X-Post: DIY Brides

I know some of you ladies are so creative and talented when it comes to the DIY projects. You are so inspiring! So, I have two questions!

1. If you print at home, what kind of printer do you use?

2. What programs do you use on the computer to design your monograms, invites, inserts, programs, etc?

TIA!!!

I use a canon picture printer and always set it to glossy paper because alot of the cardstocks with shimmer have a gloss to them.

I also am obsessed with powerpoint - I am gonna go take a class at the local community college for photoshop though!

Thanks!!!

I have a basic inkjet, and I feel like I may need an upgrade if I really get into a lot of the projects that I would like to.

Jenn, are you the other (there are probably more, too) bride living in MD? I can't remember.

If so, we should have DIY parties south of the mason-dixon line while Lindsay gathers the girls on LI haha

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Posted by lindseynaggle

I'm not printing things at home. I think in the end it comes out to the same price to just upload a design to vistaprint or 123print. FH and I use Photoshop but that is very expensive if its not packaged with your computer.

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how do you actually start coming up with the design? just using shapes from word and images you find online?

eta: sorry for dumb questions people haha I can be pretty crafty and handy but i'm clueless when it comes to graphics.

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Posted by MrsCtoBe5512

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Posted by lindseynaggle

I'm not printing things at home. I think in the end it comes out to the same price to just upload a design to vistaprint or 123print. FH and I use Photoshop but that is very expensive if its not packaged with your computer.

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how do you actually start coming up with the design? just using shapes from word and images you find online?

eta: sorry for dumb questions people haha I can be pretty crafty and handy but i'm clueless when it comes to graphics.

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Don't be sorry about the questions at all. I hope I can help, I'm not a pro or anything.

I started collecting photos of things I liked and putting them in different files (cakes, invites, etc.). We pick a project and start looking through them to see what we like and what we don't. I should note that FH went to art school. We start talking and he just grabs a sketch book and starts drawing things out and we fine tune it. I guess I'm spoiled like that, I can't draw to save my life. We don't have a specific theme per-say, we have a few words we are trying to convey (graphic, whimsical, bold, fun, contemporary) and we are sticking with a black and white background with bright pops of yellow and red.

I think you should make an inspiration board too. It makes it easier to see how a project will work with your overall vision. HTH

thanks, those are all good ideas :)

but i think i should rephrase my question: if you have an idea of what you want you invites (for example) to look like... how do you go about physically producing that design? like you said your FH starts sketching... but then what? does he scan that in and manipulate it on the computer? or does he start with other shapes from word (or another program) and change those around to make it look like what you want?

does that make sense?

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Posted by MrsCtoBe5512

thanks, those are all good ideas :)

but i think i should rephrase my question: if you have an idea of what you want you invites (for example) to look like... how do you go about physically producing that design? like you said your FH starts sketching... but then what? does he scan that in and manipulate it on the computer? or does he start with other shapes from word (or another program) and change those around to make it look like what you want?

does that make sense?

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Yes it makes sense. Usually he hooks up the wacom tablet (its like a drawing pad with an electronic pen) and he draws designs directly on to the program. But some designs can use prefab shapes to make cool patterns. You could just layer different sized circles or squares for an interesting effect. Our STD (in my album) was mostly just text and lines, FH likes playing with fonts too. What is your theme or the look you are going for for your wedding?

ETA: For the STD he typed out the words in different fonts in Photoshop and then moved them around in there.

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Posted by MrsCtoBe5512

Jenn, are you the other (there are probably more, too) bride living in MD? I can't remember.

If so, we should have DIY parties south of the mason-dixon line while Lindsay gathers the girls on LI haha

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I am in Maryland!!! Good Idea!