The Collection Guide will help you navigate our Semi-Custom Collection process and the customization options available. Please read and refer to this guide while preparing to submit your invitation order.
ABOUT OUR PAPER AND PRINTING
Lime & Lily is committed to bringing you superior quality invitations using timeless printing methods on the best papers.
Our luxury stock is a specially milled cotton composite from Arzberger. It is decidedly thicker than standard social cards and envelopes in the wedding marketplace. I chose to work with Arzberger after a bride sent me some of their envelopes for her invitation calligraphy. Not only was it the nicest paper I’d ever held in my hand, it was also the most gorgeous I’d ever written on for pointed pen calligraphy. I immediately asked where she had gotten the luxurious envelopes. After some research into their company, I contacted Arzberger and am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to team up with them as a paper and printing partner. Click here to find out more about their craftsmanship, outstanding customer service and top of the line paper and printing.
PAPER SELECTIONS
Our standard stock for digital printing is a single-ply eggshell paper. Eggshell paper creates a subtle textured finish. Single-ply is a substantial, 120# paper. We also offer double-ply which is a 240# paper, twice the thickness of single-ply.
Our luxury stock for engraving, letterpress, foil, and thermography is a single-ply, specially milled cotton composite made by Arzberger. The paper is soft to the touch and has a beautiful but smooth texture. Single-ply is an elegant 165# paper. We also offer double-ply which is a 330# paper, twice the thickness of single-ply.
Eggshell White Paper (Digital Printing)
Single-Ply vs. Double-Ply Paper Thickness
Specially Milled Arzberger White Cotton Paper (Engraving, Letterpress, Foil, & Thermography)
PRINTING METHODS
DIGITAL PRINTING
Digital Printing prints artwork smoothly to the paper, with no raised or indented impression. If you run your fingers over it, you’ll only feel the slight texture of the paper itself. Digital printing is also known as flat printing. This print process is good for multi-color artwork such as watercolors.
ENGRAVING
Each design is etched onto metal plates with extreme precision, then carefully stamped onto hand-fed pieces of paper. The resulting image is raised and highly detailed, with a visible impression on the back of the paper. This “bruise” is considered a mark of quality . Engraving ink is dense and opaque, yielding crispness in even the tiniest details.
THERMOGRAPHY
Thermography simulates the raised appearance of engraving without the use of metal engraving plates. Ink is applied directly to the paper and a fine powder is applied. It is then passed under a heating element where the ink dries and hardens creating a raised effect. Thermography inks are translucent and are be affected by the color of the stock on which they are applied.
LETTERPRESS
A plate is made and the design is debossed into the paper creating an indented image. Rollers dispense ink onto the raised artwork on the plate and the plate is then pressed into the paper. Letterpress ink is somewhat translucent and is affected by the color of the stock on which it is used.
FOIL STAMPING
Foil stamping is when a heated metal plate is pressed against foil film to transfer the design to the paper. It creates a slightly debossed effect where the plate pushes into the paper. Foil is most commonly used when a reflective finish is desired.
INK COLORS
METALLIC ENGRAVING INKS
FOIL COLORS
