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 $350
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 |
In the United States, save the dates are the established first move in wedding planning - so standard that skipping them is the exception, not the rule. Most American couples send them 6 to 8 months before the wedding date; for destination weddings or popular holiday weekends like Memorial Day or Thanksgiving, 9 to 12 months ahead is the norm. Think of them as a holding announcement: guests block the date, book flights if needed, and wait for the formal invitation to follow. With spring and fall peak seasons filling venues and travel fast, sending early gives your guests the best shot at securing affordable flights and time off work. Your save the date sets the tone for the whole stationery suite - so getting the design right matters from the start.
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 color, 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 colored 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 $350 qualify for free DHL Express shipping, and new customers receive $20 off their first purchase when they sign up.
Most couples send save the dates 6 to 12 months before the wedding. Destination weddings and popular holiday weekends 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 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 region - 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 colors 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. Colored 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 worldwide via DHL Express and delivers to all US states. Orders typically arrive 5 to 7 business days after production completes. Orders over $350 qualify for free DHL Express shipping.
Yes - it is one of the most useful things you can add. Your website gives guests a destination for travel information, accommodation, and eventually RSVP details without overloading the card itself. A QR code is a clean way to link to the site without printing a long URL.
Cards and magnets are the two most popular formats. Magnets have grown significantly in popularity because they stay visible on the refrigerator for months. Postcards work particularly well for destination weddings where the format itself can reflect the travel theme.
Continue Planning Your Stationery Suite
Once your save the dates are out, Paperlust carries the full wedding suite from one place. All designed by independent artists, proofed by a professional designer, and printed on heavyweight stock. Browse the rest of the range: cheap wedding invitations, all-in-one wedding invitations, foil save the dates, wedding menus, wedding place cards, information cards, and wedding programs.
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