Stores like Kinkos or UPS store might offer some baisc options with stock invitations, but they’re limited by the corporations that control the franchises, and you may be disappointed with the selection.  A locally owned, mom & pop style print shop is likely to offer you the personal service you need, creative ideas for custom Quinceanera invitations, and they’ll work with you on meeting your deadlines.

Short run printing jobs are easier than ever these days, and the quality is generally very good.  Sometimes a little testing is needed if your paper stock is unusual, but again, the locally owned print shop can help.

So if you want to avoid having to order your invitations 3 months or more in advance, try your locally owned printer.  If you need a referral, try a wedding planner in your area.  Not only will you be supporting your local economy, you’ll also get quality, custom quinceanera invitations.

Ann at Stamperdog.com highlighted this Quinceanera invitation made by a girl in Puerto Rico.  It’s a top-fold card with a decorative side ribbon.  Colorful, yet simple, with a unique pop up feature inside!

Another great one was done by Connie, a Stampin Up demonstrator at Constantly Stamping.  Connie has clearly done this kind of thing before and while I won’t speak for any of you, she’s got more artistic talent in her pinky than I have in in my whole body (most people do…).   This one is also a top-fold style and uses a pink and chocolate color theme very nicely to make an elegant Quinceanera invitation.  She adds some color, shimmer, and even rhinestones to make this one sparkle.  The ribbons are part of the layered design, and help make this invitation a real keepsake.

Melissa at instampingmode.com used the same stamp to make a Quinceanera card, but could easily be used as an invitation.  She customized the color to match the green colors of the dress and celebration, and also added a ribbon, flower, and a button for accent.

Lisa from Peanuts and Peppers, another Stampin Up demonstrator, made this one in pink.

From Yvonne’s Stamping Place, Yvonne used the stamp in a stair step design to demontrate this Quinceanera invitation.  She describes in detail all the materials she used to make this invitation on her blog.

There are lots of ways to take a DIY approach to your Quinceanera invitations.  Let me know if you have pictures of your own Quinceanera invitations that you either made yourself or customized to fit your theme.

This DIY (do-it-yourself) approach can bring a touch of unique elegance to a  at an affordable price, especially if you already have stamping supplies.  Even if you don’t, the cost savings over a large number of invitations can justify the expense.  That being said, your Quinceanera is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you want your Quinceanera invitations to be just right.  It’s not the time to start experimenting, especially if you’re not the artistic type.  If you don’t have stamping experience or supplies, yet you want to create stamped Quinceanera invitations, your best bet may  to recruit the help of a friend with experience.

Of course there are other options that don’t involve the stamping route.  Your local crafts store will have a good variety of card stock – all types, textures, and colors.  Add some velum, ribbons, or other types of “bling”, and you have everything you need to create beautiful Quinceanera invitations.  You can do the layout on your computer using a nice font for elegance.  If the print and graphics are simple, your home printer may be sufficient.  Your local print store can be very useful in providing better print quality than you may be be able to get at home.

Get your family or damas to help you with assembly.  Once you do one, the other 199 are a breeze!

There are lots of options in selecting your Quinceanera invitations, and you probably have some ideas of what you’d like. While professionally designed and produced invitations an ensure an elegant look, making your own invitations lets you express your unique style. You may be able to save some money too.

Your options on the verse itself are wide open. The verse may be on behalf of just your parents, or it may include yourself. Will it will be Spanish or English, or both? Will it emphasize the religious aspect? What words will you use?

When you get in it, you realize that the options for your Quinceanera invitations seem endless. You’ll get to choose the style of the invitations, the number of pieces in the set, and the color of paper, envelopes, and vellum (what’s up with vellum?). You can select both the style and color of the text, or font. Some girls include their portrait on the invitations. Will you make your own or order professional sets? How many will you need? Who will you invite? You can even choose the color of the lining or the envelopes!

But don’t stress over all the choices. Take advantage of the opportunity to bond with your family and come up with something you’ll love. Your Quinceanera invitations not only announce your special day, but the right one can become a treasured keepsake.

Start with the paper selection.  Art supply stores and craft shops are great places to find beautiful paper for your Quinceanera invitations.  With all the colors available, remember to consider the color of your ink and how it will show up on the paper.  Consider choosing paper the same color as your gown or other part of your theme.  The texture is also important.  Many papers, while beautiful, will not hold ink well, and may cause your printer to jam.  Specialty art stores are likely to be able to help you select an appropriate stock.  Find a couple options that will work, and buy just a sample to test before buying a large quantity.  Also, there’s nothing wrong at all with traditional card stock.  Blank invitations can be found at craft stores, and often include envelopes. In fact, Amazon offers a beatiful set of stock cards that allow you to print your own Quinceanera invitations.

Use your computer to design the content.  Many software applications such as MS Word, have built-in card templates that can be useful.  Often, Quinceanera invitations include a photo of the girl.  If you choose this route, you may want to use a head shot.  If you’ll be wearing a formal gown and have it at this point, a full photo of yourself in the gown is appropriate.  You can also find elegant art on the Internet that may be used beautifully.  Try a search on “free clip art” for a start.  You may even find something specific to a Quinceanera celebration.  The verse, or wording,  is up to you but will almost always be on behalf of the parents or the girl and parents together.  Include a poem or short biblical verse if you have the space, but don’t try to cram too much on the page.

You can also add some ornamentation to your Quinceanera invitations if you like.  Ribbons, lace, or a small bit of other material may be added for a touch of elegance and creativity.  Again, browse your local art supply or craft stores for ideas.

Depending on how creative you want to be, making your own Quinceanera invitations can be time consuming.  Try requesting help from family members (as long as they promise not to smear chocolate on the paper!).  They’ll likely be pleased to help and honored that you asked.  In the end, you’ll have beautiful Quinceanera invitations you can be proud of, your family can share in the process, and you’ve saved a bundle as well!.