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A larger invitation size is a beautiful option if you'd prefer more openness and space around your invitation artwork, or if you're searching for a slightly more substantial feel than our traditional invitation size of 5.125 x 7. We offer several choices:

THE F-8 INVITATION SIZE + OUR WHITE OR IVORY BELLA ENVELOPES: You can pair our exclusive, ultra-thick Bella envelopes with a larger, European-inspired sized invitation. This classy invitation size is 6.125 x 8.125 (F-8) when using inner and outer envelopes, or 6.25 x 8.375 (F-8+) if using a single invitation envelope. Our class A Bella envelopes were created just for us so they are perfect for letterpress printing!

THE A-9 INVITATION SIZE + OUR COLORFUL STELLA ENVELOPES: These are class B envelopes with a modern pointed flap, available in a wide variety of colors. In this instance, the invitation size would increase to an A-9 (8.5 x 5.5). These envelopes are not available in inner/outer envelope sizes.

A LARGER SQUARE INVITATION: Using our exclusive Bella envelopes (class A), you can make an impression both modern and substantial with our 7.25 square invitations. Available in white and ivory, the larger square envelopes also work perfectly with a pocketfold (see The Amy design for an example). Our square envelopes are not available in inner/outer sizes at this time.

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Because letterpress inks aren't always legible on darker envelopes, letterpress address labels can offer the perfect solution if you'd like to use a dark envelope color. In place of printing on the envelope flaps or on the front of your envelopes, we'll print sophisticated self-adhesive address labels for you. We'll design your letterpress labels so they'll blend seamlessly with your set. Please note that because labels are printed on label stock, the letterpress impression will be subtle. We include an extra 10% of address labels for your peace of mind -- though, if using calligraphy with your labels, you may wish to purchase additional quantities (check with your calligrapher!).

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Who said an envelope needs to be only functional? Turn your envelope into a lyrical work of art by adding a second color to its printing. A second ink on an envelope offers a chance to embellish--to add illustration to what is usually an all-type and practical affair. Certain designs, such as Guild, offer a standard 2-color envelope printing. But we're happy to add an inspired second color to any envelope of a 2-color set. View a photo of a 2-color reply card envelope from "Guild."

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Originally reserved for the finest hand-bound books, edge painting has a rich history in the world of letterpress printing. For centuries, master book binders would gild the edges of books with gold--or paint an actual illustration on the edge of the book's pages---to show the world just how precious a particular book was. We've put a modern spin on this practice by hand painting the edge of our invitations, reply cards, or any piece in a design's suite with our Bella inks. You'll see the color on the outside edge of the piece, but not on the front or back of the paper. Because the cotton paper we print on is so thick, edge painting can be a great way to highlight a color in your invitation set -- or add an entirely new ink! Edge painting works on any design that doesn't bleed off the page; ask us if you have questions if a particular design can be edge painted.

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Why shouldn't the back of your invitations also have beauty, color, and its own elegant energy? We can back any pieces in your set with solid colors or a pattern that harmonize with your invitation design. Check out our Vignette design to see an invitation that is fashionably backed with offset printed patterns. You can choose your backing from any of our colorful Bella inks, or contact us for a backing pattern for your design. We are delighted to help!

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HOLE DRILLING: We can drill crisp & clean holes in program covers, at the top of menus, in the corners of welcome tags or gift tags -- anywhere you'd like to thread a ribbon or string!

HOLE DRILLING + GROMMETING: The ultimate in cool class and elegance. We'll drill a hole in a piece and then hand-grommet the hole in either a silver or brass grommet to create the superlative keepsake. You can choose between a .125" or .25" grommet, depending on how thick the string or ribbon is that you'll be threading through the grommet. A .125" grommet can accommodate up to a 3/8" ribbon or string; a .25" grommet can accommodate up to a .5" ribbon.

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Monograms are miniature worlds of art onto themselves. They can be whimsically elaborate or breathtakingly simple, and--like the best works of art--they're also meaningful! They're a visual way of showing how beautifully intertwined a bride and groom become after marriage. We're happy to work with press-ready monograms that you supply. If you need a monogram, we also recommend Monogram Inc., who does exquisite work; our calligrapher Debi Zeinert, available for calligraphy monograms; or, if you'd like a monogram based on type, our designers can create a clean typographic monogram for you that incorporates seamlessly into your invitation design.

For etiquette fans: if a bride plans to change her last name, traditionally the monogram that makes use of her new last name is used only on pieces displayed at the reception or used afterwards (items such as menus, place cards, or thank you cards sent after the wedding). Traditionally, a monogram used on the invitation set would incorporate the bride's and groom's first initials, or the bride's initials, or a shared initial of the bride's and groom's last name. That said, we've printed gorgeous and elegant invitation sets featuring the couple's monogram-to-be on the invitation. How you use your monogram depends on how comfortable you are following or straying from traditional etiquette.

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We can letterpress print invitations in Hebrew, Vietnamese, Spanish, Greek, or any other language. Often we'll print one invitation in English and a separate invitation in the other language. Or we can combine the English and other language onto the same invitation.

You can e-mail us your text as a Word document, noting where line breaks should be, and we'll handle the layout. If your text is unavailable in a Word document the following will be helpful:

USING A PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATION SERVICE: The translation service that we use is ASET Translation Services, where their professional translators have a minimum of 10 years of experience and three different translators will check over your text. They also work directly with our design files and create a layout that is in harmony with our Bella Figura designs. Translation prices begin (roughly) at about $500 for a 4-piece set (invitation, reply card, invitation envelope, reply card envelope) -- additional pieces would be billed at $65/hour for design time. Revisions to the design are between $65-$200 a revision. This will add 1 week to your turnaround.

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