Before You Order Online
Avoid Flimsy Invitations
Not all invitations are created equal. Before you order from an online store, here’s what to look for — in the paper, the printing, and the envelopes — so your invitation looks and feels as special as the day it announces.
A 20lb. envelope is so thin the invitation inside shows right through it.
Sign of Quality #1
paper weight matters
Weight is often the very first sign of a professional invitation — you can feel the difference the moment you hold it.
Home Printer
67–70lb.
Home printers can’t handle heavy stock, so invitations come out lighter and less sturdy — and printed text may fade over time.
Professional Press
130lb.+
Heavy cardstock runs only on professional presses. The result: crisp, sharp detail, accurate color (your pink stays pink, not blue), and a piece that feels substantial in hand.
Sign of Quality #2
don’t overlook the envelopes
The envelope is the very first thing your guests see — it sets the tone before they ever open it.
Envelopes come with every invitation at no additional cost, but they’re just as important as the card inside. We recommend at least 80lb. — heavier envelopes feel sturdy and refined, hold up through mailing, and keep the invitation from showing through. Lightweight envelopes (like 20lb.) can feel flimsy and quietly cheapen the whole presentation.
What We Found When We Tested
the trouble with the wrong envelope
Stick with white or ecru, and avoid glossy, shimmery, or dark finishes. Here’s what goes wrong when you don’t — tested in our own studio.
Glossy & Shimmery
the ink won’t stick
A UV coating looks pretty but stops ink from absorbing — so addresses smudge or wipe right off, whether printed or handwritten.
Laser Printing
the heat melts the glue
Run a coated envelope through a laser printer and the heat can melt the flap glue, leaving visible lines and marks on the front.
Shimmer Coatings
the varnish marks up
That silver shimmer is a UV varnish that scuffs and marks easily. A matte grey looks more elegant and reads clearly for the mail carrier.
And dark colors? Postal workers and sorting machines struggle to read addresses on dark envelopes, which can delay — or even prevent — delivery. Lighter shades like white and ecru keep things safe and elegant.
The Detail That Gives It Away
hand-lined vs. unfinished liners
Even a lined envelope can feel cheap if the lining is cut short. Here’s the difference.
Hand-Lined · Ours
lined all the way down
Our liners are inserted and glued the full length of the envelope. Beyond looking beautiful, a lined envelope is noticeably heavier and more substantial in hand — adding to the quality of the invitation itself.
Unfinished · Watch Out
lined just half an inch
Many “lined” envelopes have a liner that stops about half an inch from the top. It still looks flimsy, and the invitation can show right through.
The Cohen Standard
quality you can feel
We hold every order to the standard we’d want for our own celebration — no flimsy shortcuts, ever.
130lb. cardstock
Press-printed on premium heavy stock for crisp detail and true color.
80lb. envelopes
Sturdy Mohawk Euro Flap envelopes in white or ecru — no show-through.
lined to the bottom
Hand-lined envelopes with real colored paper, full length, never cut short.