Choosing Paper for Wedding Invitations: A South Shore Print Shop's Cheat Sheet

Cotton, linen, felt, or smooth? A plain-English guide to invitation paper weights, textures, colors and envelopes from a working print shop.

By We Print Today · Published 2026-07-10

Couples come into our shop with beautiful Etsy or Canva designs and then freeze at one question: "What paper should I print it on?" Here's the short version of the answer we give every week — and what to check before you place your order. When you're ready, you can explore our wedding invitation printing options.

How heavy should wedding invitation paper be?

Invitation paper is usually described by its cover weight in pounds (lb) or by grams per square meter (gsm). Here's how the common cover weights line up:

• 80 lb cover — about 216 gsm. A good choice for RSVP cards, details cards and save-the-dates.
• 100 lb cover — about 270 gsm. Feels substantial in the hand; a popular choice for invitations.
• 110 lb cover — about 297–300 gsm. A noticeably premium feel without being stiff.
• 120 lb cover — about 324–325 gsm. Heavyweight and luxe; may be more than enclosure cards need.
• 130 lb cover — about 350–352 gsm. Very heavy; best saved for the main invitation.

Weight and thickness aren't the same thing. Weight measures how much the paper weighs; thickness (caliper) measures how thick each sheet is. Two papers with the same weight can feel quite different — a soft cotton sheet often feels thicker than a smooth one of the same weight. That's why holding a sample beats reading a number.

The four textures worth knowing

Illustration of smooth, linen and felt surface textures. Ask to see our actual paper samples before you order.

Smooth / uncoated

Clean, timeless, and prints crisp text and fine detail. Works with nearly every design style and is our usual starting point.

Linen

A subtle crosshatch texture that reads as "classic wedding." If your design has very fine hairline elements, look at a printed sample first — the texture can break up thin strokes.

Felt

A deeper, softer texture that's very tactile. Best for minimalist, typographic designs. Heavy ink coverage and dark backgrounds can look uneven on felt, so check a proof.

Cotton

Thick, soft and matte — the premium option. Cotton papers are made for different printing processes, so the right sheet depends on how your invitation will be printed. Some cotton papers are made specifically for digital printing; others suit offset presses. We'll help you choose a cotton stock approved for your job.

White or ivory?

Illustration of the same design on white and ivory paper. Paper color changes how ink colors look.

Paper color changes how your artwork looks. Bright white keeps colors crisp and true to your screen. Ivory and cream feel warmer and more traditional, but they shift colors slightly — whites become cream, blues can look a little greener and blush tones look warmer. If your design has a white background or brand-matched colors, compare both on a printed proof before ordering the full run.

How does the printing method affect paper choice?

Paper has to suit the printing process and the equipment it runs on, so choose paper and printing method together:

• Digital printing — what most couples choose, and what we print in-house in Kingston. It handles photos and color-heavy designs well on a wide range of smooth, linen, felt and digital-ready cotton stocks. We'll steer you to stocks that run well on our equipment.
• Offset printing — a good fit for larger quantities and consistent color across a big run. Some textured and cotton stocks suit offset better than digital, so we'll match the paper to the press.

How much does invitation paper add to the cost?

Rather than quote percentages that vary by supplier, here's the general picture:

• Standard — smooth uncoated cover stock printed digitally. The most budget-friendly choice.
• Upgraded — heavier weights, linen or felt textures, colored stocks or matching envelopes with liners.
• Specialty — cotton papers and other specialty stocks.

Your final price depends on quantity, paper, printing method and finishing. The easiest way to compare options is to request a quote with a couple of paper choices listed.

Choose envelopes with your invitation stock

Pick envelopes at the same time as your paper. Envelope color should complement the invitation — a bright white card in an ivory envelope can look mismatched — and the envelope has to fit your card size with a little room to spare. If you'd like printed return addresses or guest addressing, mention it when you order.

Planning a complete invitation suite

Most suites include a main invitation, an RSVP card and a details card. They don't all need the same paper weight: many couples put the main invitation on a heavier stock and use a lighter cover weight for the enclosures, so the suite isn't too bulky. Keep paper color and texture consistent across every piece so the suite looks coordinated.

Confirm everything with a proof

Before we print your full order, we review your file and send a proof for approval. If you're deciding between papers or worried about color or readability, ask for a printed proof on your chosen stock. It's the best way to check small text, ink colors on ivory and how the texture feels before committing to the full quantity.

Printing a Canva or Etsy design

Most of our wedding customers bring designs from Canva or Etsy. Send a print-ready PDF at your finished size — for example 5×7 — with bleed if your design runs to the edge. Tell us your quantity, the paper you're considering and your needed-by date. We'll check the file and help you pick a suitable paper. Not sure how to export? See our guide to printing wedding invitations from Canva. If your design uses photos or downloaded graphics, check will my image print clearly? before ordering. When your file is ready, send us your invitation artwork.

What we suggest for most couples

For a typical suite from a Canva or Etsy design, a 100 or 110 lb smooth uncoated cover is a reliable starting point: it feels premium and prints crisply. If you'd like a splurge moment, upgrade just the main invitation to linen, felt or cotton and keep the enclosures on a lighter matching stock.

Pick up free at our Kingston shop, or have your order shipped nationwide via UPS. Many standard printing jobs are ready for pickup or shipping within 1–3 business days after proof approval; specialty papers and larger offset runs can take longer, so build that into your timeline.

Bring us your Canva, Etsy, or Pinterest design — we'll help you match it to the right paper and put together a quote. Request a quote for your wedding invitations

Contact We Print Today: Phone 781-585-6021 · Fax: 781-585-8201 · info@weprinttoday.com · 66 Summer Street, Kingston, MA 02364.