Acrylic invitations have become increasingly popular for special events and celebrations like weddings, baby showers, engagement parties and more. Made of durable, transparent acrylic, these modern invitations make a stunning impression on guests.
The acrylic material allows for beautiful custom designs and details to be etched or printed on the surface. When done well or purchased from Duallush Designs, acrylic invitations can catch the eye in a sea of paper invites and really wow your guests.
Here, in the blog post, we will provide several useful tips and ideas for designing picture-perfect acrylic invitations for your special event. Whether you want a classic look or something more adventurous, following these tips will help you create invitations that get noticed and set the right tone for your event.
Choose the Right Acrylic Invitation Style
The first step in designing effective acrylic invitations is choosing the right style that aligns with your event and needs. There are several common acrylic invitation styles to consider:
Flat acrylic invitations are completely flat pieces made out of a single acrylic sheet. The designs and details are etched or printed on the topside. These are the most simple in terms of production but have the least design flexibility. Flat invitations work best for simple, minimalist designs.
Folded acrylic invitations have multiple connected acrylic sheets that fold like a book. This allows for designs on the front, inside and back. The fold makes them more durable for mailing. Folded invitations allow for more design elements but are harder to produce.
Shaped acrylic invitations come in unique non-square shapes like circles, ovals, hearts, stars, etc. Laser cutting the acrylic into shapes adds interest and suits creative events. Circular invitations can mimic the look of records for music events. Heart shapes work for weddings and anniversaries. The limitations of the shape need to be considered for adding text and details.
Multi-layered acrylic invitations have two or more acrylic sheets stacked and adhered together. This allows designs between the layers as well as on the top and backside. Sophisticated details like foil or glitter can be sandwiched between layers. While more expensive to make, the depth and sophistication makes them stand out.
The choice of invitation style depends on several factors like your event type, overall theme or aesthetic, budget, delivery requirements, and enclosure needs. Flat or folded styles tend to be popular for corporate events and weddings. Shaped invitations lend a creative, non-traditional element while multi-layered versions take things to an elevated level.
Select Colors and Graphics Appropriate To Your Event Tone
The colors and graphics used on the acrylic invitation set the overall style, look and tone for your event. Using colors and designs consistently throughout your event branding also creates cohesion. Here are some tips on selecting acrylic invitation colors and graphics:
Colors
Complement the colors chosen for your event theme, logo, decor etc. For example, pink and gold for a blush-colored wedding or bold primary colors for a kids’ carnival party. Avoid clashing colors.
Match the season or timing of your event – pastels or neons for spring, rich autumnal hues for fall, metallic colors in winter etc. Avoid colors linked to inauspicious events like red for Chinese weddings.
Consider the vibe you want to set – bold brights for energetic mood, neutrals for elegant feel, dark hues for dramatic tone
Graphics
Incorporate any graphics or logos connected to your event for brand consistency – wedding monogram, company logo, school crest etc.
Select decorative borders, backgrounds or other graphics that align with the event theme – art deco lines for 1920s jazz party, floral frames for garden tea party etc. Avoid overly complex patterns.
Use relevant themed clipart – decorative cake and confetti for wedding, graduation cap for commencement ceremony etc. Clip art should match style.
Consider typography as a graphic element on the invitation, using stylized fonts to convey mood – retro fonts for throwback bash, sleek sans serif font for modern event etc.
Printing the graphics professionally will assure crisp, flawless results. For best clarity, print on high quality acrylic grades. Avoid printing intricate designs on cheaper acrylics.
Include the Right Information
While aesthetics are important for beautiful acrylic invitations, they also need to clearly convey key event details to guests. Be sure to include:
The names of hosts – can be individuals, organization, couple’s names etc. Follow formal protocols for proper spelling of names and titles.
Event name and occasion – for example, “You’re invited to Jennifer’s 30th Birthday Extravaganza”
Location of the event with address
- Date and time of the event along with start and end times if applicable
- Any special instructions like parking directions, attire, bringing gifts etc.
- RSVP instructions – deadline, contact info, online link etc.
This information can be presented in creative ways within the graphical design:
- In a stylized font or with decorative treatments like foil stamping, embossing etc.
- On an RSVP card enclosed within a folded or layered invite
- Etched onto the acrylic layers
- Printed on the backside or interior panels
- Displayed through laser cut shapes and negatives
The wording can follow formal etiquette or adopt a more casual tone depending on the occasion. Be sure information is logically structured, spelled correctly, and legible on the acrylic material. Avoid cramming or clutter.
Choose Durable, High-Quality Acrylic
For invitations that impress, choose acrylic grades that offer durability, clarity and style. Avoid flimsy acrylics that crack or cloud easily. Here are some tips for selecting quality acrylic:
Thickness – Acrylic invites should be at least 3-5mm thick. Thinner acrylics have less structure while thicker is more durable. However, overly thick acrylics can be heavy for mailing.
Scratch resistance – Opt for medium to high scratch-resistant acrylic which maintains clarity despite minor scuffs or drops during shipping and handling. Low scratch resistance grades appear damaged fast.
Transparency and clarity – The acrylic grade should not have a tinted color and should have high optical clarity without cloudiness. This assures designs and graphics print and etch crisply.
Polishable edges – Acrylic edges that can be machine polished create smooth rounded corners and elegant beveled edges. Hand Polished and laser cut edges lack refined shaping.
Grade – Acrylic is available in commercial, standard, optical and premium grades. Premium cast or extruded acrylic provide the best durability, light transmission and structure for invitations.
Price point – Higher grades cost more but give better performance and longevity that justify the price. Avoid the cheapest bargain acrylics.
By selecting high-quality acrylic materials for your invitations, you can assure they will withstand mailing and travel while offering pristine transparency and beauty to showcase your designs. This makes the additional cost worthwhile.
Finishing and Delivery
After designing and printing your acrylic invitations, some finishing touches can enhance their style and presentation:
Edge finishing – Polishing the cut acrylic edges makes them smooth instead of sharp and rough. Additional edge treatments like beveling, rounding and notching add further refinements.
Stand or holders – Acrylic invitations can be placed in acrylic stands or holders to keep them upright for display. The stand can match or contrast the main acrylic.
Embellishments – Consider adding crystals, gilding, foils or lacquers to the etched design for extra ornamentation. However, avoid over-embellishing a clean, simple design.
Envelopes or casing – They can be safely delivered in sturdy envelopes or protective casings in coordinating styles.
When preparing to mail the invites, presentation impacts the unboxing experience:
- Protective inserts – Tissue paper, foam or flocked inserts prevent rattling, scratching or breaking in transit.
- Ribbons – Coordinated ribbons add a decorative detail when sealing packaging.
- Invitation suites – Other matching items like programs, menus or thank you notes can be bundled into a suite.
With careful finishing and packaging, the invitation experience stays magical from mailbox to guest hands. Sending extras like programs gets guests excited for what’s to come.
Conclusion
Designing beautiful, functional acrylic invitations requires balancing aesthetics, logistics and craftsmanship. Following the tips in this blog will get you on the right track for creating flawless acrylic invitations your guests will fawn over.
The key things to remember are:
- Choose the acrylic invitation style suited for your event and design needs
- Select visually appealing graphics, colors and typography that align with the theme
- Display necessary event information clearly and accurately
- Use premium acrylic grades to get clarity, durability and style
- Refine the finished invitations with edge polishing, stands, and casing
- Package with care to deliver an exceptional unboxing experience
With attention to these details by the Duallush Designs craftsmen, your invites will impress guests and get them excited to RSVP. Acrylic invitations are easy to customize to your vision when you follow the right design approach. Feel free to apply these tips when creating your own distinctive acrylic invitations. Turn your event into a memorable moment with this unique invitation medium.
