Super easy/cheap DIY for return addresses

[cassiopeia]

Hey gals,
So I wanted to do something a little fancier than running the outer envelopes through the printer but really couldn't afford having them printed nicely. So I got from VistaPrint (LOVE VP) a free self inking return address stamp in black, some clear embossing powder (but obviously you could use any color) and embossed them. It took me about 2hrs to do 130 envelopes and cost was about $3s&h for the stamp and $4 for the embossing powder, and they totally look like thermography printing!
I'll post pics later but I'm sure you can get the idea. The project time would probably be cut in half if there was one person stamping and the other doing the powder, but I had to do both so there was a lot of back and forth. :laugh:

[Scrwballsgrl]

that sounds like a really nice idea, i still dont know exactly what our invitations are going to look like but I have decided instead of rsvp cards Im gonna print up some "post cards" with something wedding related or unique to our wedding and put those in with the invites for the guest to send back, b/c I'm thinking postcards have cheaper postage than responses w/envelopes etc. what do ya think?

[brendalin]

Thanks for the great tip! Can't wait to see pictures! I love VP too!!!

[smileyone2002]

I want pictures!!! :bblol:

[katrina7875]

This sounds great! I just ordered a stamp for myself. Thanks for the idea. I was going to buy clear address labels and print my own return address labels, but I like this idea better. Plus I love to emboss and I already have black embossing powder. Now I can't wait for my stamp to start trying it out! Thanks again for the tip! :bblol:

[cassiopeia]

that sounds like a really nice idea, i still dont know exactly what our invitations are going to look like but I have decided instead of rsvp cards Im gonna print up some "post cards" with something wedding related or unique to our wedding and put those in with the invites for the guest to send back, b/c I'm thinking postcards have cheaper postage than responses w/envelopes etc. what do ya think?
I did postcards too (I just posted pics and how I did it, here (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?p=244961). I also used Vista Print for this and I think it's a great way to save some $ on postage. Postage rates go up on May 12, btw, so people should buy Forever Stamps before then!), I think it's a great idea ;)

Here are the pics of the return addresses:
lined up ready for heat:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e11/chultin/DIY/RetAddress1.jpg
close up, with powder before heat:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e11/chultin/DIY/RetAddress2.jpg
embossed:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e11/chultin/DIY/RetAddress3.jpg

I got a little sloppy as the night went on, I was tired and a little bored, and I got a little careless about tapping the envelopes to make sure all the excess powder was off, so you can see little bits where more than just the the stamped letters got embossed, but you really can't tell from normal distance.

I LOVE embossing! Hehe, it's my new favorite thing. I'm so glad someone thought this was a good idea. The only thing that is at all difficult is making sure the stamp is centered on the envelope. Also, when you get the stamp in the mail you attach the actual stamp part to the inkwell, try to make sure you get it on there perfectly straight; mine was a little crooked and I had to compensate every time I stamped with it.

[NOTKT]

Those look amazing!

[cinderellasmom]

Embossing powder makes everything look better! Totally love the idea!!

[BrideInCuffs21]

They're beautiful... I am definately going to o embossing on my invites!!!! Ill have to check out vista prints too.....

[FFC]

Fantastic idea!!! They look great too!

[brendalin]

Those turned out really great! Nice work!

[smileyone2002]

wow that looks great! Good job :)