When we speak about the trends in the wedding invitations industry, it’s not possible to keep up with the new concepts from creative hands all over the world. There will always be new design styles, new print types and innovative paper stock which always gives us shivers whenever we see them for the first time in person. Today we’re going to talk about one of the most requested premium options: handmade paper wedding invitations.
Why Choose Handmade Paper for Wedding Invitations
If you’re a fan of this type of paper and want to use it as your invitations, congratulations because you just tick-off your wishlist on having timeless and luxury wedding invitations before even start designing. Handmade paper wedding invitations are very noticeable as they have distinctive characteristics such as deckled edges, rough surface and unique shades. It gives classic premium touch to any wedding invitations and works best with minimal design and typography.
How Handmade Paper Created?
Handmade paper, just like its name, is created almost 100% by hand and sourced from used paper. Because of its process, the production of this paper takes longer than usual. That’s why it is more expensive compared to papers we can find in various paper suppliers and retail stores. Due to its special finishes, the deckled edge handmade paper has print limitations which make it not the most printer friendly paper to print on. The rough texture makes it impossible to print blocks of colour evenly or to expand decorative elements to the bleed area (the edge of the paper). Therefore, before proceeding to the design proofing process, we encourage our clients to share their design vision with us so we can discuss the best possible options if they are keen to go with this specialty paper.
Stress-Free Ordering Process
We know that understanding the characteristics of each paper is sometimes confusing. That’s why we want to take the stress off your shoulders by letting you focus on what style you want to achieve and supply the wording while we handle everything in the design and printing process. Ordering deckled edge wedding invitations has never been this easy. Simply let our customer service team know about your dream invitations by filling the form below. We will get back to you with a quote and ask a few questions if we have one or two things to clarify with you.
Deckled Edge Wedding Invitation Styles
The deckled edge is a design choice before a single word is printed. The raw, irregular border communicates something about your values as a couple – a preference for the handcrafted, the organic, the genuinely unique. Here’s how couples are using this paper to its best advantage.
Minimalist typography on handmade paper: The simplest approach is often the most powerful. A single clean typeface – ideally a classic serif or an understated italic script – centered on handmade paper. The texture and deckled edge do all the visual heavy lifting. No border, no illustration, no ornament needed.
Watercolor washes: A soft wash of color – dusty rose, sage green, warm ivory, or deep navy – applied loosely over the paper’s natural texture creates a painterly, romantic effect. Because the paper doesn’t accept heavy ink coverage evenly, this style plays to its strengths. The imperfection is the point.
Letterpress on cotton paper: Arguably the best pairing in wedding stationery. The pressed impression of letterpress printing into handmade cotton paper creates a tactile invitation that guests can feel with their fingertips. Wild Cotton Double Thick at 600gsm is our heaviest cotton stock – it feels more like a small piece of fabric than a card. Letterpress stock starts at 300gsm for something more refined.
Botanical line illustrations: Fine-line drawings of botanicals – eucalyptus, ferns, olive branches, wildflowers – pair beautifully with the natural quality of handmade paper. The slight variation in ink absorption gives line art a warmth that’s impossible to achieve on smooth stock.
Explore Paperlust’s range of handmade paper wedding invitations to see how different styles translate to this distinctive paper type.
Design Tips for Handmade Paper Invitations
Working with handmade paper requires a slightly different design philosophy. Here’s what to keep in mind to get the best results.
Keep text centered and minimal: Handmade paper performs best with centered text layouts and generous margins. Avoid full-bleed designs that push text or decoration to the very edge – the deckled border itself is the frame, so work within it.
Avoid heavy ink coverage: Because the surface is slightly irregular, large blocks of solid color will print unevenly. Embrace this, or avoid it by using line art and text only. If you want a colored background, consider a tinted handmade paper rather than printing a color fill.
Use script or serif fonts: Script and serif typefaces feel natural on handmade paper – they echo its handcrafted quality. Stark modern sans-serif fonts can work if you’re going for a deliberate contrast (modern text on antique paper), but they require careful execution.
Embrace the variation: No two sheets of handmade paper are identical. The deckled edges will vary slightly, the texture will shift, and the paper may have tiny inclusions – fibers, flecks, or variations in tone. These are features, not flaws. Share your design vision with our team early in the process so we can advise on what will look best given the paper’s characteristics.
Handmade Paper vs. Other Specialty Stocks
Handmade paper is one of several specialty stock options available at Paperlust. Here’s how it compares.
Wild Cotton Double Thick (600gsm): Paperlust’s premium cotton stock is the closest thing to handmade paper in terms of texture and prestige, but it’s more printer-friendly – it accepts letterpress impressions beautifully and has a consistent surface. If you love the feel of handmade but want more design flexibility, this is the stock to request.
Vellum: Translucent and elegant, vellum works best as a wrap or overlay over a printed inner card rather than as the primary substrate. A vellum layer with a single line of script over a handmade paper card underneath creates a layered, luxurious effect.
Kraft: Earthy, natural, and slightly rough, kraft paper suits rustic or outdoor-themed weddings. It doesn’t have the deckled edge characteristic, but it shares handmade paper’s naturalistic aesthetic. It works especially well for digital print designs with earthy color palettes.
Seed paper: Plantable seed paper is embedded with wildflower seeds – guests can plant the invitation after your wedding and grow flowers. It’s a remarkable option for eco-conscious couples. Request our $20 full swatch kit to feel the difference between all these stocks in person before choosing. (Note: the $5 sample pack and $20 swatch kit are available for most papers; the $15 custom sample is not available for letterpress.)
Complete Deckled Edge Invitation Suite Ideas
A cohesive suite elevates the unboxing experience from a single invitation to a complete first impression of your wedding. Here’s how to build a deckled edge suite that feels intentional from the moment the envelope is opened.
Envelope: A warm white or natural fiber envelope with a deckled flap (if possible) or a wax seal closure. The envelope sets expectations before anything else is touched.
Main invitation card: Handmade paper with your ceremony details, printed with letterpress or digital print depending on your design. Deckled on all four edges for maximum effect, or just along the bottom for a more subtle touch.
Details card: A smaller card (smooth stock is fine here) with venue directions, accommodation, and a QR code to your wedding website. This contrast of smooth card inside a textured envelope suite actually works well – the different textures add visual interest.
RSVP card and envelope: Browse Paperlust’s full wedding invitations collection to see complete suite options including RSVP cards. Envelope address printing is available at approximately $0.20 per address, saving you hours of hand-writing.
Finishing touches: Tissue paper interleaving, ribbon, a sprig of dried botanicals, or custom envelope seal stickers printed with your monogram or wedding date all add that final layer of care that guests remember.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a deckled edge wedding invitation?
A deckled edge invitation is printed on handmade paper with natural, irregular torn edges rather than clean machine-cut edges. It’s a hallmark of traditional handmade papermaking and gives invitations a distinctive artisanal quality.
Can you do letterpress on handmade paper?
Yes – letterpress is one of the most beautiful print methods for handmade paper. Paperlust offers letterpress on cotton paper starting at 300gsm, with Wild Cotton Double Thick at 600gsm as the premium stock. Note the $15 custom sample is not available for letterpress – request the $5 sample pack or $20 swatch kit instead.
How do I order deckled edge wedding invitations?
Contact Paperlust’s customer service team with your design vision. Because handmade paper has specific print limitations, our team will discuss the best approach before proceeding. Designer proofs are delivered within 1 to 2 business days, with two rounds of edits included.
Are handmade paper invitations more expensive?
Yes – specialty paper costs more due to the production process. But because the paper itself creates so much visual interest, the design doesn’t need to be complex, which can keep print costs manageable. Wedding invitations start from $2.04 per card.