Article: Printable Wedding Signs, From Proof to Print
Printable Wedding Signs, From Proof to Print
If you've fallen for our designs but you're getting married outside the UK, you've probably run into the same problem many couples do: our large boards are simply too big to ship overseas. So we made them printable.
Our Printable Day-Of Package gives you your welcome sign, seating chart and tarot table prints as print-ready files, designed with you one to one and ready to take to your local print shop. This guide walks you through exactly how it works, from your first proof to the day itself.
Why We Created Our Printable Day-Of Package
For a while now, couples in the US and further afield have been asking us for our welcome boards and seating charts. We'd been helping where we could, one order at a time, but we wanted to offer something properly thought through. Something that gives you the same designs, the same one-to-one care and the same attention to detail as everything we print ourselves, just printed closer to home.
What's Included
The Essentials, from $195: a welcome sign, a tarot seating chart and a matching tarot table print for every table.
The Complete Set, from $295: everything in The Essentials, plus menus and up to three extra signs, such as an order of the day, bar menu or photo sign.
Both packages come in three sizes to suit your wedding: up to 8, 12 or 17 tables. Planning more than 17 tables? Get in touch and we'll talk it through.
How It Works
- Order: Choose your package and number of tables. We recommend ordering at least six weeks before your wedding.
- Send us your details: We'll be in touch after you order to gather your names, date, venue, guest list and chosen tarot designs.
- Your proofs: Within 7 days, we'll email you a link to a folder with previews of every piece, so you can see exactly how everything looks.
- Refine: Unlimited revisions until everything is right. No editing or Photoshop skills needed, that's all sorted our end.
- Your final files: Once everything is approved, your print-ready PDFs are added to the same folder, stored in the cloud so you can access them anytime and share them straight with your printer. Your final files arrive two weeks before your wedding.
The Sizes We Supply
Our files are set up in the standard sizes most print shops offer. For couples comparing with UK sizes, here's how they line up:
| Item | US size | Closest UK size |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome sign | 24 x 36 inches (or 18 x 24) | A1 (or A2) |
| Seating chart | 24 x 36 inches | A1 |
| Table prints | 5 x 7 inches | A5 |
| Menus (The Complete Set) | 4 x 6 inches | A6 |
| Extra signs (The Complete Set) | Sized to suit what you need | |
Most printers work perfectly with these sizes, but every print shop is slightly different. We always recommend checking with your printer before your final files are prepared, so we can tweak anything if needed.
Understanding Your Files
Your print-ready PDFs include a 3mm bleed and crop marks, standard for most printers. In plain English, the bleed means your design runs slightly past the edge, so there's no white line once it's trimmed. The crop marks show your printer exactly where to cut.
Our designs are printed on white paper and board, with the black areas printed in ink. That's how your files are set up, and it's how your printer will understand them. We don't prepare files for white ink printing, which is a more specialised type of printing. Our files also aren't suitable for foil printing, a specialist technique of its own.
Where to Print Your Wedding Signs
Most local print shops can print your files. In the US, shops such as Staples typically offer poster printing in standard sizes, including 24 x 36 inches, along with foam board options, and accept PDF uploads. FedEx Office and independent local printers are great options too. Services and timings vary from shop to shop, so always check with your chosen printer before ordering.
What We Recommend
- A matte finish for both paper and boards. It suits our designs beautifully.
- Foam board for your welcome sign and seating chart. We use 5mm foam board for the boards we print ourselves, as it's sturdy and usually weather resistant. Check what your local printer offers.
- Hanging holes or stands. Many printers can add holes for hanging your boards, or supply stands. Again, check locally.
- Plenty of time. Some finishes take longer than others, so ask your printer about timings early.
On the Day
Most couples display their welcome sign and seating chart on an easel or stand, right where guests arrive. Table prints look lovely propped against a candle holder, in a small stand or in a simple frame, and guests often take them home as a keepsake. You can read more about choosing and assigning tarot cards to your tables in our tarot seating chart guide.
Real Wedding: Joe & Melodie
Joe and Melodie, based outside the UK, first found us for their save the dates and invitations. When it came to their day, they wanted their signage to match, so we worked with them to create a set of files they could print locally. It made things easy for them and kept the whole design cohesive, from the first save the date to the seating chart. Melodie told us it set the tone for planning the rest of their wedding, which meant the world to us.
Joe & Melodie's Wedding Suppliers
- Couple: @melodie.eloff and @joe.ozz
- Photography: @elishiajacksonphotography
- Florals: @blitz.co.florist
- Catering: @table47_gigharbor
- Cake: @corinabakery
- Stationery design: @birdhouse197
- Printing: @printnw
- DJ: Sheldon
- Bartender: @cameo_mobile_bartending
- Rentals: @cortfurniture and @americanpartyplace
Photography by Elishia Jackson Photography.
Designed for Your Wedding Only
Your files are personalised for your wedding and provided for use at your wedding only. They're not editable templates. Every design is edited by George and can be tweaked and amended until it's perfect, so there's nothing for you to edit yourself. Our designs remain our own, which is part of what makes your stationery feel so special.
We're Here to Help
Most printers work perfectly with our sizes and file setup, but if something needs a tweak, we're happy to help wherever we can. Just send us a message at hello@birdhouse197.com or on Instagram.
Explore the Printable Day-Of Package
Love George & Joshua
