Wedding Save the Dates
A save the date is a printed card that announces a wedding date before the invitations go out. Couples planning a wedding order save the dates from the designs in the grid, edit the wording online, and receive a proof from a designer before printing.
The Linear design is a flat card in digital printing on Paperlust Matte paper, 140mm x 107mm (5.5 x 4.2 inches), single-sided, at $1.33 per card for 100 cards, with one Premium White envelope per card included.
Formats You Can Order
Save the date cards are available as flat cards, photo cards, postcards, and magnets, and there is also a digital file option.
- Flat card: the standard format, ready to post in the included Premium White envelope.
- Photo card: a format with space for your own photo; the Polaroid example is printed both sides and includes a Premium White envelope.
- Postcard: a card printed on both sides with no envelope included. These are their own set of designs, with the Momento Postcard as one example, and you can browse the postcard designs.
- Magnet: a save the date with a magnet backing chosen at checkout on designs that offer it. You can choose a completely magnetic back or apply adhesive magnet stickers yourself, and the magnet collection lists the designs.
- Digital: a digital file arranged through customer support at support@paperlust.co. The file costs $35 AUD and applies only to save the dates, not to invitations or other cards; it is not orderable from the product page. You send it to guests yourself. For the digital options, see the digital save the dates collection.
What the Cards Cost
The table lists five named designs at the same quantity so you can compare formats and print methods. US prices follow the exchange rate, and the product page shows the current figure as you choose options.
| Example design | Format | Size | Print method | Quantity | Price per card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linear | Flat card, single-sided | 140mm x 107mm | Digital printing | 100 | $1.33 |
| Polaroid | Photo card, printed both sides | 140mm x 107mm | Digital printing | 100 | $1.48 |
| Momento Postcard | Postcard, printed both sides | 140mm x 107mm | Digital printing | 100 | $1.48 |
| Forever Promise | Flat card, single-sided | 140mm x 107mm | Flat foil | 100 | $3.06 |
| Linear | Flat card, single-sided | 140mm x 107mm | Letterpress | 100 | $3.23 |
Except for postcards, every card design comes with a Premium White envelope for each card, plus the designer proof and its edits. The price changes with paper, printing a back, quantity, and envelope color. The product page updates with each option chosen, so you can see the exact cost before you add the design to your order.
Photo and Text Only Options
Photo save the dates give you space for your own images, which you upload in the online editor. You can use an engagement picture or another photo of the two of you, and you can browse the photo card designs to compare layouts.
Text-only designs use type and illustration, so they work without pictures. You can set the orientation to portrait or landscape. A rectangle is the standard shape, but some designs are cut into an arch, double arch, half arch, wave, or rounded corner. A simple look comes from text-only layouts, a modern look from die-cut shapes such as arch and wave, and an elegant look from flat foil or letterpress finishes. For more design ideas, see the save the date ideas guide.
How to Personalize Custom Save the Dates
Each design in the grid is a template, and these templates are finished designs that are personalized online, not free downloads. You can edit the names, date, place, and every line of text, and you can also change the fonts and colors. The online editor shows a live preview of every change, lets you undo, and allows you to save the design before ordering.
- Choose a design from the grid.
- Edit the wording in the online editor.
- Add any special request; it is handled by the designer at the proof stage.
- Submit the order.
If you already have finished artwork, Paperlust can print it through the custom design service, priced by quote. For help with what to write, see the save the date wording guide.
Printing, Paper and Proof
The cards are printed in Melbourne.
- Digital printing: full color with the widest paper choice. Production takes 3 to 5 business days after final proof approval.
- Flat foil: metallic foil, flat finish, no impression. The Forever Promise example is printed on Matte, Luxe or Heavy paper. Production takes 7 to 10 business days after final proof approval.
- Letterpress: an inked plate pressed into the paper for an impression you can feel, printed on Wild Cotton paper. Production takes 20 to 23 business days after final proof approval.
- Foil stamp: a die presses foil into the paper for shine plus a pressed-in impression, on Wild Cotton paper. Production runs 20 to 23 business days after final proof approval.
- White ink: white ink on colored card. The Byron design shows colors that include black, forest green, oat and lilac.
The smallest print order is 10 cards when using digital printing, flat foil, or white ink, while letterpress and foil stamp start at 50 cards; after that, cards are sold in steps of 10, up to 300.
Papers on the Linear digital card include Matte, which is bright white and suited to photos; Linen, with an embossed texture for watercolor art; Metallic, with a subtle shine; Wild Cotton, a slightly off white cotton paper with a soft texture; Vellum, which is translucent; and Matte Double T, two layers of card joined into one.
A digital proof is prepared by a designer at no charge. The first proof arrives 1 to 2 business days after you order, and edits are unlimited. Production starts only after final proof approval. The total wait is proof, production, and shipping counted separately, so approving the proof sooner shortens the total.
Shipping and Samples
Paperlust ships to US addresses with DHL, with delivery 2 to 4 business days after dispatch. Orders of $350 and over ship free, and a flat $27.50 shipping charge applies to orders under $350. Paperlust prepays US import duties and taxes, so there is nothing to pay on delivery.
A sample pack is $4 to a US address and includes seven invitation samples and one envelope, including foil and letterpress samples and a range of papers. You can order it before choosing a design from the grid, so you can compare paper and finish options in person. If a print fault appears, the 100% Print Happiness Guarantee means Paperlust will reprint the order.
Matching Invitations and Event Timing
A save the date is sent ahead of the wedding invitation, so save the date invitations are the first announcement your guests receive, and the actual invites follow later. The Linear save the date and the Linear wedding invitation belong to one matching set, sharing the same typeface and colors. The Linear wedding invitation is printed digitally on Paperlust Matte, sized 178mm x 127mm (7 x 5 inches), single-sided, at $2.22 per card for 100 cards. The other pieces of each set are listed on the product page, and you can see the full wedding invitations collection.
Send save the dates 6 to 8 months before the wedding, or 9 to 12 months before a destination wedding. Wedding invitations go out 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding, and the when-to-send guide has the full timeline. For help with envelopes, see the addressing guide. The same card format also works for other events planned ahead, such as birthday party designs or baby shower designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
This card serves as a short announcement rather than an invitation. It lets guests know the names, the date and the location, and it goes out ahead of the wedding invitation. The invitation later provides the ceremony time, venue details and how to reply.
Most designs measure 5.5 x 4.2 inches (140mm x 107mm), in portrait or landscape. A few designs, such as Us and the World, are 8.2 x 4.2 inches (210mm x 107mm). Each product page lists its size.
For the Linear design with digital printing on Paperlust Matte at 140mm x 107mm single-sided, the figures are $1.69 per card at 50, $1.33 per card at 100, and $1.16 per card at 200. Larger print runs bring the per-card price down.
Card designs include a Premium White envelope with each card, while postcards do not include any envelope. Other envelope colors and liners cost extra. Guest addressing is chosen in the envelope step of the order.
Rushing costs an added fee. It cuts production to 1 to 2 business days for digital printing and white ink, and 3 to 5 business days for flat foil, but not when printed on Vellum. Letterpress and foil stamp cannot be rushed.
A swatch kit is available, and you can order a custom sample of the design you choose printed on the paper you choose. Custom samples are not offered on letterpress or foil stamp designs.
You can add a printed back in the online editor for single-sided designs, but not on Vellum. For the Linear card with digital printing on Paperlust Matte at 100 cards, 140mm x 107mm, the price is $1.48 per card printed both sides, compared with $1.33 per card single-sided.
Photo designs are the only designs that take a photo. Upload the original camera or photographer file, not an image saved from social media. The designer reviews the image quality at the proof, before printing.
For a print fault, Paperlust first reprints the order, then offers account credit or a refund. You have 30 days from dispatch to report the issue. A text error you approved in the proof is not a print fault, but Paperlust helps fix it and shares the reprint cost.
Base the count on the number of addresses, not the number of guests. A couple or family at one address gets a single card. Since orders are sold in steps of 10, round up to the next 10. The Linear design at 10 cards, single-sided on Paperlust Matte, is $5.26 per card.
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