Candy hearts, flowers, sweet love notes – this can only mean one thing – Valentine’s Day is coming up quick! Get inspired and share some love with this simple, sweet customization of our Hailey Modern letterpress design.

hailey modern customization = inks: powder blue + lavender | fonts: henry + madaline | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: modern herringbone in lavender | original design by sarah walroth | customized by in-house designer racheal decker

embellishment suggestions: edge paint in british rose

(Photo Credits: Love Joy Faith)

Last week we showed you a look at some of our new 2012 letterpress invitation designs before and after they were customized, and this week we’re back with more design transformations! We’ve redone 5 of our favorite new modern invitation designs to show you just how much different an invitation can look with a color change, new fonts, and some design adjustments.

Neo Luna by Ian Koenig is charming and simple in the original design, but takes on a bolder look with a font change, added color and silver shine foil stamping.
Suggested embellishments: We think this design would look stunning with surf edge painting and a colorful envelope liner in the sea stripes pattern, printed in surf, marigold and mesa inks.
Details: letterpress ink: surf | foil stamping: silver shine | fonts: ollie + swiss | paper: bella cotton white 2-ply | size: f-8 | rounded corners

The Drawing Room design by in-house designer Sarah Walroth features fresh new fonts and a custom pocket-fold, but takes on a more whimsical look after a bit of customizing. We love this design as a square invitation with corner rounding, along with a playful font and fuchsia ink for the names.
Suggested embellishments: A white cotton pocketfold, letterpress printed with prussian blue ink and a blue pearl metallic envelope liner would add the perfect amount of shine to this pretty invitation set.
Details: letterpress inks: fuchsia + prussian blue | fonts: saint-andrew + lady rene | paper: bella cotton white 2-ply | size: sq-7 for pocketfold | pocketfold: white,  letterpressed in prussian blue ink

Ellie Snow designed the Classic Chevron invitation, which features on-trend chevron patterning, two lines of Belle hand calligraphy, and pretty sea-side and jade letterpress inks. The switch of jade ink to mustard and the repositioning of the chevron pattern gives this design customization a retro feel with a modern twist.
Suggested embellishments: A pretty custom postage stamp along with a custom envelope liner featuring the sweet polka pattern in mustard + sea-side inks would be lovely accents for this wedding invitation.
Details: letterpress inks: mustard + sea-side | fonts: sans capitals + hollow | paper: bella cotton white 2-ply | size: f-8

Kamal’s New Washi design goes from playful to sophisticated with a few simple changes: new ink colors give the invite a more subtle, formal look (and the all-over positioning of the washi pattern in cream provides an elegant, patterned effect) and the use of hand calligraphy makes for a romantic touch.
Suggested embellishments: We think a metallic bronze envelope liner along with hand calligraphy addressing by Maybelle would tie this set together beautifully.
Details: letterpress inks: cream + espresso | fonts: henry | paper: bella cotton white 2-ply | size: f-8 | rounded corners | hand calligraphy accents: gigi style

Indie Twill, a new design by Jamie Lea Bertsch, is a modern invitation which features a subtle, textile-inspired pattern. The invitation takes on a new look when the size and design placement are switched up. Pale gray and black inks make the original design a bit formal, but olive and sea mist inks make this design perfect for a more laid-back affair.
Suggested embellishments: An envelope liner in our elegant ombre pattern printed in sea mist ink would complement these invitations beautifully.
Details: letterpress inks: olive + sea mist | fonts: ruby + hollow | paper: bella cotton white 2-ply | size: f-8

Our new collection of letterpress wedding invitations has arrived, and we’ve introduced 83 new invitation designs (plus metallics: foil stamping, foil edging and lots of other cool new embellishments!) for the 2012 wedding season. Since everything at Bella Figura is completely customizable, we thought we’d show you a ‘before and after’ look at some of our favorite new invitation designs to show how a change of color, fonts, and design placement can completely transform an invitation design.

First up: the La Salle invitation design by Ian Koenig. The original design is soft and romantic in camel + pewter inks, and features three fonts, but takes on a completely regal look with new inks (regalia and charcoal), corner rounding, and new fonts: Vessa + Jubilant.
Suggested embellishments: We think this design would look gorgeous with a European formal patterned envelope liner in regalia ink and a coordinating custom postage stamp.
Details: letterpress inks: regalia + charcoal | fonts: vessa + jubilant | paper: bella cotton white 1-ply | size: f-8 | corner rounding

Next up: Rustic Jolene – an earthy design with a folk-art feel – is completely transformed with a drastic (but gorgeous) change in design placement. Prussian blue and cornflower blue inks create a stunning two-tone effect, and the square size, corner rounding, and sophisticated fonts complete the look.
Suggested embellishments: a white cotton pocketfold with a monogram letterpress printed in Prussian blue would add a nice finishing touch, along with an envelope liner in our woodstock pattern in cornflower + Prussian blue inks.
Details: letterpress inks: prussian blue + cornflower blue | fonts: daisy + moravia | paper: bella cotton white 1-ply | size: sq-7 | corner rounding

Rococo Elegance, created by Beth Barr, one of our new designers for 2012, takes on a more floral feel in this elegant customization. Hand calligraphy accents and ivory paper give the design a soft, romantic feel.
Suggested embellishments: keep it simple with a European formal patterned envelope liner in taupe ink.
Details: letterpress inks: light peach + taupe | font: botany | paper: bella cotton ivory 1-ply | size: f-8 | hand calligraphy accents: spencerian style | corner rounding

Modern Fete – a fun new design by Amy Graham Stigler – takes on a completely different look in this customization: the design goes from festive to fancy, and we think the combination of amethyst ink with gold shine foil stamping would be absolutely gorgeous.
Suggested embellishments: a bullion metallic envelope liner will coordinate perfectly with the gold shine foil stamping, and a matching postage stamp will complete the look.
Details: letterpress inks: amethyst | foil stamping: gold shine | fonts: adelais | paper: bella cotton white 1-ply | size: f-8 | corner rounding

Antique Luck by Aimee O’Boyle has a rustic feel and fantastic typography, but takes on a minimal look with a clean font and a line of hand calligraphy by Maybelle.
Suggested embellishments: an envelop liner in our simple chess pattern, printed in hazel ink would coordinate beautifully with this invitation, and hand calligraphed envelopes in the Gigi style by May-belle would be a lovely finishing touch.
Details: letterpress inks: hazel + black | font: moravia | paper: bella cotton white 1-ply | size: sq-7 | hand calligraphy accents: gigi style

The neon trend will continue to thrive in full force in 2012, so we’ve added some amazing new neon ink colors to our collection! Make a bold statement by printing your letterpress invitations in a vibrant neon color, or consider edge painting on your stationery in a bright color to add an extra wow-factor. Read on to see our favorite new neon inks & designs, and check out our tips for how you can pull in pops of neon throughout your wedding day!

Hot off the press & letterpress printed in hot pink ink (clockwise from top left): New Horizon, a modern new design from Tara Hogan; hot pink edge painting on the trendy New Washi invitation design by Kamal; grand old English styled hand calligraphed lettering is printed in hot pink in the Royal Calligraphy design by Debi Zeinert; the New Washi invitation design from Kamal, letterpress printed in hot pink ink and foil stamped in gold shine.

Lime-aid (an electric, lime-colored letterpress ink) adds a gorgeous hint of green to the Tapestry invitation by Tara Hogan (and looks stunning when printed alongside taupe ink); lime-aid ink looks extra-modern when paired with black ink and modern fonts in the Architect design by Erin Jang.

Day-glo is a vibrant new orange ink color that looks gorgeous next to charcoal ink in the Simple Dot design by Sarah Walroth; for a really daring look, pair two neon ink colors together (think hot pink with day-glo), like the Storybook Romance invitation design by Jessica Tierney.

If the thought of letterpress printing your invitations in neon inks is overwhelming, go with edge-painting in a neon ink color for a more subtle – but still stunning – color statement. Including neon in your letterpress wedding invitations is a wonderful way to set the tone for your celebration, so be sure to carry the theme throughout the rest of your wedding day. For the bride and groom: think neon pumps or a vibrant sash for her, and a cool tie and bright neon socks for him (it’ll be great for pictures!). Dress attendants in neon, too — we love the bright green dress below for bridesmaids, along with matching ties for groomsmen. And be sure to pick out some fun accessories — colorful shoes & jewelry, funky sunglasses and bright bouquets will add a gorgeous touch. Include pops of neon at the reception by incorporating vibrant dishes or cutlery with a hint of color. Neon lights add a fun glow, as will colorful table runners, napkins and other table linens.  And for an all night dance party, be sure to break out the glow sticks.

Neon table setting | Neon cake stand | Lime green pumps | DIY Neon cutlery | Neon reception |Dress | Hot pink cuff | Bright bouquet

Our letterpress design of the month for December is the trendy Ikaty design by Kamal, and it’s got us going crazy for everything ikat right now. We found these fun pieces online and just had to share — we guarantee you’ll be inspired!

1. A sweet raspberry Daphne ikat clutch | 2. The perfect ikat bridesmaid’s dress | 3. Pretty blue ikat dishes | 4. Totally turquoise ikat pillow | 5. Gorgeous red ikat cloth napkins | 6. A vibrant, multi-colored ikat scarf | 7. The prettiest ikat iPhone case | 8. A sophisticated ikat dinner plate | 9. A tropical Ikat cake

In our search for ikat inspiration, we also came across these incredible weddings on Style Me Pretty — our first fabulous find features the most amazing table runners, made with fabric ordered from Usbekistan!  The second wedding had rich blue ikat pieces scattered throughout the reception — a gorgeous board for escort cards, comfy pillows for lounging and sophisticated table runners all added the perfect touch of pattern and color (and we love the way the blue fabric looks next to those vibrant orange flowers!).

Don’t forget – the Ikaty suite is on sale for 20% off through 12/31 (including invitations, thank you notes, programs, save the dates, menus, place cards, and more!)!

Earlier this year, we worked with Alice and Beth from Alice G. Patterson Photography on an amazing project we’re really excited to share. Featured recently on Green Wedding Shoes, this collaboration features some of our most popular letterpress invitation designs alongside some incredible miniatures. Alice and Beth set up these picturesque scenes and we were completely blown away with the end result — take a look!

Our thanks go out to Jen from Green Wedding Shoes for featuring Bella Figura, and to Alice & Beth for creating such amazing images!

Thinking about your letterpress reception pieces? Think program covers! To get everyone swooning we’ve pulled together a collection of programs covers we’ve printed recently so you can see a variety of styles, colors and designs. Whether vintage or modern, colorful or classic black – let your feelings shine through your programs! You can include a sweet line of prose, a saying that pulls on your heartstrings, a scripture verse that has held true, or a design element that’s bold and beautiful. Whatever your style, feast your eyes on some of our Client Coordinator’s favs!

[Oh the beauty. Our standard letterpress program cover is 9" x 6" flat, 4.5" x 6" folded.]

[Whimsical birds and gorgeous botanicals, behold our Vendage design by Kamal.]

[Florals + quote + memorial. Sakura design by Maura Gaulthier.]

[Allegory Modern, by Bella Figura.]

[We love that this couple spelled out the time of their relationship up to the very moment they were wed on the back of their program.]

[Sigh...still swooning.]

[Classic elegance at it's finest. Blind deboss + black inks in our Plume design, by Amy Graham Stigler.]

[Vintage typography or Papel Picado? We have it all!]

Please note that with program covers, we only print the covers themselves – but the inner pages can easily be printed at home or by a local flat printing company. Since they are scored to fold easily they are available on our 1-ply paper only.  We can print on the inside of program covers and on the backside for an additional 50%.  When printing on both sides of our 1-ply paper we will lessen the impression on both sides to accommodate the added impression. (You wouldn’t want the impression from one side detracting from the impression on the other!).

Need a template to get the text positioned just right?  Download it here!

Today we’re excited to share the inspiration behind Ikaty, Bella Figura’s December design of the month {the entire suite is on sale for 20% off through 12/31!}. We chatted with Kamal, the talented designer who created this fashion forward, fabric-inspired invitation, and she filled us in on the background of the gorgeous design that we just can’t get enough of.

The Inspiration Behind Ikaty

“Ikaty” is a modern tribute of my love and fascination for the IKAT pattern, the trend, and how it mirrors a promise of commitment. To see its progression in the past couple of years is compelling to me. It’s been a part of my home since childhood – on pillows, rugs and clothing growing up, but not on paper. “Ikat” is an Indonesian language word, which depending on context, can be the nouns: cord, thread, knot and the finished ikat fabric as well as the verbs “to tie” or “to bind”(ref: Wikpedia). Sounds a little like marriage…

…and I am. I also have 3 wonderful children and try to balance it out as a working mom. This process of dyes and interwoven, complex patterns reflects my work, my marriage, my kids and what’s to come. Each distinct weave can take you into a different path in your life, growing and multiplying until you have created a pattern, a routine, or hopefully a touch of surprise in your life.

We know we are currently in winter wonderland mode but take a look at this vibrant save the date perfect for a 2012 summer wedding (which is right around the corner)! This quirky custom letterpress save the date was sent to us by our good friends over at Gus & Ruby Letterpress in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  The two cute custom designs matched with our aquamarine ink make for a one of a kind save the date that really stands out.  Instead of using our standard A6 save the date size, the couple opted for the smaller (and budget saving) A5 option.  The recipients of this card are sure to be pleasantly surprised!

ink: aquamarine| font: alouette | paper: 1-ply white |  size: a5

With another Syracuse winter sneaking up on us, this customization of Ben Whitla‘s Lumos design is feeling especially fitting for the season.  A combination of our charcoal and pool inks letterpress printed onto our snowy white 1-ply paper breathes a cool and modern breath into this popular design.  We owe the honor of printing this particular save the date to the ever-awesome gang downstate at Judy Paulen Designs Bloomingdales.

inks: charcoal + pool | paper: 1-ply white | save the date size: a6 |