We tend to focus a lot on all the lovely wedding invites we create around here, but truth be told we also print a TON of Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations (and they’re always a blast!).  We can adapt any of our invite designs into a Bar/Bat invite very easily by changing up the wording, adding Hebrew characters, or – as is the case with this Amici (from designer Ian Koenig) customization, by adding a small star of David from our motif library.  Loving the simple beauty of this one.

inks: pewter + cardinal | font: requiem | paper: 1-ply white | invite size: sq-7 | edge painting: cardinal | client coordinator: chris gannon | in-house designer: sarah walroth

The Cascade letterpress wedding invitation is the perfect match for this timeless bride. A mix of modern shapes for him and soft script for her- think classic elegance with modern flare.

cascade customization = inks: charcoal + chartreuse | fonts: sophia + jubliant | paper: white | invite size: f-8 | liner: antique geometrics | edge painting: wisteria | original design by Kelle Anne McCarter | customized by in-house designer Brenda Fox |
embellishment suggestions: foil stamping : silver matte

(Photo Credits: Ashleigh Taylor Photography)

These simple, yet wonderfully unique letterpress birthday invitations sent to us by our friends over at By Invitation Only in Arizona are a real treat!  The set features our Modern Light design (by Ian Koenig) and includes a beautiful invitation to the party as well as a reply card.  Each piece is printed in our espresso ink and has a charming monogram (which show off the initials for the person of honor as well as his birth date) in the top left corner.  Getting these in the mail would be almost as sweet as a slice of the Birthday cake!

ink: espresso | font: requiem | paper: 2-ply ivory | invite size: sq-7 | edge painting: espresso

Edge painting and foil edging are centuries old, but here at Bella Figura we are keeping this timeless practice alive! We offer both edge painting and foil edging as embellishment options for our letterpress invitations. Want to customize your invitations by adding an edging but not sure which option to choose? We know that the process of choosing embellishments may seem a little overwhelming (especially since we’ve added a lot to our list of options for 2012), so today we’re here to tell you about the differences between edge painting and foil edging, and we’ll help you determine which embellishment will work best for you.

First here are a few thing to ask yourself:

1. Do you want a sleek, metallic shine or a reflective edge?
2. Are you using foil stamping in your suite?
3. Do you want to use an accent color outside of our letterpress inks?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then foil edging may be the perfect choice!

We are completely in love with foil edging, and thrilled that we can offer this option! Shiny metallics will be really popular for weddings in 2012, so if you are looking for a trendy new way to enhance your invitations this may be the perfect fit for you. We have 12 dazzling new foil colors that are all stunning (ranging from more traditional silver, gold & copper colors to more modern teal, fuchsia & indigo). Foil edging leaves a shiny edge that we think is breathtaking. If you can’t fit foil stamped invitations into your budget but still want a special hint of shine, you can add foil edging!

1. Do you want a bright pop of color (think neons), or are you ordering a custom ink* color and want a cohesive suite? *Custom inks are an additional charge.
2. Do you want a matte finish?
3. Are you trying to keep costs down?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then edge painting may be the perfect choice!

Edge painting is directly associated with our letterpress inks – we can edge paint in any of our ink colors! If you don’t see an ink color that you truly love, we can create a custom ink color for your letterpress invitations for $85 and edge paint in the same color to match! We do offer 3 metallic inks – gold, silver, and bronze – but the finishes have more of a matte look instead of a shine. Neon inks are a super popular option as well, and will continue to be a big wedding trend in 2012. Besides the addition of foil edging and new neon inks, we’ve also added some gorgeous new jewel tone ink colors to our collection – so if you are looking for an extra pop of color, edge painting is the perfect choice. Edge painting is also more affordable than foil edging, so if you are on a budget but still want an edge, edge painting is the way to go!

Nothing can compare to seeing these embellishments in person. You can always order samples or visit one of our wonderful dealers! Here are some designs that feature edge painting, and here are some that have foil edging!

Bella Figura’s letterpress invitation designs for 2012 have arrived!  We’ve added 6 brand new designers and 83 new letterpress wedding invitation designs – which means you’ve now got over 300+ incredible designs to choose from! We’ve added new embellishment options, too — think metallics (foil stamping and foil edging now available in 12 dazzling colors – choose traditional metallics like gold, silver or copper, or go for something a little more daring, like fuchsia, indigo, forest or teal!). Metallics and shine will be a huge wedding trend for 2012, so mix foil stamping with letterpress for a hint of glamour, create a show-stopping look with a powerful pair of foil stamped colors (think two tone gold or gold with silver), or add foil edging for a splash of sophisticated flair.

Counter clock-wise from upper left: Aria by Maybelle; Canto by Kelle Anne McCarter; Fugue by Kamal; Traditional Script by Beth Barr; Moroccan Romantic by Lindsy Aragona; Unique Minimes by Gina Dean and Lauren Richel Kelly. 

New designs and metallics aren’t the only thing we’ve got that’s new for 2012! We’ve got new calligraphy styles, new options for pocketfolds, envelopes + envelope liners, and more. There’s a wide variety of artwork, cartouches, and monograms in our motif library.  Let Chris – one of our knowledgeable invitation experts – walk you through all of the amazing new offerings (just check out the video below!)

We love it when someone thinks outside of the box and customizes one of our letterpress wedding invitations for a separate occasion. These letterpress surprise birthday invitations feature Patricia Mumau‘s whimsical Balsam Calligraphy design. Our vine ink fits perfectly with the calligraphy leaf motif that repeats throughout the set. For maximum contrast a solid envelope liner in Chartreuse and edge painting were carefully selected. We could barely keep these a secret!

ink: vine | calligraphy: harrison hand calligraphy, by patricia mumau style | paper: 1-ply white  | invite size: a7 | liner: the classic color pattern in chartreuse  | edge painting: chartreuse | client coordinator: christie jones  | in-house designer: lindsy aragona

Featuring the gorgeous hand calligraphy of Debi Zeinert, Classic Calligraphy definitely tends to be one of our more, well, classic designs.  Throw some fresh Navy ink and vibrant Watermelon edge painting into the mix though, and you get a really great splash of bold contemporary style.  A brightly contrasting edge paint color is a wonderful way to make things fun and current without going too far overboard and loosing the vintage-inspired vibe of the overall set.  These invitations also feature a cute website card – an elegant and eco-friendly way to direct guests to your website for additional wedding details.

ink: navy | paper: 2-ply ivory | invite size: a7 | liner: antique geometrics pattern in navy | edge painting: watermelon | client coordinator: chris gannon | in-house designer: lindsy aragona

It’s no secret that we are obsessed with letterpress. Behold, this jaw-dropping letterpress bridal shower invitation. Not only was the original Chapin (by Patricia Mumau) design transformed to perfectly celebrate the autumn season, but a new card was created for recipes to be passed onto future generations. Marigold and espresso inks breathe warmth into this whimsical design. The edge paint in marigold brings an extra touch of color that compliments the folk art. A classy envelope liner in solid espresso ink intensifies the rich brown hues associated with fall. We are captivated by the timeless beauty exuding from this letterpress invitation set.

inks: espresso + marigold | fonts: sofia + moravia + chapin  | paper: 1-ply ivory  | invite size: SQ6 | liner: the classic color pattern in espresso ink | edge painting: marigold | client coordinator: christie jones  | in-house designer: sarah walroth

Our Keswick (by Beth Ann Seal) letterpress wedding invitations are given a modern color twist in this quirky customization. Letterpress printed in garden and clover inks, they are perfectly contrasted with shocking pops of mesa edge paint on all pieces (yes that’s right every card). This couple also benefited from our 10% off promotion (10% off if you purchase 6 printed pieces). See more details and the small print here!

inks: clover + garden | fonts: tropez + jubilant | paper: 2-ply ivory | invite size: sq-7 | liner: the vintage river pattern in mesa ink | edge painting: mesa | client coordinator: christie jones | in-house designer: lindsy aragona

We are delighted to share these Joie de Vivre (by Kamal) letterpress wedding invitations submitted to us by our friends at Judy Paulen Designs in New York, NY.  This stylish set definitely has a cutting-edge vibe. We feel that the perfect pairing of mediterranean and pale gray inks is out of this world.  We think you will agree that this design lives up to its name-as the French phrase, “Joie de Vivre” translates to “a carefree enjoyment of life.” This set is customized with fuchsia edge paint and a stellar envelope liner to match!

inks: mediterranean + pale gray | fonts: streamline | paper: 1-ply white | invite size: sq-7 | liner: the antique geometrics pattern in fuchsia ink | edge painting: fuchsia |