As designers, we’ve all experienced a client calling to say they need an invitation done RIGHT NOW. Not tomorrow, not overnight, but RIGHT NOW!
Here is a solution which will allow you print on one side only, using a text or bond weight paper — and still deliver an elegant result.
A FRENCH FOLD is an 8.5 x 11 sheet that is folded in half vertically, and then folded in half horizontally, allowing a letter size sheet to fold down to 4.25″ x 5.5″ — the perfect enclosure to an A-2 (square flap) or a 5-1/2 Baronial (pointed flap) envelope (4-3/8″ x 5-3/4″).
Print the front and inside of the invitation on a single side of an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper. Run it off on your laser printer, fold and insert into the envelope. No scoring required. You can use any text weight paper for this invitation; Limited Papers carries a plethora of fine papers which will all yield a superb result.
Historically, the French Fold dates back to the Middle Ages when invitations were produced by calligraphy. The paper would blot up the ink, and two-sided ‘printing’ wasn’t practical. With the advent of engraving in the 17th century the French Fold maintained its popularity as the process leaves an impression on the other side of the paper. Even as we have progressed to other technologies such as letterpress, offset lithography, and laser printing, the French Fold has retained its advantages.
Share your Invitation designs with the Limited Papers Design Community.