The Order Guide
Let’s create the wedding invitations of your dreams.
The Order Guide will walk you through the customization options and order process for our semi-custom Wedding Invitations and Save the Dates. We provide the highest quality materials and production methods available, and we will meticulously assemble your suites to ensure your guests receive the best presentation of your wedding stationery.
While many aspects of your suite are customizable, please note that the fonts, designs, and card sizes are fixed and cannot be changed.
To experience the quality of our stationery for yourself, we recommend ordering a sample set.
This order guide is specifically for clients ordering Save the Dates or Invitations from the semi-custom collection. For custom stationery clients, the design options are limitless.
Paper
Cards are printed on premium, 118# cotton cardstock in color of choice. Suitable for all print methods.
Upgrade to double-thick 236# paper for an ultra-luxe experience. Suitable for all print methods, but especially recommended for letterpress print.
Our paper is top-of-the-line, 100% cotton paper that has a soft, pillowy texture. Our paper is certified as eco-friendly by the Rain Forest Alliance.
Bright White - a cool, bright white
Soft White - a soft, warm white
Double-thick paper - UPGRADE
Print Methods
Digital Flat - included in your order
~ Choose your own ink color
Our most economical option. Professional grade, full-color digital printing that produces a flat finish.
If you run your finger over the print area, you will feel the texture of the paper.
If you prefer a metallic finish, see the foil press printing method.
White Ink - included in your order
Similar to digital color printing, white ink printing produces a flat finish, but the entire design is printed in opaque white ink.
If you run your finger over the print area, you will feel the texture of the paper.
This method is only available for dark-colored paper.
Letterpress - UPGRADE ($$$)
~ Choose your own ink color
An antique, manual printing method that uses a physical plate to press your design into the paper with ink, creating a deep, pillowy impression.
If you run your finger over the print area, you will feel an indentation in the paper.
We recommend upgrading to double-thick cardstock to enhance the dimensional effect that letterpress creates.
Foil Press - UPGRADE ($$$)
~ Choose from 6 foil colors
Similar to letterpress, foil printing uses a plate plus heat to press your design into paper with foil, creating an impression with a metallic finish.
If you run your finger over the print area, you will feel an indentation in the paper.
Opt for foil press if you want to incorporate metallic colors (like gold) in your design.
Envelope Colors
Ink Colors & Foil Colors
For Digital Flat and Letterpress printing: choose your own ink color if you have a specific shade in mind (an RGB / HEX code is preferred for accuracy) or select from our curated selection of ink colors below. For Foil Press printing: choose from 6 metallic foil colors.
Metallic foil color options for foil press printing
Embellishments
Beyond paper and printing methods, there are many ways to further customize your suite for standout invitations.
Add the following embellishments to your invitation or Save the Date suite by shopping the Embellishments page. All embellishments include assembly.
Invitation Wraps
Silk Ribbon wrap colors
Satin Ribbon wrap colors
Suggested ink colors for digital flat or letterpress printing
Twine wrap colors
Wax Seals
Wax seals are hand-poured and sent with an adhesive backing for you to peel-and-stick to seal your own envelopes. The adhesive backing uses professional-grade, permanent adhesive to help ensure your wax seals survive the mailing process.
Envelope Address Printing
Available for Main Envelope and RSVP Envelope. The font style will match that of your invitation suite.
Please note: certain envelope colors require Color Ink printing and others require White Ink printing. Please reference your desired envelope color above for addressing options.
Color ink: full color digital printing for all light to medium colored envelopes. Choose your ink color. White ink: digital opaque white ink printing, available for select dark envelope colors.
NOTE: some embellishments (such as ribbon wrap or wax seals) may require additional postage to mail. We always recommend taking one of your fully assembled invitation sets to your local post office where they can weigh and measure your suite and advise on the appropriate shipping costs.
Please don’t hesitate to email us at hello@meladesignco.com with any questions regarding customization.
Order Process
01. PLACE YOUR ORDER
Purchase your chosen Invitation or Save the Date set. Don’t forget to add any desired Embellishments to your order before checking out.
You don’t need to provide your customization details during checkout. We’ll handle the customization in the next steps.
02. COMPLETE THE CUSTOMIZATION QUESTIONNAIRE
You’ll receive a customization questionnaire from us within 2 business days of submitting your order. Complete the questionnaire by providing your invitation wording and customization preferences.
The questionnaire is very comprehensive and will guide you through any questions you may have about wording and customization.
If you’re unsure about how to word your invitations, simply provide the pertinent details on the form and we’ll assist you with wording.
03. REVIEW YOUR PROOFS
You will receive digital proofs of your customized invitations within 3 business days of completing your questionnaire.
Check the proofs carefully to ensure all spelling, wording, and customization details are accurate before approving.
Respond with either your proof approval or request for any changes. *
Please allow 1-2 days for proof revisions.
04. PRODUCTION & SHIPPING
Once you approve your proofs, we’ll start production on your order immediately.
If you have purchased envelope address printing, your guest addresses will be due upon proof approval.
Shipping timeframe: Your invitations will be shipped within 2-3 weeks after you approve your proofs.*
Assembly: Your invitation suites will arrive fully assembled. Just stamp and seal the envelopes before mailing to your guests!
Please review your proofs carefully before giving final approval, as no changes can be made once your approval is received.
* More complex orders may require an additional week for production.
*You are allotted 3 revised proofs after the initial proof (4 proofs total) at no charge; any changes thereafter will incur a $30 fee per proof.
Please keep in mind that revisions and the timeliness of your response may affect the lead time of your order.
Shipping
We offer free standard shipping on all domestic U.S. orders. Kindly note that we only ship to the United States at this time.
Rush shipping fees will apply to rush orders.