Invitation Ideas

Artsy, watercolor-painted designs, like the letter-pressed Watercolor invitation suite by Printerette Press, were popular at the show.

Blue and green brushstrokes on a flat-printed design from Tag & Company offer a summery feel.

Ikat is the hot pattern of the moment. The Ikat invitation from Avie Designs features the textile pattern on belly bands and envelope liners.

Basic envelopes are out, and colorful patterned envelope liners are in. At Kramer Drive's booth, a magnetized board displayed several of the company's liner options.

Another hot trend was Gatsby-inspired design aesthetics, like the fan-patterned envelope liner seen in the vintage-looking suite from Checkerboard.

Laser cutting is a technique that involves a computer-controlled laser cutting paper into intricate patterns. The Avie Designs booth displayed several delicate laser-cut designs.

Dolce Press also offers a custom laser-cut option.

Kleinfeld Paper's preppy Palm Tree Monogram suite includes a laser-cut floral belly band.

Laser cutting can be pricey; for a less expensive option, look for digitally printed paper-cut-esque designs, like the invitations from B.T. Elements.

Ombre, a style in which colors subtly transition from one shade to another, is trending in the event design world. One of Tag & Company's invitations featured the sought-after look.

Elum's letter-pressed Tide invitation is a clean, modern take on the ombre trend.

Invitations with design inspired by Mexican folk art abounded, such as the suite from Minted.

Combining two trends, Avie Designs' festive laser-cut invitation is modeled after the Mexican craft of papel picado (cut paper).

Eschewing patterns and motifs, many designs, including the custom one from Ladyfingers Letterpress, focus on a mix of hand-penned fonts for a look that feels equal parts classic and whimsical.

Quaint, hand-painted illustrations were spotted all over the trade show floor, including at the booth for B.T. Elements' that showcased the Claire invitation suite from its Ashton Collection.

Hipster-fied, camping-inspired motifs and patterns popped up at booth after booth. The new Notes From Camp boxed stationery set from One Canoe Two retails for $22 and features hand-painted plaid and bandana patterns.

Several designers found inspiration in the heavens. A letter-pressed invitation from Smock's new line features a mix of hand-lettered fonts and a map of the constellations.

A letter-pressed invitation from Paper Boat Studios comes wrapped in a pocket printed with a detailed star chart.

AR-EN Party Printers showed off a graphic, flourescent triangle-patterned invite.

From event planner Shawn Rabideau's brand-new collection for Kramer Drive comes an eye-popping, trippy design.