Tuscany - The Folded Card Invitation

Tuscany Free Downloadable Templates

Three templates are required to make this invitation; the cover, the insert and the reply card.

Insert templates are available in three formats in either formal or informal wording. A 'personalised' invitation is where you can type in your guests names. An 'open' invitation has a line for you to handwrite the names once you have printed the invitation. A 'cordial'invitation is where no guests names are used (this is handy if you want spares to send out at the last minute!).

Choose from either formal or informal versions of the template insert.

To download, follow these instructions:

Right click on the blue arrow icon (left of the template title that you want) and select 'save target as'.
Choose where you want to save it to, click save and away you go.
Each template will only take a few seconds to download.

To use the template once you have downloaded it:

Double click the template icon and Microsoft Word will open and show the invitation template.

All the templates are saved in the font 'Arial' as this is common to the majority of PC's. Just change the names, dates, venue etc. to suit by selecting the text and typing over it.If you want to change the font, just highlight/select the text and choose another font. If you change the font, you may need to change the size to make it fit properly and look good.

Print on A4 size test paper - you may need to make minor adjustments for the margins to fit your printer but we have created the templates with the majority of settings in mind - so most of you shouldn't have too many problems.

A5 invitation cover	A5 personalised insert formal	A5 personalised insert informal
reply cards	A5 cordial insert formal	A5 cordial insert informal
	A5 open insert formal	A5 open insert informal

Tuscany Recipe & Instructions

Makes 25 invitations with separate reply cards and reply envelopes plus wax sealed outer envelopes
(covers approximately 45 guests).

Ingredients List
Quantity	Description
2 packs	Card - choose a style & colour
1 pack	C5 Cartridge Envelopes - choose a colour
1 pack	C6 Cartridge Envelopes (for the replies) - choose a colour
1	Wax Seal - choose a design
2	Wax Sticks - choose a colour
1	Ink Pad - choose a colour
1	Rubber Stamp - choose a design
2 bags	Heart Confetti - for the finishing touches (you could use the freeze dried rose petals if your budget allows)
You will also need: Access to a computer and printer, a lighter/matches, a pair of scissors or a guillotine, a ruler, a small bowl with an ice cube (no kidding - it comes in handy!) & some paper glue (like pritt).

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Full Instructions:

Print your invitation cover onto an A4 (single) sheet of card (or download our helpful Word templates from the top of this page). Leave a space for your rubber stamp - or print a logo or picture if you would rather. We suggest you practice on plain white paper first so you don't waste your card.

Print your invitation insert onto an A4 (single) sheet of paper (or download our helpful Word templates from the top of this page). You will need to cut 5mm off the right edge of the insert and 4mm off the top - so when you fold it in half it will sit neatly inside the cover and not stick out. If you are doing your own and not using our templates - you will need to layout your text off centre to compensate.

Print your reply card so that 4 fit onto 1 sheet of A4 card (again, use our Word templates if you want an easy life!).

Cut the replies into 4 so each card is A6 in size (a guillotine provides the best finish - but scissors or a craft knife are fine if you're careful!)

Print the C6 reply envelopes with your reply address - or stick address labels on if your printer won't take envelopes. Insert each reply card into a reply envelope.

Cut 5mm off the right hand short edge of your inserts - so each page is now 292mm wide (was 297mm). Cut 4mm off the top long edge of your inserts - so each page is now and 206mm deep (was 210mm). Fold each sheet in half so your wording is on the inside of the 'booklet'.

If you are using a rubber stamp - practice on some paper first to check how hard to press and where the middle of the stamp falls. When you are confident, carefully stamp your motif onto the covers of your invitations. Leave to dry for an hour.

For the best finish - use the blunt point or back of a knife and a ruler to score the inside of your covers exactly in half. Now fold along the score for a neat and easy crease.

Draw a line of glue along the inside right crease edge of your cover, then place the insert in place, butting the fold up to the crease. HINT - it helps to hold the front edge of the cover at right angles so you can butt the insert right up to the edge. When in position, smooth the insert over the glue.

Sprinkle some confetti or rose petals inside the invitation card and place inside the large outer envelope - then put the reply envelope with card in as well - behind the invitation. Seal the large outer envelope - but practice first (see below).

Practice a couple of times lighting the wax stick - drip about 10 drips, then take the wax seal (make sure it's the right way up) impress the left side of the seal into the left edge of the melted wax - roll it to the right. Practice will result in the best seals! NOTE - you will never get a perfect seal - this is done by hand and you will always have a wobbly, unsymmetrical finish - this is normal and authentic.

Now do it for real on the back of the envelope join. TIP - when you finish each one - place the wax seal on top of your ice cube - this will keep it cool and stop it sticking. As you take it off the ice cube - dab it on some tissue to take of any excess water.

Other things you can do with this invitation

Silk paintings look amazing - they do take time but if you're an arty type, give it a go. You can buy silk, gutta, pins, brushes, silk paint and frames from most art shops. Set up a frame and draw hearts or stars with the gutta, leave to dry, then paint. Cut the silk into mini pictures and use double sided tape to stick them to the front of the invitation, then outline with gutta.

Tie a bow around the invitation: If you want to finish this invitation with a bow, you don't need to glue in the insert - the ribbon will hold it in place.

You will need 78cms of ribbon for each invitation. We recommend 15mm wide ribbon - and being good at tying bows really helps!

A vellum outer cover looks particularly sophisticated - fix with glue to the outer back edge of the cover - or for the best finish, use a ribbon/bow (see above) or tassels (see below).

Tassels are a great way to embellish your invitations. They are quick and easy to use - just slide over the cover and insert and tighten the tiny plastic slider. Our tassels fit an invitation spine up to 10" or 25cms. A standard A5 folded card invitation will allow a 4cm hang for the tassels.

Use a contrast seal: When sealing your envelopes, you can create a contrast seal by stamping your wax seal onto your ink pad first. This works best with either gold or silver ink in red or blue wax.

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