Your wedding invitation is the opening line of the story you are about to tell. Couples across the country know this intuitively - which is why the invitation is so often the piece they linger over longest. The weight of the paper, the depth of the letterpress impression, the mirror flash of gold foil: these are the details guests remember. With 500+ designs by independent artists and six distinct print methods, Paperlust gives you the tools to create something that deserves to be remembered.
By the Paperlust Studio - designers, printers, and independent artists crafting wedding stationery since 2014. Every order is produced in-house across six print methods and backed by our 100% happiness guarantee. About Paperlust
Quick Reference: Paperlust Wedding Invitations
- 500+ exclusive designs by independent artists
- Six print methods: Digital, Metallic, White Ink, Flat Foil, Letterpress, Foil Stamping
- From $2.52 per card (digital print)
- Free DHL Express shipping on orders over $350 - all 50 states + APO/FPO
- DHL Express transit: typically 2-4 business days
- Designer proof in 1-2 business days; two rounds of revisions included
- $5 sample pack to compare paper and print quality before ordering
- One tree planted in Borneo with every order
- 100% happiness guarantee: free reprint or full refund
A Celebration of Independent Artistry
Paperlust is a designer-led wedding stationery studio: every one of our 500+ invitations was created by an independent artist, not pulled from a template library. Some artists are based in Australia where Paperlust was founded, others are international, and every design is exclusive to this collection - none of this work is licensed to other retailers.
The collection grows through a competitive Design Challenge: artists worldwide submit work, the Paperlust community votes, and the strongest designs earn a place in the range. The collection reflects what real couples respond to, not what a design team predicts. The range evolves continuously as new work arrives.
The collection spans every contemporary wedding aesthetic. Minimalist couples find editorial designs with precision typography and generous white space. Botanical couples find hand-illustrated florals, dried grasses, and lush garden compositions. Maximalist couples find deeply layered designs with rich color and pattern. Abstract, architectural, and typographic directions are all represented.
Paperlust prints all orders in Melbourne, Australia, at an in-house production facility. Every invitation is quality-checked three times before it leaves the building. This is not contract printing at an offshore facility - it is a dedicated team, in-house, applying consistent quality standards to every order.
Print Methods: A Complete Guide
| Method | Lead time | From ($/card) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital | 5-7 business days | $2.52 | Detailed illustration, photography, larger guest lists |
| Metallic | 5-7 business days | $2.87 | Subtle gold, rose gold, or silver integrated into the design |
| White Ink | 5-7 business days | $3.60 | Bold graphic designs on dark or colored stocks |
| Flat Foil | 2-3 business days | $3.96 | Fast turnaround with mirror-bright foil detail |
| Letterpress | 20 business days | $5.04 | Deep debossed tactile craft on cotton paper |
| Foil Stamping | 20 business days | $6.84 | Heirloom-quality mirror foil with embossed texture |
Paperlust offers six wedding invitation print methods: Digital, Metallic, White Ink, Flat Foil, Letterpress, and Foil Stamping. Prices range from $2.52 to $6.84 per card and production times run from 2 to 20 business days. Here is how each method works and when to choose it.
Digital Print
What it is: Full-color inkjet or laser printing on your chosen paper stock. Digital printing faithfully reproduces detailed artwork, photography, watercolor effects, intricate gradients, and the full spectrum of color. It is the most versatile method in the range.
Production time: 5-7 business days.
Cost point: From $2.52 per card - the most accessible price point in the range.
Best paper pairing: 300gsm Matte (clean, sophisticated), 300gsm Linen (subtle texture adds depth), Premium 380gsm (elevated weight), Metallic board (pearlescent background enhances sheen-forward designs), Blush, Kraft. Digital works across the broadest range of stocks.
When to choose: You want vivid color, detailed illustration, or a watercolor floral effect. You are working with a moderate budget or a large guest list. You want the fastest production time and maximum design flexibility. You are not set on a tactile foil or letterpress finish.
Metallic Print
What it is: A fifth imaging station adds dry-toner metallic pigment to your design alongside standard CMYK, giving gold, rose gold, or silver tones a subtle, light-catching sheen. It is more restrained than foil - a quiet glimmer rather than a mirror flash - and it integrates seamlessly with full-color botanical or illustrated artwork.
Production time: 5-7 business days.
Cost point: From $2.87 per card.
Best paper pairing: 300gsm Matte, 300gsm Linen, 380gsm Premium. The metallic pigment reads best on uncoated stocks that allow the toner to sit cleanly.
When to choose: You love the warmth of gold or rose gold but want it woven into the design rather than applied as a separate foil layer. Your design has fine details - hand-lettering, botanical illustration, calligraphic elements - that would be difficult to reproduce in foil. You want a premium finish at digital production speed.
White Ink
What it is: White ink is printed as a fifth color inline with CMYK, applying bold opaque white onto dark or colored card stocks. White florals on black card, white type on navy, white botanical line-work on forest green - effects that have to be seen in person to understand.
Production time: 5-7 business days.
Cost point: From $3.60 per card.
Best paper pairing: 290gsm Kraft (natural tone with white contrast), 180gsm Vellum (translucent with ethereal effect), 270-300gsm Color stock in cobalt, aqua, black, navy, green, violet, burgundy, or grey. Note: white ink is not available on blush paper.
When to choose: Your design is bold and graphic. You want the drama of dark card as your canvas. You are drawn to contemporary, high-contrast, or monochromatic aesthetics.
Flat Foil
What it is: A metallic film is applied to specific design elements using heat and pressure - but without the custom die required for traditional foil stamping. Flat foil produces a smooth, mirror-bright metallic finish on the selected areas of your design. It handles fine lines and intricate elements better than foil stamping, and it is available in gold, pale gold, rose gold, silver, copper, holographic, and bold tones including red, green, blue, and hot pink.
Production time: 2-3 business days - the fastest specialty finish available.
Cost point: From $3.96 per card.
Best paper pairing: 300gsm Matte stock, 380gsm Premium, 350gsm Heavyweight (minimum order 30 for heavyweight), and Color Stock + Foil options in 270gsm and 500gsm.
When to choose: You want foil detail without the 20-day lead time of foil stamping. Your design has intricate elements that need fine foil reproduction. You want a broad palette of foil colors, including holographic. You need a fast turnaround without sacrificing the metallic impact.
Letterpress
What it is: Letterpress is the oldest and most tactile print method in the range. Hand-mixed inks are pressed directly into thick cotton paper using a printing press, creating a visible, physical impression - a deboss - in the surface of the card. You can feel it with your fingertip. The paper used is Wild Cotton, available in 300gsm and 600gsm - the 600gsm Wild Cotton Double Thick being the heaviest stock in the range, with a softness and depth unlike any standard card. Letterpress invitations are not just stationery. They are objects. Many couples and their guests keep them indefinitely.
Production time: 20 business days.
Cost point: From $5.04 per card.
Best paper pairing: Wild Cotton ONLY - 300gsm for a classic letterpress feel, 600gsm for maximum depth and luxury. Letterpress cannot be produced on standard digital stocks.
When to choose: You want the most tactile, sensory invitation experience available. Your design is clean and bold - letterpress works best with strong type and confident layouts rather than fine-detail illustration. You are planning a formal, traditional, or deeply personal ceremony. You have the time for the 20-day production window. You want something guests will keep.
Note: the $15 custom sample is not available for letterpress. The $5 sample pack includes a letterpress sample so you can feel the paper and impression quality before placing your full order.
Foil Stamping
What it is: A custom metal die is created for your design and used to press metallic foil directly into the paper surface under heat, leaving both a mirror-bright metallic finish and a physical deboss impression in the card. Foil stamping is the most luxurious print method in the range - more dimensional than flat foil, more dramatic than metallic print. The custom die gives the finish a depth and richness that flat foil does not replicate. Available in the same foil color range: gold, rose gold, silver, copper, holographic, and bold tones.
Production time: 20 business days.
Cost point: From $6.84 per card.
Best paper pairing: Specialty textured stocks and Wild Cotton. The soft cotton surface accepts the die impression with particular beauty; textured stocks add a further layer of depth.
Minimum order: 50 cards.
When to choose: You want the ultimate in craftsmanship and luxury. Your design is bold - strong letterforms, confident monograms, graphic elements with clean edges - since the die process reproduces detail less finely than flat foil. You are happy with the 20-day timeline. You want an invitation that functions as a keepsake object.
2026 Wedding Invitation Trends - United States
Eight trends define 2026 American wedding invitation design: bold botanicals and pressed florals, autumn and fall palettes, Americana and landscape-led design, arch die-cuts, QR codes as intentional design elements, earthy-neutral textural minimalism, vellum overlays, and photo-integrated designs. Each reflects a broader shift toward personalization and place-specific craft.
Bold Botanicals and Pressed Florals
The botanical trend has fully matured in 2026 - and at its best, it is not a trend at all but a deeply personal choice. Couples who love gardens, outdoor ceremonies, and floral abundance are choosing invitations where hand-illustrated or realistically rendered flowers are the dominant visual element. Popular botanicals for US weddings this year include peonies, garden roses, wildflowers, dried grasses, and eucalyptus - as well as region-specific flora like California poppies for West Coast weddings and magnolias for Southern events.
Pressed-floral aesthetics - designs that mimic the look of dried and pressed flowers - are particularly strong. These designs work beautifully in digital print at all price points, and translate into something extraordinary when produced in letterpress on Wild Cotton.
Autumn and Fall Palettes
Fall remains one of the most popular seasons for American weddings, and 2026 invitation design reflects that. Rust, amber, burnt orange, burgundy, warm copper, and deep terracotta are the dominant tones - paired with cream, ivory, warm white, and natural linen backgrounds. These palettes photograph beautifully against fall foliage and work equally well for barn venues, vineyard weddings, and urban venues with seasonal decor.
Foil in warm copper or rose gold is a natural complement to fall palettes. Flat foil in copper is particularly strong for this aesthetic, with a 2-3 business day production time that suits couples finalizing details in the weeks before the wedding.
Americana and Landscape-Led Design
A distinctly American trend for 2026 is the use of landscape, place, and local nature as the design language of the invitation. Couples are choosing designs that reference the specific geography of their ceremony - mountain silhouettes for Colorado and Vermont venues, Pacific coastlines for California and Oregon, Southwestern desert tones for Arizona and New Mexico, rolling farmland for Midwest celebrations. These designs feel rooted in a specific place rather than generically romantic.
Arch Die-Cuts
The arch shape has become mainstream in 2026. Arch-format invitations - with a rounded or pointed arch top rather than standard rectangular corners - are now one of the most requested non-standard shapes. They pair particularly well with botanical compositions, minimalist editorial layouts, and portrait-oriented designs. Available across multiple Paperlust print methods.
QR Codes as Intentional Design Elements
In 2026, the QR code has been fully integrated into invitation design rather than treated as an add-on. Couples are styling QR codes in matching foil color, framing them with decorative elements, or building them into the typographic layout as a deliberate feature. Linked to wedding websites with accommodation details, RSVP forms, and registry information, a well-designed QR code reduces the insert card count while keeping the invitation itself clean and elegant.
Earthy Neutrals and Textural Minimalism
Warm, muted, and earthy - the dominant palette for 2026 American weddings is a long way from the high-contrast black and white aesthetic of five years ago. Warm white, natural linen, warm ivory, dusty rose, terracotta, and sage green are the core tones. These colors work across venue styles, photograph beautifully in natural light, and age gracefully as keep-sakes. Minimalist layouts with confident white space, single strong typefaces, and restrained decoration are the standard delivery mechanism.
Vellum Overlays
A translucent vellum overlay placed over a matte card invitation creates a layered, dimensional effect that couples love in person - the way the design shows through the vellum, the delicate texture, the contrast between the firm base card and the soft translucent sheet. This approach is gaining traction in 2026 as a tactile alternative to foil for couples who want something beyond standard digital print.
Photo-Integrated Designs
Couples are increasingly using engagement photographs, portrait illustrations, or venue drawings as the central element of their invitation design. Digital printing makes these designs accessible at entry-level pricing, while letterpress can reproduce hand-drawn illustration in a way that feels entirely different from standard print reproduction.
Wedding Invitation Wording - US Guide
American wedding invitation wording falls into five main formats: Traditional (parents hosting), Modern, Couple-Hosted, Casual, and LGBTQ+ - each with specific conventions for honorifics, date formatting, venue naming, and tone. Below are five complete wording examples with commentary.
Traditional (Parents Hosting)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edward Hartley request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Amelia Rose Hartley to James William Sinclair son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sinclair
Saturday, the fourteenth of March two thousand twenty-six at three o’clock in the afternoon
St. Patrick’s Cathedral Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
Reception to follow
The traditional format leads with the host family, uses “honor of your presence” (the formal phrase for a religious ceremony - “pleasure of your company” for civil ceremonies), and spells out the date in full. American spelling: honor, not honour.
Modern (Both Families Hosting)
Together with their families
Amelia Hartley and James Sinclair
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. The Glasshouse, Hudson Valley, New York
Dinner and dancing to follow
The modern format treats both families symmetrically without listing parent names, uses the American date format (month before day), and communicates with warmth rather than formal distance.
Couple-Hosted
Amelia Hartley and James Sinclair warmly invite you to join them as they exchange their vows
March 14, 2026 Four o’clock in the afternoon
Napa Valley Vineyard 101 Estate Drive, St. Helena, California 94574
Dinner and dancing to follow
Couple-hosted wording suits weddings where the couple is organizing and financing the event independently. The tone is warm and personal, without formal host language.
Casual and Relaxed
Hey - we’re getting married, and we’d love you there.
Mia + James March 14, 2026 at 4pm The Ranch, 7 Oak Road, Sonoma, CA 95476
Party after. Wear your boots.
Casual wording suits outdoor venues, barn weddings, backyard celebrations, and couples whose relationship is characterized by warmth and informality. This format is just as genuine as the traditional one - it is simply honest about who the couple is.
LGBTQ+ Inclusive
Amelia Hart and Jordan Sinclair are getting married and they want you there
Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 3pm
The Botanical Garden Pavilion Brooklyn, New York
Drinks, dinner, and dancing to follow
This format is clean, gender-neutral, and places both names symmetrically. It uses no convention that implicitly assumes a bride and groom, and communicates with the same warmth and clarity as any other wording style.
A Few Notes on Wording Decisions - US Edition
“Honor” vs. “honour”: American invitations use American spelling. “Honor of your presence” for religious ceremonies, “pleasure of your company” for civil or non-religious ones.
Date formatting: American convention places the month before the day - March 14, 2026, or the fourteenth of March. Never “14 March” (that is the Australian and British format). Formal invitations may spell the date out in full; contemporary invitations typically use numerals.
Punctuation: American formal convention uses periods after honorifics - Mr., Mrs., Dr. - and commas in addresses.
RSVP: “RSVP by February 14, 2026” or “Kindly reply by February 14, 2026.” Include the method: email address, phone number, or wedding website URL.
Time: Formal invitations write “three o’clock in the afternoon” or “half past six in the evening.” Contemporary invitations use “3:00 p.m.” or “3pm.”
Who hosts: If parents are co-hosting, list both sets of parents. If the couple is hosting, no parental reference is needed. If family structures are complex, the simplest approach is to name the couple prominently and use neutral language: “together with their families” or simply omit hosting language entirely.
What to Include on Your Wedding Invitation
A wedding invitation must answer six questions: who is hosting, who is marrying, when the wedding takes place, where it takes place, what the dress code requires, and how to RSVP. Every other choice is stylistic.
Names: Both full names, formatted consistently. For traditional invitations, surnames are included. For informal designs, first names may be sufficient.
Date and time: The ceremony date, day of the week, and start time. Write the time clearly - “3:00 p.m.” or “three o’clock in the afternoon.” A specific time is always better than a vague “afternoon ceremony.”
Venue: The venue name and full address, including city, state, and zip code. For venues with complex access or multiple entrances, a separate details card can carry directions.
Reception details: If the reception is at a different location, include both addresses or direct guests to a details insert card. If the reception follows at the same venue, “reception to follow” is sufficient.
RSVP instructions: A clear RSVP deadline, the method (email, phone, wedding website, or return card), and the contact person. Set your RSVP deadline 4 weeks before the wedding - long enough before the event to give you time to chase non-responders and give your caterer final numbers.
Dress code (if applicable): Black tie, black tie optional, cocktail attire, garden party, casual, or Western. If you have one, state it clearly. Guests appreciate specific guidance.
Optional additions:
- Wedding website URL or styled QR code for accommodation, registry, dietary forms, and full event details
- “Unplugged ceremony” note if you want phones away during the vows
- Separate insert cards for accommodation blocks, transport details, or multi-day event itinerary
- Registry note (on a separate insert card, not the invitation itself)
Building Your Wedding Stationery Suite
A complete wedding stationery suite contains seven core pieces: save the dates, invitations, RSVP cards, information and details cards, menus, place cards with table numbers, and thank you cards. Not every couple needs every piece, but understanding what each one does helps you plan.
Some couples choose an all-in-one wedding invitations format instead of a multi-piece suite, combining invitation, RSVP, and details into a single concertina or send-and-seal card. This works well for smaller, casual weddings where guests do not need separate reference cards.
Save the Dates
Purpose: Announce the date before the formal invitation, so guests can reserve travel and accommodation early. Essential for destination weddings, long weekends, and any event where significant logistics are involved.
When to send: 4-8 months before the wedding. For destination weddings or holiday-weekend dates, 10-12 months is appropriate.
What to include: Both names, the wedding date, the city and state (venue details are not required at this stage), and your wedding website if you have one.
Suite tip: Order save the dates and invitations together to lock in matching paper stocks, even if the save the dates mail much earlier. This ensures design and paper consistency across the full suite.
Invitations
Purpose: The formal announcement of your ceremony details. The centerpiece of the suite.
When to send: 8-10 weeks before the wedding for local and domestic guests; 12 weeks for guests traveling internationally or needing extended planning time.
RSVP deadline: 4-6 weeks before the wedding to give you time to finalize numbers with your venue and caterer.
RSVP Cards
Purpose: Reduce friction in the response process. Printed RSVP cards with a pre-addressed, stamped return envelope remove barriers to responding. Many couples now use a wedding website RSVP form instead, linked via QR code, which is equally effective and reduces paper.
Dietary requirements: Include a dietary preferences field - your caterer will need this information.
Details / Information Cards
Purpose: Carry all the practical information that does not belong on the invitation itself - hotel room blocks, transportation, parking, itinerary for multi-day events, and the wedding website URL.
Menus
Purpose: Set the scene for the dining experience and guide guests through the meal. Placed at each seat or on the table.
Place Cards and Table Numbers
Purpose: Guide guests to their seats. Place cards with full names are the most elegant; table numbers help guests navigate larger events.
Suite tip: Matching place cards and table numbers to your invitation design creates visual consistency throughout the wedding day experience.
Thank You Cards
Purpose: Express gratitude for gifts and for the time guests invested in celebrating with you. Expected within three months of the wedding.
Practical tip: Order thank you cards at the same time as your invitations. The design matches the suite, the paper stock is consistent, and you avoid a separate shipping charge. Many couples write and mail thank you cards during the honeymoon.
Paper and Finish Guide
| Stock | Weight | Texture | Best print method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Cotton | 300gsm | Soft, tactile, deckle edge available | Letterpress, foil stamping |
| 380gsm Premium | 380gsm | Smooth, substantial weight | All methods - flagship stock |
| 300gsm Matte | 300gsm | Smooth, uncoated | Digital, metallic, flat foil |
| 300gsm Linen | 300gsm | Subtle woven texture | Digital, metallic |
| Kraft | 290gsm | Natural, rustic grain | White ink, digital |
| Vellum | 180gsm | Translucent, ethereal | Belly band overlays, white ink effects |
| Blush | 300gsm | Soft pink tint, smooth | Digital, metallic, letterpress |
| Colour Stock | 270-300gsm | Solid color through the sheet | White ink, flat foil |
| Seed Paper | Handmade | Plantable, embedded wildflower seeds | Digital (eco-focused invitations) |
Paperlust prints wedding invitations on nine paper stocks: Wild Cotton, 380gsm Premium, 300gsm Matte, 300gsm Linen, Kraft, Vellum, Blush, Colour Stock, and Seed Paper - each stock suited to specific print methods and aesthetic choices.
Wild Cotton
The premium letterpress paper. Available in 300gsm and 600gsm - the 600gsm Wild Cotton Double Thick is the heaviest stock in the range. Uncoated, soft, and deeply textured, Wild Cotton accepts the letterpress impression with exceptional depth. Used exclusively for Letterpress and Foil Stamping. If you want an invitation that functions as an object to be kept, this is the paper.
380gsm Premium
A substantial uncoated stock for Flat Foil and Metallic print. Heavier than standard card, with a smooth matte surface that allows foil to adhere cleanly and metallic toner to sit with precision. The weight communicates quality the moment a guest picks it up.
300gsm Matte
The standard digital and metallic stock. Smooth, uncoated, versatile. Works equally well with botanical illustrations, typographic designs, and photo-integrated artwork. The uncoated surface gives printed color a slightly warmer, more natural tone than coated stocks.
300gsm Linen
A digital and metallic stock with a subtle crosshatch texture. The linen finish adds a tactile element to digital printing without the lead time of letterpress. Suits earthy, botanical, and vintage-influenced designs particularly well.
Kraft
290gsm uncoated recycled-content card with a warm brown tone. Available for digital and white ink printing. The natural color of the stock becomes part of the design. White ink on kraft creates a distinctive, organic aesthetic well suited to rustic, botanical, and sustainable-minded weddings.
Vellum
180gsm translucent stock. Used for white ink printing. Creates an ethereal, layered effect - particularly popular when used as a wrap or overlay element. Suits modern, editorial, and minimalist designs.
Blush
Soft pink-toned stock for digital printing (not white ink). Integrates the stock color with the printed palette for a cohesive, romantic effect.
Color Stock
270-300gsm colored card in cobalt, aqua, black, navy, green, violet, burgundy, and grey. Available for white ink printing and flat foil via the Color Stock + Foil option. Bold, graphic, and dramatic.
Seed Paper
Plantable invitations made from recycled paper embedded with seeds. After the wedding, guests plant the invitation in soil and it grows into wildflowers or herbs. Available for digital printing. Suits couples for whom sustainability is central to their wedding values.
On finishes: Uncoated stocks (matte, linen, kraft, cotton) produce warmer, more natural-feeling results - ink and toner absorb into the surface rather than sitting on top. Coated or metallic stocks produce crisper, higher-contrast finishes. The right choice depends on whether your design calls for warmth or precision.
Budget Planning for Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitations typically represent 2-5% of the total wedding budget, covering everything from simple digital printing on standard card to full letterpress suites on Wild Cotton.
US context: The average American wedding budget is approximately $35,000. At 2-5%, the stationery budget works out to $700-$1,750. Here is how that might break down for a 100-guest wedding:
| Item | Quantity | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Invitations (flat foil, 100 households) | 100 cards | $396 |
| Envelopes with address printing | 100 | $50 |
| RSVP cards (digital, with return envelopes) | 100 cards | $252 + $50 envelopes |
| Details insert cards (digital) | 100 cards | $252 |
| Save the dates (digital, sent earlier) | 110 cards | $277 |
| Thank you cards (digital) | 100 cards | $252 |
| US postage (Forever stamp at $0.73) | 100 envelopes | $73 |
| Total | Approx. $1,602 |
This example falls within the 2-5% range for a $35,000 wedding budget, covering a full suite with flat foil for the main invitation. Couples who choose digital print for all pieces will spend significantly less. Couples who upgrade to letterpress will spend more per invitation card but may keep other suite pieces in digital to balance the total.
Volume note: Paperlust pricing is per card and scales with quantity. Ordering 150 cards costs less per card than ordering 80. Couples with large guest lists often find that per-card cost reductions make a premium print method more accessible than expected.
Practical tip: Always order 15-20% more cards than your minimum count. Addressing mistakes happen, guests are added last minute, and you will want to keep a few as keepsakes. Reprinting a small additional quantity later is significantly more expensive per card than ordering the buffer upfront.
Sustainability at Paperlust
Paperlust plants one tree in Borneo with every order placed. This is a standing commitment - it applies to every order, every day, and has been part of the Paperlust business model since its founding. The trees are planted through a certified reforestation program in Borneo, contributing to habitat restoration in a region where deforestation has had significant ecological impact.
Beyond tree planting:
FSC-certified paper: The majority of Paperlust paper stocks carry FSC certification - sourced from forests managed to responsible environmental and social standards.
Recycled options: Kraft stock uses recycled content. Recycled card stock options are available for digital printing.
Seed paper: Plantable invitations embedded with wildflower or herb seeds. After the wedding, the invitation goes into the ground rather than the recycling bin.
Cotton and natural fibers: Wild Cotton - used for letterpress and foil stamping - is a natural fiber product, not a synthetic finish applied over standard pulp.
For couples whose values include environmental responsibility, the combination of certified paper, recycled options, seed paper, and the Borneo tree-planting program provides a genuine sustainability story.
Featured and Trusted
Paperlust has been featured in Vogue Australia, Marie Claire Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald, and Harper’s Bazaar Bride (print edition) - leading wedding and lifestyle editorial platforms known for a selective editorial eye. The collection ships worldwide from Melbourne and serves US couples looking for designer invitations beyond the mainstream domestic market.
Paperlust is a partner of Joy, the digital wedding planning platform. Through the Joy partnership, Paperlust offers 60+ digital invitation templates that integrate directly with Joy’s RSVP and guest management tools. Couples can use Paperlust for their printed stationery suite and Joy for digital invitations to international guests or as a follow-up communication tool, with consistent design across both channels.
Founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2014, Paperlust was named a Westpac Business of Tomorrow in 2017. The company ships to the US and 150+ countries worldwide via DHL Express.
Pricing at a Glance
All prices are per card. Pricing scales favorably with quantity.
| Print Method | Price Per Card | Production Time | Min Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital | $2.52 | 5-7 business days | 10 |
| Metallic | $2.87 | 5-7 business days | 10 |
| White Ink | $3.60 | 5-7 business days | 10 |
| Flat Foil | $3.96 | 2-3 business days | 10 |
| Letterpress | $5.04 | 20 business days | 10 |
| Foil Stamping | $6.84 | 20 business days | 50 |
Envelope address printing: $0.14 per address (approx.). 15% off when ordering 3+ card types together. $20 off your first order on sign-up. Free white envelopes included with every order. Colored and textured envelope upgrades available. Free DHL Express shipping on US orders over $350.
Shipping and Delivery - United States
Paperlust ships wedding invitations to all 50 US states via DHL Express, with 2-4 business days transit nationwide and free shipping on orders over $350. APO and FPO addresses are supported at standard rates.
DHL Express to All 50 States
Paperlust ships all US orders via DHL Express. Free DHL Express shipping applies to orders over $350. Transit time is typically 2-4 business days to all 50 states once your order is dispatched from Melbourne.
Paperlust ships to: - All 50 US states (including Hawaii and Alaska) - APO and FPO addresses (military addresses) - US territories
Timing: Production + Shipping
Your total delivery timeline is production time plus shipping transit time. For a flat foil invitation (2-3 business days production) to a New York address, total time from order placement to doorstep could be as short as 5-7 business days. For letterpress invitations (20 business days production), add 2-4 days transit time - allow at least 24-26 business days from order to arrival.
Factor in proof turnaround too: you will receive your designer proof within 1-2 business days, and each revision round adds time before production begins. The total timeline from order to delivery is:
- Proof received: 1-2 business days
- Revisions (if needed): 1-2 business days per round
- Production: 2-3 days (flat foil) to 20 days (letterpress / foil stamping)
- DHL Express transit: 2-4 business days
For letterpress or foil stamping, ordering 12-16 weeks before your planned mailing date is a comfortable lead time.
US Postage
For mailing invitations to US guests, budget for current USPS postage rates. A standard A7 envelope (fits a 5x7 invitation) may require additional postage above the standard Forever stamp rate ($0.73) if the envelope is square, rigid, or oversized - verify with your post office before mailing. Square envelopes typically require additional postage.
Wedding Invitations by State
Paperlust serves couples in every US state - New York, California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and beyond - with consistent DHL Express shipping, identical pricing nationwide, and no regional surcharges.
New York
New York couples plan some of the most design-forward weddings in the country, and invitation choices reflect that. Editorial minimalism, letterpress on Wild Cotton, and bold typographic designs for Manhattan venues - alongside lush botanicals and romantic floral designs for Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Catskills weddings. Paperlust delivers to all New York zip codes via DHL Express, typically within 2-3 business days transit.
California
California’s wedding geography spans beachside Pacific Coast Highway venues, Napa and Sonoma wine country, desert settings in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, and redwood forest ceremonies in the North. Each of these settings inspires a different design aesthetic - coastal whites and sea glass tones for beach ceremonies, warm terracotta and botanical green for winery weddings, geometric and architectural for desert events. California poppy illustrations are a distinctly local choice for spring wedding invitations.
Texas
Texas weddings are large, personal, and often held in stunning venue settings - Hill Country ranches, Gulf Coast beaches, and Dallas and Houston venues with strong hospitality traditions. Invitations lean toward warm tones, rich botanicals, and a confident sense of scale. Flat foil in warm gold or copper is a popular print method for Texas couples who want premium impact at accessible cost.
Florida
Florida’s year-round wedding calendar (with peak season from October to April, avoiding summer heat and hurricane season) produces a range of invitation aesthetics: tropical botanical for Keys and coastal ceremonies, elegant traditional for Palm Beach and Miami events, and lush garden-party designs for Central Florida and Orlando area celebrations. DHL Express transit to Florida is typically 2-3 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Order 12-16 weeks before your wedding date to give yourself a comfortable buffer. Here is how that timeline works: allow 2-3 weeks to finalize your design and wording choices, then 1-2 business days for your designer proof, up to two rounds of revisions (each adding a day or two), your chosen production time (5-7 business days for digital methods, 20 business days for letterpress or foil stamping), and 2-4 business days for DHL Express transit to the US. For letterpress or foil stamping, 16 weeks before the wedding is the recommended lead time. For digital invitations, 10-12 weeks is workable - but more time always gives you flexibility.
Factor in when guests need to receive invitations: 8-10 weeks before the wedding is standard for domestic US guests. Your RSVP deadline should be at least 4 weeks before the event to give you time to follow up with non-responders and provide your venue with final numbers.
Browse the Paperlust collection and choose a design that fits your aesthetic. Open it in the browser-based design tool and customize the text, fonts, colors, and paper stock. Select your print method, envelope option, and any add-ons - envelope address printing, RSVP cards, etc. Place your order. A professional designer will be assigned to your job and will deliver a digital proof via email within 1-2 business days showing your exact design before anything prints. Review the proof carefully - check every name, date, venue, and time - then approve it or submit revisions. Two rounds of revisions are included at no extra cost. Once approved, your order enters production. All invitations are quality-checked three times before packing and dispatch via DHL Express.
Pricing depends on print method, quantity, and add-ons. Per-card prices start at $2.52 for digital print and go to $6.84 for foil stamping. Pricing scales with quantity - the more cards you order, the lower the per-card cost. A typical order of 100 digital invitations with white envelopes starts around $252. Adding envelope address printing, RSVP cards, and details inserts increases the total, but ordering 3+ card types together earns a 15% discount across the suite. There is also a $20 discount on your first order when you sign up.
Free DHL Express shipping applies to US orders over $350. Many full suite orders qualify.
For most print methods, the minimum is 10 cards - suitable for intimate weddings and elopements. Foil stamping requires a minimum of 50 cards due to the custom die creation involved. Flat foil on 350gsm Heavyweight stock requires a minimum of 30 cards. If you are planning a small wedding or elopement, digital, metallic, white ink, and flat foil (on standard stocks) can all be ordered from as few as 10 cards.
Yes. Per-card pricing tiers down as quantity increases - ordering 150 cards costs less per card than ordering 80. The 15% multi-card-type discount applies when you order 3 or more card types together (invitations + RSVP cards + details cards, for example). This makes ordering the full suite together more economical than ordering pieces separately.
Both produce a mirror-bright metallic finish using the same foil color range. The differences are in process, lead time, and tactile result.
Flat foil applies metallic film using heat and pressure without a custom die. No deboss - the card surface remains flat. Flat foil handles fine details and intricate design elements well, produces clean and precise results, and is significantly faster (2-3 business days production, minimum 10 cards). It is the right choice when you want foil without a long lead time.
Foil stamping requires a custom metal die made for your specific design. The die presses into the paper under heat, leaving both a metallic finish and a physical debossed impression - a more dimensional, tactile result than flat foil. Custom die creation and extra processing require a 20-business-day turnaround and a 50-card minimum. Foil stamping suits bold designs with confident letterforms or prominent monograms, rather than fine-detail illustration. It is the most luxurious finish in the range.
Letterpress is a centuries-old print method in which hand-mixed inks are pressed directly into thick cotton paper using a printing press, creating a visible indentation - a deboss - in the surface of the card. You can feel the type and design with your fingertip. The paper used is Wild Cotton, available in 300gsm and 600gsm. The 600gsm Wild Cotton Double Thick is the heaviest stock in the range - a soft, deeply textured paper that accepts the letterpress impression with exceptional depth. Letterpress invitations are objects as much as they are announcements; many couples and guests keep them long after the wedding. Production time is 20 business days. Price starts at $5.04 per card.
Yes. The $5 sample pack includes seven designs across different print methods and gives you a direct comparison of paper stocks, textures, and print quality before you commit. Seeing the difference between, say, digital print on 300gsm matte and letterpress on 600gsm Wild Cotton in person is genuinely informative - these things are hard to judge from photographs alone.
A $15 custom sample is also available for most print methods, letting you see your actual design printed before the full run. Note: the $15 custom sample is not available for letterpress. The $5 sample pack includes a letterpress sample so you can assess that print method before ordering.
For digital printing: Matte 300gsm, Linen 300gsm, Premium 380gsm, Metallic board, Blush, Kraft 290gsm, Vellum 180gsm, and seed paper. For Metallic print: Matte, Linen, Premium. For White Ink: Kraft, Vellum, and Color stock in cobalt, aqua, black, navy, green, violet, burgundy, and grey (not blush). For Flat Foil: Matte, Premium 380gsm, Heavyweight 350gsm, and Color Stock + Foil in 270gsm and 500gsm. For Letterpress and Foil Stamping: Wild Cotton 300gsm and 600gsm only.
All wording is customized within the browser-based design tool before ordering. You replace the placeholder text with your names, date, time, venue, RSVP details, and any other copy. If your chosen design does not have a field for specific content you need to include, add it in the special requests field when ordering - the designer assigned to your proof will incorporate it.
If you are uncertain about wording conventions for your ceremony type, the designer proof stage is a good opportunity to ask your assigned designer for guidance.
Yes. Fonts can be changed within the design tool from the available selection. Colors - backgrounds, text, design elements - can be adjusted to match your palette. If you want a specific color match (for example, to coordinate with your florist or venue decor), you can specify a hex code in the special requests field and the designer will match it.
Standard sizes include 5" x 7" (178mm x 127mm), 5.5" x 5.5" square, and DL. Arch-shaped and other custom die-cut formats are available across multiple print methods. If you need a size or shape not listed in the design tool, note it in special requests - the team will advise on feasibility and cost.
A designer proof is a digital PDF showing exactly how your invitation will look when printed - your text, colors, layout, and any adjustments made by the assigned designer. You receive this within 1-2 business days of placing your order. Review it carefully: check every name, date spelling, venue address, and time. Confirm the RSVP deadline and method. Verify all formatting. Approve to proceed to production, or submit revisions.
Two rounds of revisions are included at no extra cost. This covers the majority of orders. Each round involves you submitting feedback and the designer updating the proof accordingly. Additional rounds are available at an extra charge if needed.
- Digital: 5-7 business days
- Metallic: 5-7 business days
- White Ink: 5-7 business days
- Flat Foil: 2-3 business days
- Letterpress: 20 business days
- Foil Stamping: 20 business days
These timelines begin after proof approval, not from order placement. Factor in 1-2 business days for the initial proof plus revision time. A 24-hour rush print option is available for an additional fee on select methods.
All US orders ship via DHL Express. Free DHL Express shipping applies to orders over $350. Transit time is typically 2-4 business days from dispatch to delivery across all 50 states. Orders are dispatched from Paperlust's Melbourne, Australia production facility after completing production and three-stage quality checking.
Yes. Paperlust ships to all 50 US states including Hawaii and Alaska, plus APO and FPO military addresses, and US territories. Canada is also served via DHL Express, typically 3-5 business days transit. Paperlust ships to 150+ countries worldwide. Free DHL Express shipping applies on international orders over $350.
Paperlust dispatches all orders to a single delivery address. For mailing to multiple guests at different addresses, you would assemble and post from your location after delivery. Paperlust's envelope address printing service can pre-print all guest names and addresses on envelopes before dispatch, making the mailing process significantly faster when you are ready to send.
Yes. Envelope address printing is available - you supply the guest list via the Address Manager tool (Excel upload or manual entry), choose a complementary font, and the addresses are printed before dispatch. This service is particularly valuable for weddings with 100+ guests or for formal weddings where hand-addressing is not practical.
White envelopes are included free with every order. Colored envelopes, textured envelopes, and envelope liners are available as upgrades. Envelope liners add a printed or patterned inner surface that extends the design of your invitation into the opening experience. All upgrades are accessible within the design tool.
Yes. Every Paperlust design includes coordinating formats: save the dates, RSVP cards, details insert cards, menus, place cards, table numbers, ceremony programs, and thank you cards. All suite pieces use the same design system as your invitation. Ordering 3+ card types together earns a 15% discount across the suite, making it more economical to order comprehensively rather than piece by piece.
At minimum: both full names, the ceremony date and time, the venue name and full address (city and state at minimum), reception details if at a different location, and RSVP instructions with a deadline. Optional but recommended: dress code, QR code or wedding website URL, and accommodation information if guests are traveling. Practical logistics like hotel room blocks, transportation, and parking are better placed on a separate details insert card than crowded onto the main invitation.
Yes. A popular approach is to send printed invitations to local and domestic guests, and digital invitations to international guests or to keep costs and postage down for an extended list. Through the Joy platform partnership, Paperlust couples can access matching digital invitation formats that share the visual identity of their printed suite.
A 24-hour rush print option is available for an additional fee on select print methods. Contact the Paperlust team via live chat before placing your order to confirm availability for your chosen method and quantity and to get a rush fee quote. Letterpress and foil stamping cannot be rushed due to the mechanical setup involved (20-day production is the minimum for these methods).
Yes. Every Paperlust order includes one tree planted in Borneo through a certified reforestation program. The range also includes FSC-certified paper stocks, recycled Kraft card, and seed paper - plantable invitations embedded with wildflower or herb seeds that guests can grow after the wedding. These options are available within the design tool or via the special requests field.
Yes. Destination wedding invitations typically benefit from a full stationery suite - invitation plus a detailed information insert card covering travel logistics, accommodation options, and event itinerary. For the design itself, destination weddings often inspire location-specific choices: coastal florals for beach ceremonies, mountain and landscape designs for ski or national park venues, tropical botanicals for Caribbean or international destinations. Browse by style or location keyword to find designs suited to your setting.
Paperlust offers a 100% happiness guarantee. If there is a printing quality issue with your order, Paperlust will reprint it or issue a full refund. This applies to production and quality issues, not to errors in wording or design that were present on your approved proof - which is why careful proof review before approval is important. Contact the team via live chat if any issue arises after delivery.
Yes. Within the design tool you can change text, fonts, colors, and many layout elements. For changes beyond what the tool allows - repositioning design elements, adjusting proportions, combining elements from different templates, or structural layout changes - submit these as special requests with your order. The designer assigned to your proof will action them. For a fully custom invitation from an original brief, Paperlust's custom design service offers quote-based pricing at paperlust.co/custom-design/.
Paperlust's envelope address printing service prints each guest's name and address directly onto their envelope before your order is dispatched. You import your guest list through the Address Manager tool (compatible with Excel, Facebook, or manual entry), choose a complementary font, and the envelopes arrive pre-addressed and ready for assembly. At $0.14 per address (approx.), this service saves significant time on large guest lists and ensures a consistent, polished presentation for every envelope.
Yes. Paperlust ships to Canada via DHL Express, with transit times typically 3-5 business days. Free DHL Express shipping applies to orders over $350. Pricing is displayed in US dollars on the Paperlust site.
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