Finding the right save the dates means balancing design, format, budget, and timing - and getting all three right from the start. Whether you are looking for letterpress luxury, clean digital print, fridge-worthy magnets, or no-envelope postcards, this collection covers every style and every guest list. Browse 500+ exclusive designs from independent artists, starting from $1 per card, with a professional designer assigned to every order.
- Starting price: From $1 per card (digital print)
- Formats: Cards, magnets, postcards
- Print methods: Digital print, letterpress, flat foil, white ink, metallic
- Designer proof: Within 1-2 business days
- Edits included: Two rounds at no extra cost
- Rush option: 24-hour production available
- Free shipping: DHL Express on orders over $500
- Bilingual text: Fully customizable in French, English, or both
Save the Date Formats
Paperlust save the dates come in four formats - each suited to a different kind of couple, budget, and guest experience.
| Format | Best For | Starting From |
|---|---|---|
| Cards | Classic mailed announcement, keepsake quality | $1 per card |
| Magnets | Maximum visibility - stays on the fridge for months | $8 for 10 |
| Postcards | No envelope needed, lower postage, great for destination weddings | From $1 per card |
Canadian wedding culture follows US save the date conventions closely - sending 6 to 8 months ahead for local weddings, and 9 to 12 months for destination events. The cross-border dynamic is worth planning for: couples with guests on both sides of the Canada-US border should treat American guests as destination guests and send at the earlier end of that range, giving everyone time to sort out travel and accommodation. In Quebec, bilingual save the dates in both French and English are a thoughtful choice for mixed-language guest lists - Paperlust's design tool lets you customize every line of text, so both languages sit elegantly side by side. A save the date is the first impression of your wedding stationery suite, and getting it right in two languages takes only a few words more.
Magnets are available as a checkout add-on on any design in the collection - choose your design, customize it with your details, and select the magnet option at checkout. Two formats: pre-applied magnet backing (ready to stick straight on the fridge) and self-adhesive sticker sheets for a lower-cost option.
Print Methods for Save the Dates
The print method shapes the feel of your save the dates as much as the design does. Here is what each option delivers:
- Digital print: The most affordable option. Full colour, sharp photos, fastest production. Works on matte, metallic, linen, kraft, and blush stocks.
- Letterpress: A debossed impression pressed into 300gsm or 600gsm Wild Cotton paper. Tactile, luxe, and handcrafted in our Melbourne studio.
- Flat foil: Real metallic foil in gold, rose gold, silver, copper, holographic, and more. No custom die required - faster and more accessible than traditional foil stamp.
- White ink: Printed on dark or coloured stocks including kraft, vellum, navy, cobalt, and burgundy. Perfect for moody or dramatic palettes.
- Metallic: A subtle metallic sheen built into the printing process. Quieter than foil, still elevated.
Not sure which print method suits your design? Every order includes a professional designer who will guide you through the options - and a designer proof is delivered within 1-2 business days so you can see exactly how your cards will look before production begins. Two rounds of edits are included at no extra cost.
Want to feel the difference between paper stocks before you commit? A $5 sample pack includes seven designs across different print methods. A full swatch kit is also available for $20.
Looking for matching wedding invitations? Browse the full wedding invitations collection - every design is available across both products so your stationery coordinates from the save the date through to the invitation suite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paperlust save the date cards are 140mm x 107mm (approximately 5.5" x 4.2"), the industry standard for save the dates. Custom sizes including 5x7 and 4x6 are available on request - contact the team before placing your order to confirm options.
Save the dates start from $1 per card for digital print. Letterpress and foil options are priced higher depending on the print method, paper stock, and quantity. Orders over $500 qualify for free DHL Express shipping to Canada. New customers receive $20 off their first purchase when they sign up.
Most Canadian couples send save the dates 6 to 12 months before the wedding. Destination weddings and long weekends like Canada Day or Thanksgiving warrant the earlier end of that range - 9 to 12 months - to give guests time to arrange travel and accommodation. Local weddings can send as late as 6 months out.
Order one per household, not one per guest. A couple sharing an address receives one card between them. Add 10 to 15 percent extra to your household count for keepsakes, late additions, and addressing errors. Most couples need fewer save the dates than they initially budget for.
Yes. Most designs support photo uploads, and the design team can enhance photo brightness, contrast, and retouching on request. Your designer proof - delivered within 1-2 business days - shows exactly how your photo will sit in the design before production begins. Two rounds of edits are included at no extra cost.
The pre-applied magnet backing means Paperlust applies the magnet to the back of your card before shipping - guests receive a ready-to-use fridge magnet. The self-adhesive magnet sticker sheet is a lower-cost option where you apply the backing yourself. Both use the same design and print method. Magnets are a checkout add-on on any save the date design.
Paperlust offers three save the date formats: cards, magnets, and postcards. Cards are the classic choice; magnets stay visible on the refrigerator for months; postcards reduce postage costs and work well for destination weddings. All three formats are produced as physical printed pieces and shipped with DHL Express tracking.
Digital print, letterpress, flat foil, white ink, and metallic print are all available. Digital print is most affordable and fastest. Letterpress is pressed into 300gsm or 600gsm Wild Cotton paper for a tactile, luxury finish. Flat foil adds real metallic foil in gold, rose gold, silver, copper, holographic, and more. White ink prints on dark coloured stocks including kraft, navy, and vellum. Metallic adds a subtle sheen through the printing process.
Yes. Save the dates are sent first - typically 6 to 12 months before the wedding - to give guests early notice of the date and general location. Formal wedding invitations follow 6 to 8 weeks before the event for local weddings, or 10 to 12 weeks for destination weddings. All Paperlust save the date designs have matching wedding invitations available.
The essentials are: couple's names, wedding date, and general location (city or province - you do not need to name the venue). Most couples also include their wedding website URL. Avoid listing registry details or full event schedules on your save the date - those belong in the formal invitation.
Matching your save the date to your wedding theme creates a cohesive stationery suite. If your style evolves slightly between save the date and invitation, coordinating colours and paper stocks help tie everything together. The most important thing is that the design reflects both of you.
A strong save the date reflects your wedding's style while making the date and location impossible to miss. Good design balances readability with aesthetics - clear typography, a layout that prioritizes key information, and a print finish that hints at the level of formality guests can expect. Photo save the dates remain perennially popular for their personal warmth.
Yes. Any save the date can be customized to be double-sided. Some designs already include a second panel; for others, you can add a back in the design tool. The second side works well for your wedding website URL, travel hints, or an engagement photo.
All Paperlust save the date designs have matching wedding invitations in the same collection. Browse the wedding invitations collection and filter by your chosen design style. While some competitors offer a single free RSVP card with invitation orders, we unlock 15% off the entire suite - invitation, RSVP, details, save-the-date, and thank-you - when you order three or more card types in one checkout.
Yes - and in 2026, most couples do. A QR code linking to your wedding website lets guests find accommodation details, travel guidance, and RSVP info without cluttering the card. Make it at least 2cm x 2cm for reliable scanning. Your designer can help position it cleanly within the layout.
Send updated notifications as quickly as possible, clearly labeled "Updated Save the Date - please note our new date." For destination weddings where guests may have booked non-refundable travel, a personal message before the printed update arrives is a thoughtful extra step.
It is not necessary to include guest names on the card itself. Standard practice is to address the outer envelope by name while keeping the card focused on the couple's names, date, and location.
You do not have to, but you can if a guest is confirmed to have a plus one. If your plus-one list is still being finalized, it is perfectly acceptable to hold off and confirm via the formal invitation.
Traditionally the bride's name goes first. Modern couples often choose the order based on personal preference, how the names sound together, or what looks best typographically. Same-sex couples commonly use alphabetical order or whichever name reads better within the design layout.
Yes. Submit your artwork and quantity details via the custom order page for a quote. Custom design orders are handled by the team directly.
Yes. A $5 sample pack includes seven designs across different print methods and paper stocks. A $20 full swatch kit covers all available paper stocks. A $15 custom sample of your exact design is available for most print methods (custom samples are not available for letterpress).
After placing your order, a professional designer is assigned and delivers a digital proof within 1-2 business days. You review the proof, request any changes, and approve before production begins. Two rounds of edits are included at no extra cost.
Yes. 24-hour rush production is available for an additional fee on digital print and flat foil orders. Letterpress and foil stamp take longer due to the handcrafted process - contact customer service to discuss your timeline if you have an urgent deadline.
Yes. Free white envelopes are included with all card orders. Coloured and textured envelope upgrades are available to complement your design.
Paperlust plants a tree with every order. Paper stocks include FSC-certified and recycled options. The Melbourne studio uses responsible sourcing across all print methods and packaging.
If you are not completely satisfied with your order, Paperlust will reprint or refund it. The guarantee is backed by a live chat support team available throughout the design, proof, and delivery process.
Yes. Paperlust ships to Canada via DHL Express. Orders over $500 qualify for free shipping. Canadian orders typically arrive 5 to 7 business days after production completes. A $5 sample pack is available if you would like to assess paper stocks and print quality before placing your full order.
Yes. All text on Paperlust save the dates is fully customizable - you can enter your details in French, English, or both languages within the same design. For Quebec weddings or mixed French-English guest lists, a bilingual save the date is a considerate and elegant choice. The design team can help you lay out two languages cleanly during the proof stage.
Treat US guests as destination guests and send at the 9 to 12 month mark. They will need time to arrange flights, accommodation, and potentially passport renewal if travelling by air. Including your wedding website URL on the save the date gives them somewhere to find travel details and hotel recommendations as soon as they receive it.
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