Zazzle offers a world of possibilities when it comes to creating stunning, personalized invitations for any event. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding, graduation, or any other milestone, Zazzle’s vast marketplace and easy-to-use customization tools have you covered. This guide will walk you through the process of finding, customizing, and ordering your perfect Zazzle invitations.
Table of Contents
- Navigating Zazzle’s Invitation Marketplace
- Customizing Your Zazzle Invitation
- Choosing the Perfect Paper and Finishing Touches
- FAQs
Chapter 1: Navigating Zazzle’s Invitation Marketplace
Zazzle’s invitation marketplace boasts a diverse collection of designs for every conceivable occasion. To find the perfect invitation that speaks to your event’s theme and style, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choosing the Right Occasion
Zazzle organizes its invitations based on specific events, making it easy to narrow down your search. Begin by selecting the appropriate category, such as “zazzle birthday invitations,” “zazzle wedding invitations,” or “zazzle online invitations,” to ensure relevant results appear.
Step 2: Refining Your Search
Once you’ve chosen the event category, use Zazzle’s filters to fine-tune your search:
- Occasion: Specify the exact event within the broader category (e.g., “baby shower” under “baby & kids”).
- Style: Filter by design styles like modern, rustic, elegant, whimsical, vintage, and more.
- Color Scheme: Choose your desired color palette to find invitations that match your event’s theme.
- Price Range: Set a budget to ensure you only see invitations within your desired price point.
- Paper Type: Select your preferred paper type and finish to preview invitations with your desired look and feel.
Additionally, use keywords in the search bar to further refine your search. For example, if you’re looking for dinosaur-themed “zazzle invitations birthday,” type “dinosaur birthday invitations” in the search bar.
Step 3: Evaluating Design Options
Each invitation preview on Zazzle displays crucial information:
- Design, Layout, and Theme: Assess if the invitation’s aesthetic aligns with your vision.
- Customization Options: Check if the invitation allows for text, photo, and color modifications.
- Paper Type and Size Options: Review the available paper types, sizes, and finishes.
- Customer Reviews and Ratings: Gauge the quality and satisfaction levels of previous buyers.
Save your favorite designs to a list for easy comparison before making your final selection.
Chapter 2: Customizing Your Zazzle Invitation
Once you’ve found a design you love, it’s time to personalize it using Zazzle’s intuitive design tool:
Step 1: Accessing the Design Tool
Simply click the “Customize Design” button on your chosen invitation to launch the editing interface.
Step 2: Adding Text and Personalization
Edit the text elements on the invitation to make it your own:
- Double-click on text boxes to edit their contents directly.
- Use the “Edit Text” button in the top toolbar for more advanced formatting options.
Remember to add all essential event details:
- Names: Include the host’s name(s) and the guest of honor’s name, if applicable.
- Dates and Times: Specify the event date and start/end times.
- Location: Provide a clear address or venue name for the event.
- RSVP Information: Include contact information for guests to confirm their attendance (phone number, email, website).
Important Note: When setting up text templates for customization, the order in which you create them matters. This ensures correct mapping to URL parameters, which define the customizable elements on your invitation.
Step 3: Incorporating Images and Graphics
Zazzle allows you to personalize your invitation further with images and graphics:
- Upload Personal Photos: Add a special touch by incorporating images related to the event or the guest of honor.
- Use Zazzle’s Graphics Library: Browse their extensive collection of clipart, illustrations, and design elements.
- Source Free Graphics: Explore websites like Creative Fabrica for free graphics, always ensuring the license permits Print-on-Demand (POD) usage for commercial purposes.
Step 4: Selecting Colors and Backgrounds
Fine-tune the invitation’s visual appeal by modifying colors and backgrounds:
- Choose Color Palettes: Select colors for text, design elements, and backgrounds that complement your event theme.
- Apply Background Colors or Patterns: Add a solid color, gradient, or pattern to the invitation’s background.
- Create Color Variations: Offer your customers a choice of color schemes by creating multiple versions of your invitation with different palettes.
Step 5: Previewing and Finalizing Your Design
Before placing your order, always preview the invitation on both sides to ensure everything looks perfect:
- The Bleed Area: Pay attention to the dotted green lines on the design canvas. These indicate the bleed area, and any element placed outside these lines risks getting cut off during printing.
- Save Your Design: Once you’re happy with the final result, save your customized invitation.
Chapter 3: Choosing the Perfect Paper and Finishing Touches
The paper you choose for your Zazzle invitations significantly impacts their look, feel, and overall impression. Let’s explore Zazzle’s paper type options:
Paper Type Comparison:
- Saint Augustine: This is the thinnest and most affordable paper option. While budget-friendly, it can be slightly translucent and may allow background patterns to show through, especially with darker colors. Consider using a solid white or colored backer to avoid this issue.
- Standard Matte: This paper is thicker than Saint Augustine, offering a nicer feel and better opacity. It’s generally recommended over semi-gloss, especially for thinner cards, as it provides a more premium look and feel without significantly increasing the cost.
- Ultra-Thick Standard White: This premium option boasts the thickest paper weight, providing a luxurious feel and excellent opacity, completely obscuring any backer patterns. It’s the most expensive option, but it makes a statement for formal events.
Pricing Insight: With Zazzle’s volume discount, 100 Saint Augustine semi-gloss invitations can cost around $117, while ultra-thick standard white invitations for the same quantity come in at approximately $195. RSVP cards on standard matte paper will cost around $1.20 each.
Envelopes
Good news! Envelopes are included with your Zazzle invitations. You can usually choose from various sizes and colors to match your invitation design.
Additional Paper Products
Planning a wedding? Zazzle offers a comprehensive selection of coordinating paper products to elevate your stationery suite:
- RSVP Cards: Opt for standard matte paper to strike a balance between quality and cost-effectiveness.
- Out-of-Towners Cards: Provide essential information for guests traveling from afar, again using standard matte paper for a polished look.
- Save-the-Date Cards: Announce your wedding date early on, choosing a paper type that complements your invitation style.
- Thank-You Cards: Express gratitude to your guests after the celebration.
- Menu Cards: Enhance the dining experience with elegantly printed menu cards.
- Place Cards: Guide guests to their designated seats with personalized place cards.
- Belly Bands: Add a touch of sophistication by wrapping your invitations with decorative belly bands.
For these additional products, consider matching the paper type to your invitations for a cohesive and polished look.
Chapter 4: FAQs
What are URL parameters, and why does their order matter when creating a Zazzle invitation?
URL parameters are parts of a web address that contain information about the specific page or item you are viewing. In the context of Zazzle invitations, they define the customizable elements, like names, dates, and locations. The order in which you set up text templates for customization impacts how these elements are mapped to the URL parameters. If the order is incorrect, the information may not display correctly on the personalized invitation.
What is the bleed area, and why is it important to stay within it?
The bleed area is a margin that extends beyond the actual trim size of your invitation. It’s crucial to keep all essential design elements within the dotted green lines representing the bleed area on the Zazzle design canvas. If any element extends beyond these lines, it risks being cut off during the printing process.
What is Zazzle’s volume discount, and how does it work?
Zazzle’s volume discount is a pricing structure that offers significant savings when you order a larger quantity of invitations. Instead of waiting for sales, consider utilizing the volume discount for a more predictable and often more cost-effective approach, especially for bulk orders.
Can I use my own graphics on Zazzle invitations?
Yes, you can personalize your invitations with your own graphics or images. However, it’s essential to ensure you have the necessary rights to use those graphics, especially if you intend to sell the invitations. Be mindful of copyright laws and opt for graphics with a Print-on-Demand (POD) usage license for commercial purposes.
Can I order a sample invitation before placing a bulk order?
Absolutely! Zazzle typically allows you to order a sample invitation before committing to a larger quantity. This is a valuable way to assess the paper quality, color accuracy, and overall look and feel of your invitation before making a final purchase.