National Wedding Invitation Providers

More than 500 companies print invitations. Here's a look at some of the best-known national brands that you should be able to find at your local printer or stationer.

William Arthur
This collection of thermographed invitations offers a sophisticated and classic look for brides who want an alternative to the plain, traditional invitation. With a variety of unique type styles and card-type designs, Arthur's line runs $197 to $277 per 100 invitations ($302 to $462 for 200 invitations). Return-address printing is included in that price -- a nice plus. The customer service is excellent, according to stationers we interviewed. "They're in a class by themselves," one told us, adding that their shipping (only five business days) is reliable. One- and two-day rush service is also available.

For a dealer near you who carries William Arthur, call (207) 985-6581.


Carlson Craft
One of the largest invitation printers in the country, Carlson Craft has a wide selection. The thermography is good quality, and the 100 percent cotton (40-pound) paper designs are a good buy at $150 per 100 invitations.

For a dealer near you who carries Carlson Craft, call (800) 328-1782.


Chase Paper
From plain traditional to glitzy contemporary, Chase Paper has a wide selection of unique papers. The quality of the thermography is top-notch, according to our stationery sources. Prices run $60 to $140 per 100 invitations. Even the lower-priced options are good quality. Shipping takes about three weeks.

For a dealer near you who carries Chase, call (508) 366-4441.


Checkerboard Invitations
Checkerboard's sample book features a wide assortment of designer invitations. You can even mix and match type styles, something most printers won't let you do. We saw designs with splattered ink, Mylar prisms and marbled paper. Checkerboard even has several recycled paper designs. Funky envelope linings complete the looks. Prices range from $59 to $169 per 100 invitations.

For a dealer near you who carries Checkerboard, call (508) 835-2475.


Embossed Graphics
If you're planning a large wedding, Embossed Graphics is a good choice. The company has great prices for large quantities of invitations. For example, 400 invitations from Embossed Graphics costs just $246. While the styles and extra options are limited, the heavy paper is good-quality. Another good buy is the one-time $19.50 to $27 fee to print your return address on back flaps. The only negative: Embossed Graphics is slow to ship some orders.

For a dealer near you who carries Embossed Graphics, call (713) 667-0031.


Encore
We have found some of the most wonderful papers in Encore's catalog, ranging from elegant taffeta moire to pearlized satins. If you want to match the flowers you'll be using in your wedding, Encore offers incredible embossed lilies, roses and more on textured papers and card stock. All invitations are thermographed, and a wide variety of ink colors is available. The cost ranges from $169 to $549 for 100 invitations. The average order falls in the range of $230 to $240. Encore's new Classic Collection features engraved invitations on 100 percent cotton papers.

For a dealer near you who carries Encore, call (800) 526-0497.


Pacific Thermographers
Pacific Thermographers offers great printing on incredibly heavy paper for down-to-earth prices: $90 to $150 for 100 invitations. Style #357 features either a single- or triple-panel design for just $90 per 100 -- a great buy for this 80-pound stock. With both stylized and traditional paper designs, Pacific Thermographers is a good buy.

For a dealer near you who carries Pacific Thermographers, call (800) 423-5071.