Quebec - Wax Sealed Manuscript Invitation

Quebec Free Downloadable Templates

Two templates are required to make this invitation; the manuscript invitation and the reply sheet.

Invitation 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 invitation template - and with or without the RSVP address - which means you wouldn't need the reply sheets as well and can save time and cost.

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.

Replies(formal)	A4 personalised invite formal	A4 personalised invite informal
Replies (informal)	A4 personalised invite formal (with rsvp)	A4 personalised invite informal (with rsvp)
A4 cordial invite formal	A4 cordial invite informal
A4 cordial invite formal (with rsvp)	A4 cordial invite informal (with rsvp)
A4 open invite formal	A4 open invite informal
A4 open invite formal (with rsvp)	A4 open invite informal (with rsvp)

Quebec Recipe & Instructions

Ingredients List
Quantity	Description
2 packs	Paper - choose a style & colour
2 packs	C5 Cartridge Envelopes - choose a colour
2 packs	C6 Cartridge Envelopes (for the replies) - choose a colour
1	Wax Seal - choose a design
4	Wax Sticks - choose a colour
1	Ink Pad - choose a colour
1	Rubber Stamp - choose a design
3 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, and a small bowl with an ice cube (no kidding - it comes in handy!).

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Full Instructions:

Print your invitations onto the A4 sheets of paper (you can use our free Word templates from the top of this page if you like). Leave a space for your rubber stamp or print a logo or picture if you would rather (our templates include a space anyway). We suggest you practice on plain white paper first so you don't waste your paper.

Print your reply sheets so that there are 2 on each A4 sheet of paper (again, you can use our Word templates).

Cut the replies in 2 so each sheet is A5 in size (a guillotine provides the best finish - but scissors or a craft knife are fine if you're careful!)

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

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 top of your invitations and reply sheets. Leave to dry for an hour.

Fold each reply sheet in half so that you can see the motif and wording on the outside and then put them into the reply envelopes.

Now fold each invitation so that the top and bottom halves overlap in the middle slightly (overlap by no more than 1cm) - this is the join you will seal with wax.

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 invitation join - make sure it's in the middle! 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.

Sprinkle some confetti or rose petals inside the sealed invitation or envelope for a finishing touch.

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 top of the invitation, then outline with gutta.

Use a contrast seal:
When sealing your invitations, 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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