at $500. Please fill out our Custom Quote form with details to get a more precise quote.
Yes, we can help with anything printed! Programs, menus, table numbers, place cards, escort cards, favor tags, thank you notes, seating charts, and more. While we don’t have them listed on our website yet, fill out our Custom Quote form with details and we’ll work with you to design matching day-of pieces.
We can always help design something for an event other than weddings. If you find a suitable invite among our catalog, use our normal ordering process and provide the text that is appropriate to your event. If you’d like something custom, fill out our Custom Quote form with as many details as possible.
finished product
Postage depends upon the weight and size of your invitation suite so there is no set price. We recommend taking your sample invitation to the post office to get them to give you an official postage amount.
Yes, we do offer white glove service. The price to stuff, stamp and mail is dependent upon the number of pieces in your order and the quantity. Postage is also determined based on the weight and size of your invitation. During the proofing/approval process, contact us if you are interested in our white glove service, and we will give you a quote.
Yes, we ship via USPS and UPS and will provide a tracking number for either. We will also require a signature to receive an invitation order. Please consider that when filling out your ship to address – a workplace may be easier to receive than your house. We want to make sure your investment in your invitations is protected!
Yes, we ship to Canada.
