As the wedding invite season starts upon us yet again, here are my tips for working in bulk.
This applies also to baptism – party invites – special anniversary/birthday – and of course the ‘thank you’ cards afterwards.
- Always keep it simple, the less the better.
- Never do anything 'fiddly' or delicate. Once or twice is fun: 100 (200!) is a nightmare.
- Small sizes work best, an A6 is good (cut an A4 sheet in half and fold).
- Rope in friends and family to help – get a production line going. One folds – one stamps – one embosses etc. Trust me after the first 50 you will really appreciate them.
- It is cheaper to make your own folded cards (as above) than to buy ready made. Stick to recognised sizes, A6, A5 etc, it makes buying the envelopes easier. If you make an odd size you will have problems getting an envelope.
- If you have a cutter with a fancy edge - use it (or a friends!) - It looks expensive at no extra cost!
- Don’t use ready made toppers – unless you have loads of spare cash. If you must - work out how many you will need and see if you can do a deal with the seller. I know am always happy to work with folk when they need a bulk order - and most businesses are the same.
- Always buy everything you need at the same time, plus 10% extra for mistakes. If you don’t, you can bet it has all gone when you need an extra 1 or 5 or so more.
- Stamp words (cheaper in bulk) or use peel-offs. Speaking as a calligrapher, believe me the excitement of 'hand doing it all' wears off after you have done 65! And if you have not had the practise your text will start to wonder all over the place, and you will get aches and pains you can well do with out.
- If you are restricted by costs - sometimes it is cheaper to invest in the 'method' rather than the 'effect'. For example it might be cheaper to buy a stamp with the lettering you need, rather than buy 200 ‘wedding invitation’ peel-offs. Always cost it out, if you are a crafter and will get use out of it afterwards (a good trimmer - cutting mat etc) – then it’s a good investment.
- Always allow yourselves enough time to complete the project. Work on the idea of doing a few a day, and factor in the days you don't feel like it. If you are working - have a family etc, your time is limited, so start well ahead.
- Don't have a bottle of wine to help you along - you will only have to redo it all in the morning. Been there, done that, it's so depressing when you face it all again!!!
It takes me a 1 or 2 days to come up with the design - then I can streamline the bench and mass produce it all in a few days - BUT THAT IS ALL I DO. I can plan like that, and as we are sole traders we know that's how it goes. You guys are fitting it around everything else and you don't want to 'over craft' yourselves and put yourself of it - I would never forgive myself.
