How to Make Your Own Pocketfold Wedding Invitations

Pocketfold invitations are becoming a very popular option for couples who want to send additional information to their wedding guests along with the invitation itself. Such information may include a reply card, map/directions to the venue, local accommodation listings and local hairdresser/beautician listings.

There are many ways to make the outer card for pocketfold wedding invitations and most involve rulers, scoring, folding, cutting, gluing and basically a lot of time! The quickest and most professional-looking method is to start with prefolded blank pocketfolds which usually come with a matching envelope. 130mm x 130mm or 145mm x 145mm pocketfolds are popular sizes; The inserts for them can be printed 2 per A4 page and they are a neat size for posting.

To create the inserts for your pocketfold invitations, create 2 textboxes in Microsoft Word. Make the textboxes a few millimeters smaller than the size of the outer card; For example, for a 130mm x 130mm pocketfold, make the text boxes 125mm x 125mm. Add colour to the outer line of the box so that you can use this as a guide when cutting out later. It is a good idea to add your wording in a plain font to start with to make proof reading easy. Once you're happy with the text, change it to a 'fancy' wedding font. (Dafont is an excellent source for free downloadable fonts.)

If you have a reasonable quality home printer, you should be able to print the inserts at home without having to go to a printer. Cut out the inserts with a paper trimmer/guillotine and back with double sided tape, (3 strips of 12mm double sided tape works well).

For a more layered effect, use coloured card as a border under the paper insert. If you are doing this, you should make the paper insert slightly smaller so that there is a decent sized border around the insert. 25mm double sided tape is great for attaching card. Peel off the liner from the double sided tape and attach the backing card (if using) to the pocketfold, followed by the insert.

Assemble the 'pocket' with 2 strips of 12mm double sided tape and decorate with ribbon and embellishments of your choice.

For a range of colours of pocketfolds, card, and paper as well as rhinestone crystals, card toppers and double sided tape, visit the DIY section of http://www.creativeinvites.ie.