Where to find cool graduation announcements??
March 13, 2010 1:14 PM Subscribe
Where can I find original, modern yet classy announcements for my daughter's impending graduation from high school?
My daughter graduates this June and I have been looking at the plethora of unimaginative announcements out there. I tried Etsy with no luck.
I want something cute, modern, maybe the possibility of personalizing it with a photo but not tacky or cookie-cutter. I want nice paper and good design. Any suggestions?
"... I want something cute, modern, maybe the possibility of personalizing it with a photo but not tacky or cookie-cutter. ..."
The very point of simple, "classic," non-graphic (as in "doesn't contain photo") social announcement and correspondence design, is to communicate, with the least overt attention possible being drawn to the instrument of notification, that a social event is about to occur, and that the presence of the addressed individual is desired, and then, to provide the minimal necessary details of the event to occur, in order to allow the recipient to plan to respond, attend, or refuse to do so, in traditional fashion. Anything which includes photos, or "cute" design, is, on its face, bound to be seen as "tacky," by those who get the better kind of social correspondence.
Sorry. Them's the real rules. 25 years from now, if you're keeping copies for the scrapbook, you might agree. Or, not. But overall, in my experience of a long life, an excess of formality wears much better than excess of "cute."
posted by paulsc at 1:38 PM on March 13, 2010
The very point of simple, "classic," non-graphic (as in "doesn't contain photo") social announcement and correspondence design, is to communicate, with the least overt attention possible being drawn to the instrument of notification, that a social event is about to occur, and that the presence of the addressed individual is desired, and then, to provide the minimal necessary details of the event to occur, in order to allow the recipient to plan to respond, attend, or refuse to do so, in traditional fashion. Anything which includes photos, or "cute" design, is, on its face, bound to be seen as "tacky," by those who get the better kind of social correspondence.
Sorry. Them's the real rules. 25 years from now, if you're keeping copies for the scrapbook, you might agree. Or, not. But overall, in my experience of a long life, an excess of formality wears much better than excess of "cute."
posted by paulsc at 1:38 PM on March 13, 2010
Have you tried Paper Source? They have some lovely designs, made for graduation and for non-specific events.
posted by dayintoday at 1:54 PM on March 13, 2010
posted by dayintoday at 1:54 PM on March 13, 2010
Response by poster: shesbookish - thanks for the link to Oh So Beautiful Paper. I will check it out.
paulsc - "cute" was a bad word choice. These actually are not so much invitations as announcements. We moved to Idaho from California five years ago and what I want
is to send these out to all our far away friends who knew and loved my daughter as she
was growing up and who I think would enjoy a photo of her. Maybe a photo inserted in the
envelope is a better option, but I like to think there could be a tasteful announcement
with a photo as well (though to be honest, I haven't seen any, hence this posting).
posted by knolan at 1:58 PM on March 13, 2010
paulsc - "cute" was a bad word choice. These actually are not so much invitations as announcements. We moved to Idaho from California five years ago and what I want
is to send these out to all our far away friends who knew and loved my daughter as she
was growing up and who I think would enjoy a photo of her. Maybe a photo inserted in the
envelope is a better option, but I like to think there could be a tasteful announcement
with a photo as well (though to be honest, I haven't seen any, hence this posting).
posted by knolan at 1:58 PM on March 13, 2010
I have used Tiny Prints before and highly recommend them. Their designs are numerous and easy to personalize. They'll likely have just what you're looking for.
posted by juniperesque at 2:04 PM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by juniperesque at 2:04 PM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Oh come on, paulsc. You're full of good advice, but for a senior graduating from high school - there is room for personalization. There's no such thing as an "instrument of notification" that doesn't have symbolization. The "classic" invitations to which you refer carry all sorts of connotations -- most of which might not apply to this particular student or situation. Every single form of transmitting information has meaning - there's nothing wrong with a modern invitation that carries connotation of both class, cool, and good-spirit.
unlesssomeonelikeyou
hello lucky
nightowl paper goods
traylor papers
snow & graham>
KM Thomas
just peachy paperie
tangerine stars
If you tell me which of these you like best, or the aesthetic to which you're most attracted, I'd be happy to try and steer you to more. So many great paper products out there these days!
posted by barnone at 2:13 PM on March 13, 2010
unlesssomeonelikeyou
hello lucky
nightowl paper goods
traylor papers
snow & graham>
KM Thomas
just peachy paperie
tangerine stars
If you tell me which of these you like best, or the aesthetic to which you're most attracted, I'd be happy to try and steer you to more. So many great paper products out there these days!
posted by barnone at 2:13 PM on March 13, 2010
A few more on Etsy:
KM Thomas
announcing you
paperspice
Also seconding the Tiny Prints - I've seen them and they're of fairly good quality.
Basically you have to decide if you would prefer using a photo greeting card, or something more unique like a letterpress-style printed card, and include a photograph or two inside.
posted by barnone at 2:26 PM on March 13, 2010
KM Thomas
announcing you
paperspice
Also seconding the Tiny Prints - I've seen them and they're of fairly good quality.
Basically you have to decide if you would prefer using a photo greeting card, or something more unique like a letterpress-style printed card, and include a photograph or two inside.
posted by barnone at 2:26 PM on March 13, 2010
Could you make your own? If you were making fewer than, say, 40 or so before graduation day, it could be doable.
posted by mdonley at 3:45 PM on March 13, 2010
posted by mdonley at 3:45 PM on March 13, 2010
Being a graphic designer, I suggest you find one in your area to design a custom invite for you to take to a print shop.
posted by Foam Pants at 5:55 PM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Foam Pants at 5:55 PM on March 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks! I have lots of options now! Snow & Graham, Papersource and Tiny Prints were my favorites but some of those etsy choices were really nice too. Thanks so much! I'll post a link here to the finished product.
posted by knolan at 8:57 PM on March 14, 2010
posted by knolan at 8:57 PM on March 14, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also, you might try searching for someone who just makes stationary that you like, and then e-mailing them and asking if they could do graduation announcements in a style similar to something they already make.
Finally, perhaps you might find something at Oh So Beautiful Paper? That blog covers all sorts of invitations, announcements and other pretty paper goods.
posted by shesbookish at 1:29 PM on March 13, 2010