Seal-and-send invitations are an affordable alternative to traditional card and envelope wedding invitations. This all-in-one style invitation is also considered a more environmentally friendly option since all of the information is printed on one folded piece of paper with a perforated RSVP card, thus eliminating the need for multiple enclosures. Although the style is more casual than other invitations, the time and money you can save with seal and sends is well worth the compromise.

Because of the perforated response cards that are key to the all-in-one design of these invitations, it is probably best to purchase a set of seal and sends that are ready for printing. This is still an extremely cost-effective option even when compared to making your own traditional invitations from scratch, which often requires multiple layers of paper and sets of envelopes.

Online retailers like LCI Paper offer blank, ready-to-print cardstock seal-and-send sets for as low as under $20 for a pack of 50 invitations, as of 2009. These types of sets come in a variety of colors and patterns to suit varying themes.

If you purchase a blank set from an online source, you’ll want to check the manufacturer’s website for a printing template with instructions to be downloaded to your computer. Most of these templates can be downloaded to Microsoft Word or Works and provide step-by-step details on how to customize your text for the inside and outside of the invitation before printing it out.

Round envelope seals are imperative to this type of invitation since there is no outer envelope for mailing. Although some blank sets come with a set of seals, you might be required to purchase them separately. Consider finding a decorative or monogrammed round seal to give your invitations a customized appearance, to add to your theme, or to simply dress things up a bit. Clear seals are more economical, but a decorative silver or gold seal adds elegance to the back of the invitation.

If you want to attempt making seal and sends completely from scratch, cut out a large piece of cardstock paper to measure approximately 14 1/2 inches by 5 3/4 inches. With the paper positioned vertically, make horizontal score lines at roughly 2 1/2 inches and 6 1/2 inches down from the top. Create a horizontal perforated edge around 10 1/2 to 10 3/4 inches from the top by punching small holes about 1/16 of an inch apart in the paper using a quilting pin and ruler to guide. Find a seal-and-send invitation template to customize your text, and print it out.

When customizing the text on Microsoft Word or Works before printing out, remember to choose fonts and colors that fit your theme but are also easily readable. Check out examples online, and print out a test page on a regular piece of paper before beginning to print on your purchased set.

If you’re unsure of this type of invitation, consider purchasing a sample from an online stationery store to see what you think.