It can be difficult to choose your stationery with so many different options available. Ordering a sample is a great way to show you the quality, colours and style so that you can make up your mind. We offer 3 different types of sample from a simple generic sample through to a fully personalised, printed sample. We’ll assemble the invitation set for you and even tie it up with a sleeve or twine & tag.

TYPE OF SAMPLE
GENERIC SAMPLE: A generic sample is to show you the size, quality, style and colour of your chosen invitation set. We do not personalise them in any way and you will receive a sample as shown in the images, but with your selected options such as card type. There is no need to send us any details. We’ll dispatch your sample as soon as possible, usually within 1 or 2 working days.

ELECTRONIC SAMPLE: Perhaps you’ve had a Generic Sample already and are happy with the quality but would now like to see what your information would look like in your chosen design. Perhaps you need to have the design tweaked? Then this is the option for you! We create electronic proofs of your chosen invitation combination. You can make changes to your proofs until you are happy with them (within reason) for up to 10 days at which point the order will be closed. We are always happy to make changes and update proofs but if you change your mind and would like a different design, please order a new Electronic Sample. If we don’t hear back from you, we will presume that you were happy with the most recent proofs. Please note that an electronic sample is not suitable for printing at home. It is purely for you to see what your information will look like in your chosen design.

PERSONALISED SAMPLE: A personalised sample is a great way to take you through the whole process of creating your perfect invitation from ordering through to receiving the finished product in the post. Choose from the available options and then let us know if you’d like additional options. Check out the main product page for ideas. Send us all the information you would like to have printed on your cards such as gift message, RSVP, menu options, directions etc. You can have any information you like printed on your cards. You can choose to have printing on the back of cards, personalised guest names, an RSVP envelope and even an additional large card if you have a lot of information to send to your guests. We’ll draw up electronic proofs for you and you have plenty of time to make any amendments. When you’re happy with the proofs we’ll send them to print and you will receive the finished, printed invitation set in the post. Your Personalised Sample can be for any event.

If we do not hear back from you for 4 weeks from the date of placing your Personalised Sample Order, we reserve the right to print and dispatch the sample without your approval.

NOTE: Please note that if your sample includes a tag & sticker, the printed versions will not be personalised even though your proofs will show them as personalised. It is not cost effective to print single tags & stickers and you will receive those shown in the listing photographs.

PROOFS: All proofs are shown on a white background irrespective of your chosen card type. Please always read any annotations on your proofs with regards to card colour, size and quantity.

CARD COLOUR: We have tried and tested many card types and the 3 we have available are the best. Our smooth white and ivory card is 330gsm. The lightly textured, premium, cream card is 350gsm and noticeably thicker. Its pale, creamy colour gives a softer look than white, and it adds a real touch of luxury to any design.

SLEEVE/TAG: Choose to have a tag & twine, or just twine, to tie your gatefold neatly together. Or you can opt for a personalised sleeve. All *tags come with twine. All sleeves come with blank matt stickers as standard (gloss or transparent on request). Matching round sleeve *stickers are available in matt, gloss, or transparent. If you do not specify, they will be matt.

*Please note that if your sample includes a tag & sticker, the printed versions will not be personalised even though your proofs will show them as personalised. It is not cost effective to print single tags & stickers and you will receive those shown in the listing photographs.

Sleeves will be printed onto smooth white paper as standard if you select Premium 350gsm Cream Textured card! If you would prefer the sleeve to be ivory, please let us know when ordering.

ENVELOPE OPTIONS
ENVELOPE COLOUR:  Kraft brown envelopes are included as standard. Other colours are available for a small surcharge. Just click on the colour you would like. We’ve searched for a long time to find the best quality envelopes at affordable prices and are really happy with what we now stock. If you do need a different colour, let us know and we’ll see what we can find.

MATCHING STICKER TO SEAL YOUR ENVELOPE: A matching sticker for your envelopes gives a hint of what’s to come. Choose from matt heart stickers, or round matt, gloss, or transparent stickers. You choose what goes on the sticker.

RSVP OPTIONS
RSVP ENVELOPE: RSVP envelopes are mini C7 in size

RSVP ENVELOPE COLOUR: Kraft brown is our standard range or you can select one of the other colours for a small surcharge.

RSVP ENVELOPE LINER: We can create matching envelopes liners to fit into your RSVP envelopes. We will create them to match the invitation design, but you can of course choose any other design to compliment your invites. Just let us know when ordering. You can have them loose so that you glue them in yourself, or you can opt for us to do that for you.

YOUR TEXT
This is where you can write any notes about your order. If you feel it’s too much to put all the information in here, feel free to email it to us afterwards at your convenience. Please don’t send information for a Generic Sample as these will not be personalised/changed in any way.

Approximate Card & Envelope Sizes:
Invite - Square (approx. 14.1cm x 14.1cm)
RSVP/Gift Message/Info/Menu Card – A7 (approx. 10.5cm x 7.4cm)
Envelope for invite - approx. 15.3cm x 15.3cm
*RSVP Envelope – C7 (approx. 11.3cm x 8cm)

C7 envelope fits an A7 card

*Please note that C7 envelopes cannot be personaliseD

Choose the type of sample you would like to receive. Either include the information for your cards with the order or email it to us afterwards at your convenience. There is no need to send any information if ordering a Generic Sample as it will not be changed in any way.

Once we receive your order a member of our design team will create electronic proofs using the information you have supplied, usually within 2 working days. The proofs will be emailed to you. Unlike many companies, we do not limit the number of changes you can make to your proofs within reason. Once you are happy with them, let us know and we will send them to print or, in the case of an electronic sample, close the order out. Nothing goes to print without your approval. If after placing an order you haven’t heard from us within 3 working days, please get in touch.

We normally print personalised samples within 2 - 4 working days after you have approved any proofs. The whole process normally takes around a week plus delivery time depending on the product and whether amendments are made to the proofs. Generic Samples are usually dispatched within 1 or 2 working days.

After you have approved your proof, we aim to dispatch your order within 4 - 15 working days, depending on your product type (please see individual product details for dispatch times). Samples are usually dispatched within 1 - 3 working days. Shipping times may vary due to bank holidays or during busy periods.

Royal Mail 2nd Class postage and a standard courier takes between 3-5 working days.  
Royal Mail 1st Class postage takes 2 – 3 working days.
*Next Day Delivery takes 1 or 2 working days (weekends & holidays excluded). 

*Next Day Options are only available for UK mainland. Please contact us separately for shipping to Northern Ireland or any of the other islands or highlands.
If you require any other shipping such as Express or shipping abroad then please contact us separately for a quote.

FAST TRACK ORDERS
*If you choose to add Priority Processing to your order, it will jump to the front of the queue and take priority. We will make sure that your order is processed as quickly as possible from proofs through to printing and dispatch. We will aim to prepare your proofs within 1 or 2 days and will also endeavour to dispatch your order within 1 – 2 full working days from approving your proofs. 
Please contact us for availability before placing your order.
Please note that your order will still be dispatched using whichever shipping method you choose during checkout. We recommend selecting our Next Day delivery service (UK mainland only. Weekends & holidays excluded).