The Custom Stationery Process:
What’s it like to work together?
Katie Stack Studio is a full service design studio, specializing in custom wedding stationery with hand drawn artwork. There are four main steps to process: Inquire, Custom Artwork & Design, Professional Printing, and Assembly & Mailing.
1 | Inquire
Use the form below to share your wedding date and a few details. I’ll be in touch, and we can continue the conversation over email or a phone call.
Most couples book custom stationery 8-12 months before their wedding date.
2 | Custom Design & Artwork
Once your date is reserved, we begin the design process. I’ll guide you through design choices as I craft your custom stationery and artwork. You’ll receive digital proofs and mock-ups to ensure every detail matches your vision.
Learn more about this process in Step 2 below.
3 | Professional Printing & Production
When you invest in custom artwork, it should be printed on the best materials. Every detail of your suite is professionally printed to ensure the highest quality.
Printing can extend beyond paper products, such as wax seals, matchboxes, and even pocket squares with your custom artwork.
4 | Assembly & Mailing
You’re planning a wedding. You are busy, and you are engaged for only a short time. You don’t need to spend one of those precious engaged weekends sealing envelopes, tying 150 ribbons, figuring out postage, and running to the post office, just to be told your postage is incorrect.
As a full-service studio, I also offer assemble and mail your invitations for you.
Scroll through the page below for an in-depth look at the actual design process for some whimsical Save the Dates.
1 | Inquire
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Inquiry Form
The first step is to reach out via the inquiry form. You will receive a follow up email where you can share additional information.
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Design Board & Package Options
Next you will receive a complimentary design board, along with 3 package options tailored to your budget.
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Book Your Date to Work Together!
After reviewing the design board and package options, you can reserve your spot on my calendar.
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Welcome Box
Soon after booking, you will receive your Welcome Box in the mail to kick off the design process.
2 | Custom Design & Artwork
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First Sketches
I’ll jump right into my sketchbook and begin sketching ideas that match your wedding aesthetic.
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Brainstorming the Overall Suite Design
Next we begin thinking about how your entire suite will come together. We think about different shapes of cards, envelope colors, ribbons, etc… I will create sketches to help you visualize your designs.
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Presenting Initial Design Ideas
You will be presented with multiple sketches and design ideas. You can request edits and changes on these until we are ready to go to color.
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Choosing the Final Design
Once the final sketch is approved, we are ready to move to the color phase.
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Painting & Artwork Creation
All of your artwork is created in house by Katie Stack Studio. Depending on your wedding aesthetic, artwork can be created with watercolor, gouache, or ink.
3 | Professional Printing & Production
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Curating Details
Your suite is more than artwork. All the details, such as envelope color, custom wax seals, vintage stamps, and ribbon transform your invitation into a work of art. We spend time curating the perfect details.
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Digital Proofs
Next you will be presented with multiple rounds of digital mock-ups. We tweak the design until you’re 100% in love with the all the details.
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Printing & Production
Once everything has been approved, your invitation suite will be professionally printed. It takes 4 weeks to receive all the items from various vendors.
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Quality Control
As items begin arriving, every card, wax seal, etc… will be checked to ensure it is of highest quality.
4 | Assembly & Mailing
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Assembly
Ribbons are cut, wax seals are attached, and each invitation is meticulously transformed into a work of art.
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Mailing
Finally, your invitations are hand delivered to USPS. Their final stop is the mailbox of each of your guests.
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What happens next?
We can discuss working together for Day-of Items, such as menus, napkins, matchbooks, or any other items.
Either way, you will receive a Keepsake Box a few weeks before your wedding. It will have the original artwork and keepsake copies of your stationery, assembled beautifully, and ready to be photographed on your wedding day.
