Invitations are the very first impression everyone will have of your party. We get the question many times each day after a final invitation design has been sent, “Where do I print these?” There are many options for how and where to print and I’m going to explain them for you below.
Top left: Original digital file
Top middle: Printed through Forever Your Prints as a 5×7 invitation on premium press paper. This option includes envelopes and free shipping. Notice the color is closest to the original file.
Top Right: Printed two per page on 110lb. cardstock at Staples Copy Center. While the pinks are just slightly darker than the original file, the teal is printed as more of a baby blue and you will need to cut out each invitation. Envelopes are not included.
You can also print your invitations as glossy photos. They are not as sturdy and colors vary greatly depending on the printer.
Bottom Left: Printed at Walgreens as a 5×7 glossy photo. Envelopes not included.
Bottom Middle: Printed at Walmart as a 5×7 glossy photo. Envelopes not included.
Bottom Right: Printed at Costco as a 5×7 glossy photo. Envelopes not included.
Price is also a factor in where to print, here are prices you might pay for 25 5×7 invitations from these print labs and what is included.
Forever Your Prints – $47.95
*Printed on 130lb. premium press paper
*Best color rendition
*Sturdiest of all examples
*Includes envelopes
Staples – $12.74
*Printed on 110lb. cardstock
*More sturdy than the glossy photo, but less than the premium press paper
*You will need to cut out each invitation
*Envelopes not included
*Pay for shipping or pick up in store
Walgreens – $49.75
*Printed as a glossy photo
*Highest price
*Flimsy
*Envelopes not included
*Pay for shipping or pick up in store
Walmart – $36.75
*Printed as a glossy photo
*Best color rendition between glossy photo comparisons
*Flimsy
*Envelopes not included
*Pay for shipping or pick up in store
Costco – $9.75
*Printed as a glossy photo
*Lowest price
*Worst color rendition
*Flimsy
*Envelopes not included
*Pay for shipping or pick up in store
I hope these comparisons help show you some of the differences between print labs. Each lab has it’s pros and cons, depending on what is most important to you.
TIP/BEST PRACTICE: ALWAYS print a test sample of your design at the lab you have chosen. Every print lab is different in quality, and the above photos show you just how different they can be. Rule of thumb…if your design does not print similar to how you view it on your computer…it is not the design itself, but the print lab being used. The quality of your print is based on many factors, such as….quality of ink, quality of paper, the finish/texture of the paper, the type of printer being used , as well as the quality of the printer.
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[…] or product using your choice print company (see why a good printing company matters). Choose your punch out, we used a 2.25″ circle and 2″ […]
I almost always use costco…and even before looking at the details and prices…the costco one stood out the most and looked the best to me. ~Xan
Thank you so much for your reply. The comparison is to show which labs print the closest to the original file.
The differences are pretty interesting =)