Start with the date the recipient needs the items. Agree artwork preparation, approval, production and transport separately. Timing must be confirmed for your specification and route. The wedding date alone does not determine when invitations should arrive.
In this guide
Work back from the required arrival date
Invitations may be needed before travel, while menus and place cards may be needed closer to the event. Record both the event date and preferred receipt date. Different parts of the suite can have different destinations and dates.
Explain what is already ready: recipient count, wording, translation, design or your own artwork. Unfinished wording and changing names affect the work sequence even when the design idea is clear.
Agree four separate stages
Artwork preparation, your review, production with finishing and transport need separate agreement. Ask the manager what starts each stage and what is required before production begins.
Do not apply cake lead times or another printer’s promises to stationery. Rush enquiries require checking the particular job. Sending a form does not reserve production or guarantee arrival by your chosen date.
| Stage | What to agree |
|---|---|
| Artwork | Inputs and responsibility for wording |
| Approval | Version and confirmed specifications |
| Production | Start conditions and scope |
| Receipt | Route, method, date and restrictions |
Revisit the schedule after changes
If quantity, wording, material or destination changes, check the effect on cost and timing before proceeding. An old date is not automatically confirmed for a new specification. Keep the manager’s agreement and current quote together.
Record calendar dates as local destination dates. If an exact time matters, state the city and local time separately: the person discussing the order may be in another time zone.
Put your stationery brief together
Choose a design idea or send your own artwork. State quantities for each item, printed languages, event location and preferred delivery destination and date. The team will check production options and prepare a quote.
Request a stationery quote