DIY Invitations - Custom Printing vs. DIY

[agm04]

Invitations have been really hard for me to choose.  I've spent hours looking online, and other than super expensive letterpress, I haven't found anything I love.  (Side note - I do love boarding pass invites, but FI is a more traditional kind of guy, and I want to honor that with invitations.)  I really want pretty invitations, but they're not a priority in terms of budget.  I finally found this paper I absolutely love from paper source.

 

I was going to put it on navy cardstock backing, then have it printed in navy with pretty double envelopes, etc.  The paper itself is like .92 a sheet.  So anyway, I got really excited thinking I'd be able to have something gorgeous for a reasonable price.  UNTIL I STARTED LOOKING AT PRINTING.  Geez.  Paper source quoted me over $3 just for the invitation (no RSVP cards, inserts, etc included in that).  SAD TROMBONE.  So I'm wondering if I should try to do it myself.  It says inkjet will work.  I don't have a printer but maybe I should buy one...or give up on pretty invitations and just buy something inexpensive.  Or does anyone have recommendations for printing?  Thanks!

[Jenna1511]

I'm printing mine on an inkjet printer that was $70 and they turning out great! I was really surprised and I am able to do it at home. With adding in the cost of ink and paper I still think it would be less expensive then paying $3 an invite without any inserts. I say go the DIY route...if you don't like them then the worst thing is....now you have a printer at home for other things! Go for what you want it's your wedding!

[agm04]

Good to know, thanks!  Have you had problems with paper getting stuck, ink smudging, things like that?  That's the only thing I'd be nervous about.  How many invitations do you have to print?  And have you had to buy multiple ink cartridges?  We live in Manhattan (and so our apartment in a shoe box), so I'd rather not buy a printer, but I could always just sell it after the wedding.  I'm sure there are lots of things I could use it for - table numbers, etc.

[Jenna1511]

I'm jealous you live in New York I love that place! No problems with jamming or smudging...I'm making passport invites with boarding pass RSVP so it's at least 3 full pages per invite and there are 45 to make! I'm sure I'll buy extra ink but we use it a lot for other home stuff! I have an HP all in one printer. I feel ya with the space issue, so I say go with your gut!

[agm04]

Wow - lots of printing!  Thank you so much for the info, and good luck!

[Jenna1511]

Your welcome and good luck to you too! I would love to see pics on what you settled on!