How to choose wedding invitation paper: weight, texture and finish
In short
For wedding invitations, 300gsm is the practical standard: substantial in the hand and still light enough to post economically. Coated silk gives the brightest colour, uncoated gives the softest feel, and textured stocks give the most luxurious impression per pound spent.
- gsm means grams per square metre — 300gsm is roughly four times the weight of office paper.
- Foil sits best on smooth or lightly textured stocks; heavily felt-marked papers can break the foil line on fine type.
- Envelope weight matters for postage — a heavy suite with several inserts can tip into a higher Royal Mail band.
- Paper Meadows prints on eleven stocks from 110gsm vellum to 350gsm Colorplan.
Start with weight
Below 250gsm an invitation feels flimsy in the hand. 300gsm is the standard we recommend for invitations and save the dates. 350gsm Colorplan Bright White is worth the step up for a formal, black tie suite. Vellum overlays at 110gsm are deliberately light, because they sit on top of something else.
Then choose the surface
| Stock | Weight | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Silk | 300gsm | Smooth coated silk with crisp, vibrant colour |
| Coral Book Uncoated | 300gsm | Natural uncoated feel with a soft, matte finish |
| Colorplan Bright White | 270 / 350gsm | Luxury bright white with a subtle texture |
| Colorplan Natural | 270gsm | Warm off-white, beautifully tactile |
| Tintoretto Gesso | 300gsm | Lightly embossed, gallery-paper feel |
| Splendorgel Avorio Cream | 300gsm | Elegant ivory tone, ideal for foiling |
| Colorplan Harvest (Kraft) | 270gsm | Rustic kraft shade for relaxed suites |
| Nettuno Bianco Artico | 300gsm | Deeply felt-marked artisan paper |
| Conqueror CX22 | 320gsm | Classic business-quality bright white |
| Nautilus Classic Recycled | 300gsm | 100% recycled with a natural character |
| Cromatico Vellum | 110gsm | Translucent vellum for wraps and overlays |
Finishing choices
- Foil — gold, rose gold, silver or copper. Best reserved for names and the date.
- Rounded corners — 3mm for a subtle softening, 6mm for a distinctly informal look.
- Envelope printing — guest addresses printed directly onto the envelope, £0.20 each, and a considerable saving in handwriting time.
- Vellum wraps — a translucent layer over the invitation, usually tied or wax sealed.
Sample first
Paper is the one part of a wedding suite you cannot judge on a screen. A sample pack lets you compare weight, texture and how your colours behave on each surface before you commit to a full run.
Common questions
What gsm should wedding invitations be?
300gsm is the standard for invitations and save the dates. 350gsm suits a formal suite; anything below 250gsm feels flimsy in the hand.
Coated or uncoated paper for wedding invitations?
Coated silk keeps colour bright and crisp and suits photographic or vivid designs. Uncoated is softer, warmer and more tactile, and suits muted, natural palettes.
Can you print guest addresses on the envelopes?
Yes — guest address printing is £0.20 per envelope and is available on all our envelope colours.
How many paper stocks do you offer?
Eleven, ranging from 110gsm Cromatico vellum to 350gsm Colorplan Bright White.
Ask the studio
We print every order ourselves in Fordingbridge. If you would like colour advice for your venue and flowers, send us the details — jo@time2display.co.uk or 01425 654908.
Keep reading
- Wedding colour palettes for 2026 (and the stationery that suits them)
Ten wedding colour palettes for 2026, the paper stocks, envelope colours and foils that suit each one, and how to keep your stationery consistent across the suite.
- Wedding stationery timeline: what to send and when
When to send save the dates, invitations, RSVPs and on-the-day stationery in the UK, how many to order, and how long proofing and printing take at Paper Meadows.