DIY Tips

If you're not printing on paper pre-cut to your finished dimensions, you're going to have to do some cutting once everything is printed.  This can seem like one of the most daunting tasks when diy-ing your stationery, but it doesn't have to be.

 

AT HOME

Your final print ready files from Belletristics will include crop marks that will show you exactly where to cut your paper. To see an example of a crop marks, download this sample file: Sample Invitation File

Put down the scissors! Chances are, if you use scissors, you're not going to get a good, professional looking, straight cut. Invest in a good quality paper cutter, and plenty of replacement blades.

Types of paper cutters: Exacto Knife, Rotary Cutter,  Swing Arm Cutter

Exacto Knife: You'll also need a good cutting mat and ruler, you should be able to find them at any craft store

exacto knife pros: precise cuts, replacement blades are very inexpensive
exacto knife cons: time consuming, can be dangerous—watch your fingers!

Rotary Cutter: round blade that rolls down a track to cut your paper; usually has a grid/ruler/guides

rotary cutter pros: precise straight cuts, easy to line up cuts
rotary cutter cons: there are a lot of different models out there, and it's hard to tell if the cutter will work well without testing it out first

Swing Arm Cutter: (also known as a guillotine cutter) Long blade on a hinge, swings down to cut paper

swing arm cutter pros: fast and efficient, some have self sharpening blades, some can cut more than 1 piece of paper at a time
swing arm cutter cons: cheaper models may break or not cut properly after awhile

TIP: Go to an office store for your paper cutter- you'll often find the same cutters as at a craft store for much cheaper. Buy a good cutter the first time. Yes, it may cost you $30-$75, but it will be worth it in the long run.

PROFESSIONAL

If the thought of cutting 100's of pieces of paper by yourself is way too scary, don't worry! Many printers and office stores offer cutting services. If you're having your stationery professionally printed, they will likely do the cutting for you. If you're printing at home, stop by your local office store (e.g. Kinko's, Office Depot)- many offer cutting services for a small fee.

ADHESIVE (optional)

If you're using a mat or pocketfold/other enclosure, you're going to have to stick the paper together somehow.
Don't use any liquid glue- it can warp your paper, and may show through even when dry.
You can use whatever adhesive floats your boat: double sided tape, glue runner/tape runner, just make sure it does the job and stays stuck. Test out your adhesive of choice using the same paper you'll use for your final project, let the glued together paper sit for a few days, then check to make sure they're still stuck together.

For thick papers, it sometimes help to put the adhesive on both papers, so you're sticking adhesive to adhesive.
If nothing seems to be holding for you, there is always the 3M ATG (adhesive transfer gun). Yes, they are expensive and sometimes hard to find, but they stick like no other. Once you've bought the actual gun, refills aren't too expensive—around $4 each, but stock up since shipping is often more expensive than the refill.

PATIENCE

Do it yourself is time consuming; plan accordingly. Don't let the magnitude of the project overwhelm you—break it down into sections (e.g. do all your printing one day, then cutting another day). Put in some good movies or catch up on all the shows you DVR'd and never watched.
Enlist the help of your bridesmaids, friends, and family (and fiancé!) if they're willing. Try to make it fun for them—or bribe them with margaritas!—and don't be a slave driver. You may want to stay up till 3 am to finish everything, but your friends have lives too.

POSTAGE (for invitations)

Once you have everything figured out, take one of your assembled invitations (with all your inserts, rsvp envelope, ribbon, etc) in an envelope to the post office to be weighed. They'll let you know what the postage rate to mail will be.
Keep in mind: square envelopes, very rigid envelopes, and odd sizes will cost more to mail.

TIP: check out the USPS website for letter pricing by weight but remember, postage rates change.
Don't forget stamps for your RSVP envelope/postcard!

Not loving the stamp selection at the post office?  Check out Belletristics' Zazzle Shop for classy postage options! Or order a custom design to match your invite—custom postage design is free with any purchase!

Visit Belletristics' DIY Supplies & Resources page for more recommendations for supplies.