All Things Stationery
Electronic Invitations
If you have the computer skills you have the option to send
and receive your invitation electronically. Programs such as
Evite
can be used to reach your entire guest list. This This
approach certainly saves paper and postage. sing e-mail for
“save the date” information, possibly even directing people to a
web page that you (or a friend or family member) set up with all
of the event details and logistics. Also, you could send a much
smaller mailing to those of your guests who may not use e-mail.
Also consider scanning those beautiful invitations/announcements and sending them electronically to those who can receive them
that way, again reducing the number that need
to be printed and
transported.
We should add a note of caution, though: be sure that when you
send an Evite, it is clear to whom the invitation
is directed.
For example, an invitation to an adults-only party could easily
be misunderstood if it’s not crystal
clear that the recipient’s
kids are not invited guests.
However, going to an entirely paperless invitation system may
not be practical for many families. And even
when it is, some
of us may still want the option of selecting a beautifully
designed card to send out to family
and friends.
Electronic Thank You Notes
You also can evaluate whether there are some gifts that you could
acknowledge with an electronic thank you
note. You can explain
that you are using the internet to cut down on your use of
paper. However, you will have
to gauge your crowd on this one.
There’s a solid place in society for a handwritten thank you
note from a
grateful gift recipient. Environmentalism is very
important, but this may not be the place to unintentionally
offend
people
who have just given your child a lovely gift.
Recycled Paper
Consider using recycled paper for invitations and/or envelopes.
You also can check out Twisted Limb Paperworks.
They specialize in using 100% recycled
paper that is processed without chlorine and made without
additional dyes.
They even have an option for you to choose to
have wildflower seeds added to the paper--meaning that when your
guests are done using the invitation they can plant it and
hopefully grow flowers.
Soy-based Ink
Consider using soy-based ink when printing your
invitations. Ink made from soybean oil takes less energy to
make than ink made from petroleum products. In addition,
soy-based ink is lower in volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), and
so releases far fewer of these harmful VOCs into the environment
during the drying process.
Moreover, soy-based ink comes from
soybeans, a renewable energy source, and produces waste that is
not
considered hazardous, making it easier and cheaper to
dispose of at the end of the printing process.
Paper Reduction
Be aware of how many different pieces of paper you are
using. Can the map of the event be printed on the back of the
invitation rather than using a separate card? Do you need that
extra sheet of tissue paper that sometimes is included? Is it
important that the envelope has a lining or that you use an
inner and an outer envelope? Can the response card be a
postcard instead of a card and an envelope? Can you skip the
response card altogether and just ask people to send you an
electronic response?
If your event is in a more formal setting, ask the person who
will be coordinating the event whether the venue typically puts
a listing of the courses at each place setting. If so, you
could request that this step be skipped to save the paper.
Consider buying the Thank You notes that fold over and become
self-mailers. That way, you don’t need a card, envelope or
postage.
