Every event begins long before the decorations go up and the place settings are arranged. Indeed, the kickoff of every wedding, corporate event, or baby shower is the invitation or, if the event warrants, the save the date.
Every New York event planner knows that when guests sort through their mail, and an invitation emerges between the electric bill and Bloomingdale’s flier, the tone is set. Expectations are raised—or downcast. In other words, NYC event planners know the invitation has to be perfect.
In this article, we scoured the city and found seven invitation and print companies that raise the bar and will herald your event with the pomp and pizzazz it deserves.
1. Many Five-Star Reviews: Perfectly Invited
Featured in The Knot and WeddingWire, Perfectly Invited’s award-winning invitations are perfect for any New York event. Perfectly Invited puts creativity in your clients’ hands with an engaging website where they can play and design the invitation of their dreams. From there, Perfectly Invited offers a wide range of invitation options to fit any budget and taste.
Your clients can choose linen, metallic, cotton, or any number of paper textures and materials. They can also choose a number of die cuts and printing options. And if your clients are especially busy with preparations for their big day, Perfectly Invited will assemble their invitations. It’s easy to see why this Invitation printing company is a fan favorite among New Yorkers and is in The Knot’s Hall of Fame.
2. Eco-Friendly: Bella Figura
Bella Figura mixes Old World methods with modern sensibilities with their vintage presses and eco-friendly printing options. Using high-quality paper and cast iron presses, Bella Figura prides itself on their love and perfection of the printing craft.
In addition to offering all the slick, popular choices like foil printing and die-cuts, Bella Figura also specializes in sustainability. They use eco-friendly inks and paper made using reclaimed fibers from the fashion industry. They repurpose and recycle just about everything, and they invest in reputable Renewable Energy Credits. They even buy passes for their employees to help reduce vehicle emissions. Bella Figura is the perfect choice for eco-minded clients looking for vintage charm.
3. Luxurious: Mrs. John L. Strong
The world’s wealthiest city will also be home to the most luxurious brands. And Mrs. John L. Strong's stationery goes with New York’s well-heeled citizens like the torch on Lady Liberty. Mrs. John L. Strong opened her upscale stationary store in 1929. Since her death in 1979, the posh stationary business changed hands several times, even closing its doors in 2009, citing a dwindling market for luxury products.
A new owner stepped in and breathed life into the venerable stationer. Today, clients can indulge in the same handcrafted, bespoke stationery printed on Strong’s Vanilla stock made using the same technique that Mrs. Strong used in 1929. And they would be in good company. Over the company’s distinguished tenure, Mrs. John L. Strong has served eminent clients, such as the Duchess of Windsor, Bette Davis, and Oprah.
4. One-of-a-Kind Artistry: Pineapple Street Designs
Not all clients want to follow in another’s footsteps, not even Oprah’s. For clients looking for self-expression, Pineapple Street Designs creates custom-drawn and painted invitations. Pineapple Street Designs gives events a personal touch with projects that include everything from save the dates to seating cards to bar menus.
Owners Bekah and Christy dedicate themselves to telling their clients’ love stories through their artistic designs. They have a collection of whimsical, ready-made collections for budget-minded clients. Or clients can commission watercolor compositions to fit the theme of their event. Clients love the duo’s creativity, vision, and execution.
5. Elegant: Atelier Isabey
If you’re going for modern, understated elegance, then check out Atelier Isabey. This premier New York printing business was founded by Margot Hallac and featured as one of Stationery Trends magazine’s top 10 designers to watch in 2011. Atelier Isabey’s award-winning designs have been published in New York Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, and other top industry publications.
Event clients can choose from a host of stunning laser-cut designs or a variety of styles, such as deco, modern, or classic. Or clients with specific tastes can commission custom designs to match their event’s theme. Atelier Isabey brings their design prowess to weddings, corporate events, and any upscale social event. Businesses can even partner with Atelier Isabey to overhaul their logo and branding designs.
6. Calligraphy: Order She Wrote
Featured on The Knot’s Best of Weddings list for four years running, Order She Wrote is a calligraphy business and so much more. Founder Joanna can create lettering in several calligraphy styles. She also works with two other artists and a printer, so she can take the helm of your invitation and printing needs.
However, if you and your clients already have a printer or stationer, Joanna can work with them to provide “spot calligraphy,” which can then be printed en masse on the finished product. Or Joanna can address your client’s envelopes for a personalized touch. The result is keepsake-quality pieces personalized for your clients and with a human touch.
7. Couture: Ceci New York
Sometimes, clients want to take customization to the next level. Rather than rearrange an existing design or work with an artist for a single emblem, clients want the whole project to be unlike anything else. That’s where Ceci New York comes in.
Owner Ceci Johnson started Ceci New York after a coworker asked her to design wedding invitations. Named by Vogue magazine as a “favorite designer” and called by Harper’s Bazaar an “invitation idol,” Ceci then set out to build a true couture design agency.
Clients can commission Ceci New York to design and print invitations and save the dates. Their designs can also be incorporated into every detail of the event, from place settings to cookies to photo op settings.
A lot is riding on the humble invitation. The best invitations do more than tell guests when to show up and where. They’re a window into what the day will bring. New York event planners understand that the invitation is an opportunity to build significant anticipation and excitement.
Announce your event to the world with invitations that raise expectations. These invitation and printing companies will put butterflies of excitement into your guests with their creative, high-end designs. Find more vendors to bring your events to life at The Event Planner Expo 2024. Get tickets and get in the room with top event professionals this October!
