Cutting and Folding
Invitation Paper

How to go about cutting and/or folding your invitation paper can make or break the appearance of your invitation. Cutting and folding sounds easy but there is a lot involved and it is very easy to fudge it.

Folding invitation paper - For most traditional card styles (aside from some wedding invitations) require some kind of fold. Depending on the thickness of the paper it may be a very easy step.
If you are working with a thin paper folding will be a cinch. It's the thicker papers like card stock where you might just run into a little trouble. The thick paper sometimes tends to wrinkle when folding. The wrinkle makes the cards look awful. Messy!

* try using a scoring tool. A scoring tool is a small plastic device used to make a clean crease into paper. Most craft stores now sell scoring tools to make decorative creases in paper for cardmaking and scrapbooking projects. I use it to make a straight line crease where I will fold the card.A lot of sliding paper trimmers also come with their own scoring tool attachments as well. Like the Fiskars 12" ultimate paper trimmer for example.

Fiskars 12" Ultimate Craft Trimmer - $ 32.29 The Fiskars Ultimate Craft Trimmer includes 3 additional interchangeable face plates. Transparent fingerprint guard protects photos and papers while trimming. Self-leveling swing-out ruler with paper guide for more precise, level measuring surface up to 13 1/2". Extended measuring surface with swing-out ruler which allows trimming from right and left hand alignments. Trimmer also comes with two EZ Change Rotary Blade Carriages-one straight and one scoring-for easy switching of blades between cutting patterns.

* Another option is to take your invitations to a copy or print shop equipped with a folding machine. This is a great option for a complicated fold. Folding in half is easily accomplished but once you delve into folding in thirds, or something like my duckie birthday invitations. It tends to get a bit more difficult and time consuming.

Cutting invitation paper - Make a mistake while cutting your invitation paper and the invitations are ruined. One bad cut can not only give the paper itself an absolutely crookedappearance, but can also ruin the text on the card or just plain waste perfectly good paper. If the cut is off then the text will no longer be centered on the card. Here are some tips to ensure a clean straight cut.

* For the easiest way out bring your invitations to a copy shop or print shop and have them cut on a hydraulic cutting machine. The technician running the cutter will be experienced at this and will make sure you have a perfect cut. It is usually very inexpensive as well. I used a copy shop to cut all of my papers for my wedding invitations last summer and it only cost me ten dollars. That was for all of the invites, the RSVP cards, and the cards I made for directions to the ceremony and reception.

* For hand cutting I recommend purchasing a blade paper trimmer or guillotine paper cutter. I use the Fiskars 12 inch paper trimmer and it works great! I can cut up to five regular sheets of invitation paper at a time, there are guidelines and a ruler on the trimmer to help me measure and it even comes with a scoring tool as well.
A guillotine paper cutter works well also although you will be able to work much faster with a blade trimmer. I recommend going with the Tonic guillotine paper trimmer.

Tonic-Guillotine Paper Trimmer - $ 15.97 Measuring grid is in inches. Ideal for scrapbooking, card making, crafts, and photographs. A soft grip carrying handle and cutting arm. The stainless steel precision ground blade cuts up to 5 sheets of 60 lb paper. Paper holding bar ensures a straight, clean cut every time. Cuts up to 8.5" (22 cm). 5 year manufacturer guarantee.

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