Custom Invitation Boxes

How an invitation box is made

Most invitation boxes are shallow rigid boxes, just deep enough for a stack of cards and perhaps a small gift.

The box is greyboard wrapped in paper, made up at the factory and delivered ready to use. A lift-off lid is the simplest build. A magnetic flap or a book-style lid opens like a cover and gives a more formal reveal.

Inside, a ribbon pull under the cards lets the guest lift the whole suite out without digging at the edges. A shallow tray or slot can hold the RSVP card apart from the main invitation.

• Shallow rigid box, made up
• Lift-off, magnetic or book lid
• Ribbon pull to lift the cards

Sizing the box to the suite

Design the cards first, then size the box around them with only a few millimetres to spare.

The box depth depends on how many cards there are and how thick they are. A suite of three heavy cards needs very little depth; a suite with a small gift, a fabric swatch or a booklet needs more. Measure the full stack with any wrap or band around it.

Too much room and the cards slide and bend at the corners. Too little and they are hard to lift out. A snug fit with a ribbon pull is the usual answer. Send us the card sizes and the height of the full stack, and we size the box around them.

Posting a boxed invitation

A box costs more to post than a flat envelope and usually needs an outer layer.

Postal services price mail by size, thickness and weight, and a rigid box often falls into a parcel or large letter band rather than a standard letter. Check the band against the box's finished size, shown on the dieline, before committing to a guest list's worth of postage.

A wrapped rigid box will scuff and dent at the corners in the post if it goes uncovered. A plain outer mailer or a padded envelope keeps it in good condition. Many invitation boxes are hand-delivered for this reason.

• Check the postal band against the dieline
• Use an outer mailer for posting
• Hand delivery avoids scuffed corners

Invitation box or envelope and folder?

A box makes the invitation a keepsake. An envelope or folder is cheaper and easier to post.

A folder or pocket card holds the same suite of cards, posts as a letter and costs a fraction of a box. It suits large guest lists and invitations that are read and then put away.

A box is chosen when the invitation is part of the experience: it is kept, displayed or holds a gift. It works best for a smaller list, such as a wedding party or a VIP launch, where the extra cost is spread over fewer guests.

Wrap, foil and the look

The wrap paper and a single finish do most of the work on an invitation box.

Textured papers, such as linen or felt finishes, give a handmade look and hide small marks. Smooth coated papers show photography and colour more clearly. Foil on names or a monogram on the lid reads well on both, and embossing gives a raised feel that suits weddings.

Light-coloured wraps show handling marks quickly, which matters when every box is opened by hand. Keep the lid design simple and save detail for the cards inside, which are printed separately.

Rigid invitation box or folding carton?

A rigid box is the right pick for a short, settled guest list. A folding carton is the right pick for a larger list or a tighter budget.

If dates, venues or names may still change, keep the details on the cards and the box design general. A box printed with the date cannot be corrected later, while a card can be reprinted.

For a large guest list, the cost of rigid boxes and postage adds up fast. A folding carton is lighter and ships flat, and we can make the rigid version in the same design for a few key guests.