When to Start the Design Process for Bespoke Stationery
Planning a wedding or special event is a whirlwind of decisions—and your stationery plays a key role in setting the tone. Whether you’re dreaming of hand-illustrated invitations, whimsical place cards, or elegant save-the-dates, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“When should I start the stationery design process?”
If you’re working with a bespoke designer (hi, that’s me!) who provides print-ready files instead of printed pieces, there’s flexibility—but timing still matters. In this post, I’ll walk you through an ideal stationery timeline, along with a few tips to keep the process smooth, creative, and stress-free.
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Why Timing Matters with Custom Stationery
Unlike templates or pre-made designs, bespoke stationery is a collaborative and creative journey. I craft each piece to reflect your unique story, your event’s atmosphere, and your aesthetic preferences—whether it’s soft and romantic or vibrant and whimsical.
This takes time:
• Time for design exploration
• Time for feedback and revisions
• And time for you to review everything before you send the files to your printer
Because I don’t offer in-house printing, I deliver high-resolution, print-ready files that you can forward to a printer of your choice. Even though you’ll handle printing on your end, the earlier we begin, the smoother everything will go.
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Save-the-Dates
Start design: 8–10 months before your event
Send to printer: 6–8 months before your event
Save-the-dates are especially helpful if you’re planning a destination wedding or expecting many out-of-town guests. They don’t need to be overly detailed—just enough to let your guests mark their calendars.
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Invitations
Start design: 5–6 months before your event
Send to printer: 3–4 months before your event
Mail out: 2–3 months before your event
Your invitations are the heart of your stationery suite. This is where your design vision can truly come to life—whether through illustrated motifs, custom monograms, or personalized layouts. Allow ample time for this part of the process, especially if you’re including RSVP cards, details inserts, or envelope liners.
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Day-of Stationery (Menus, Place Cards, Programs, etc.)
Start design: 4–6 weeks before the event
Send to printer: 2–3 weeks before the event
These pieces often depend on final guest counts and vendor details, which tend to get finalized closer to the big day. That said, we can plan ahead by setting the layout and design direction in advance, then pop in final details later.
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Thank You Cards
Start design: Around your event date or just after
Send to printer: Within 1–2 weeks of finalizing the design
Custom thank-you cards are a lovely way to continue the aesthetic of your wedding or event—and they make sending gratitude feel extra special.
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Things to Keep in Mind
1. You’ll need time to choose a printer.
Because I provide digital files, you’ll be forwarding them to a printer of your choice. I’m happy to guide you with file formats and print specs, but the earlier you decide on a printer, the better. You may want to get a test print done ahead of time!
2. Plan for feedback and revisions.
Most bespoke projects involve one to two rounds of light revisions. Building in time for thoughtful feedback will ensure that your final designs feel just right.
3. Add extra buffer for busy seasons.
Spring and summer tend to be the busiest for weddings and events. If your celebration falls during a peak season, consider starting your design process even earlier to secure your spot in my calendar.
Let’s Make Magic Together
Creating bespoke stationery is more than just designing pretty paper—it’s about capturing your story and translating it into artwork that your guests will love (and probably keep forever). My goal is to make the process joyful and collaborative, not rushed or overwhelming.
If you’re unsure where to start, feel free to reach out. I’d love to talk through your timeline and vision to create something truly special—one illustrated detail at a time.
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Ready to begin your bespoke stationery journey?
Contact me here to get started—let’s bring your dream designs to life.