Make Your Own Butterfly
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Materials used to make butterfly wedding invitations:8 1/2 by 11" card stock
butterfly decorative paper
(vellum if possible)
glue stick or glue runner
Step One: Getting the words on paper. For these butterfly wedding invitations I had to be a little more particular than usual with where I placed the invitation's text. Some of the graphics on the vellum paper on the front of the invitation were quite dark and would drown out the text. To go about printing the words around the text I got out a ruler.
First I measured which area of the paper would be on the front of the invite so I would know which parts of the butterfly picture would be in the way of the text. I then measured the space in which I would not want to print onto.
When I started the task of actually setting up the text in a desktop publishing program (word processing programs will work also), I made sure and placed a box (using the measurements I took) straight into the document where the graphics would fall on the invitation. This way I will ensure that I absolutely will not run the risk of printing into the graphics and drowning out the text.
Just make sure and erase the box before you print it. Either that or change the color of the box to white so that it will be invisible.
* A note about using a word processor - to get a 2-up layout using a word processor just set up the page into 2 columns. Make the space between the columns equal to the size of the margins on the outside of the page.
Step Two:
Cutting the paper
. You can cut these papers by hand using a personal paper cutter to save a little extra money but I recommend you bring them to a copy shop or print shop to have them cut on a hydraulic cutting machine. You will get a perfect cut every time, and the people cutting your papers are experienced at it so they will make sure they are trimmed leaving your text perfectly centered on the page.
* While you are at it you can even have the text copied onto the butterfly embellishment paper as well.
Have the card stock base cut in half to make two 5 1/2" by 8 1/2" pieces. The embellishment paper should be cut into 5" by 8" rectangles. This also depends on the paper you choose. For example, the paper I chose had the butterfly pictures facing vertically on the page. If I were to cut it in half to make the specified dimensions than they would be facing the wrong way on the invitation. I will cut each 5 x 8 rectangle out of the corner of the paper and use the leftover paper to make matching RSVP cards.
Step Three: Finishing touches. To finish the butterfly wedding invitations attach the top layer of embellishment paper (with the text printed onto it) onto the card stock base with a glue stick or glue runner. Make sure and center it on the card as best as possible.
More tips for making butterfly wedding invitations...
* For an alternative way to attach the two paper layers, use a paper punch on the top center of the invite and thread a thin ribbon through it to tie the papers together with a bow.
* To go a step further than attaching ribbon, tie some dried flowers into the bow.
* If you wanna skip the "do it yourself" part of these invitations visit my
custom invitations page.
I can make the invitations for you, or you can even order custom text
templates to print them yourself!
See Also...
Another example of a butterfly wedding invitation
How to print onto blank invitations
The best glues to use for making invitations
Order custom text templates or custom printable wedding maps
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