There are many traditions upheld down South — the handwritten thank-you note high among them. A proper note on personalized stationery, an embossed invitation — these are social standards that never disappeared, but in the last two decades have has become further fashionable. They are integral rituals in the art of entertaining.
New Orleans is blessed to have multiple outfitters for printing your paper needs for any soiree, but the chief among them is Scriptura –– in business on Magazine Street since 1995. The shop offers custom illustration and exquisite printing on five antique letterpress machines from the early 1900s. They also offer in-house graphic designers and illustrators, alongside sales clerks, to guide hosts in creating memorable events. We sought the wisdom of Scriptura’s co-owner Margaret Jones, on how paperwork ties a gathering all together.
Consider Your Paperwork
The type of event you plan to host will dictate your paper products. A formal dinner before a wedding weekend might necessitate a printed invite, printed menus, name cards and thank-you notes. A quirky outdoor movie night might be better served by an emailed invite, but with the addition of signature cute koozies, adorned with the date and movie title. These not only keep beers cold but double as a gift for your guests. You can add other paper mementos — napkins, to-go cups and party favors, like gorgeous journals. “We can have any wording or illustrations, initials or logo added to items,” says Jones. “Putting the same designs and wording onto several items can really make an event feel cohesive.”
The Rules of Engagement
Your grandmother might be rolling in her grave to know someone invited guests to a wedding over email. Times have changed, though. The line in the sand might seem hazy as to what’s appropriate, and budget, timing and the overall vibe might dictate less formality.
When done properly, Jones advises, an emailed invite can retain a gorgeous, bespoke feel by using illustrations and custom design. They are not tactile, and one does not get the emotion and ritual of tradition with digital.
The door swings both ways, too. Are hefty, paper invites overkill for a six-person gathering on a Tuesday? The answers always depend on the event, and a proper printer can help you get it right.
“Printed invitations are always appropriate,” Jones continues, “but, certain casual get togethers, such as book clubs, are better served by email.”
When to Plan
“We like to first have a meeting on the overall theme of an event,” says Jones, who invites a host or hostess to book an appointment to sit down at Scriptura and go over ideas. She’s able to showcase paper weights, fonts, design possibilities and color schemes, plus discuss projections for pricing. One of your biggest budget requirements will be time. “I advise mailing your paper invites one month before the event,” she says. “So, if you can, meet with a printer two months before that date. This guideline will help you totally avoid any print stress.”
Don’t Fear the Cost
One of the stresses many people have is unnecessary.
“I think people assume printing is going to always be expensive,” she says. “It’s not. If you want to splurge, maybe you do letterpress on heavy weight cotton. But, if you need to control cost, we can print digital. We really can hit any target. I am personally proud of this. And, that we are able to employ and provide a living for the artisans on staff. We are a collaborative team, committed to excellence and the ideal of creating timeless works by hand. We feel extremely fortunate to do what we love in a city that encourages a sense of wonder and enjoyment.”
