Eco friendly baby announcements and shower invitations

An eco friendly baby announcement is a card printed on post-consumer recycled, FSC-certified paper with soy-based inks, in roughly the quantity you will actually mail. The design can be anything you like. The materials and the size of the print run are what make it a lower-impact piece of mail.

At Eco Friendly Printer, we print announcements and shower invitations on 100 percent recycled stock bleached without chlorine, using soy inks. Greg Barber started the company in Northport, New York in 1990 and it is still family run. The business is now based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. We ship nationwide.

The four things to settle

• Paper. Choose certified stock with post-consumer recycled content that is heavy enough to feel like an announcement rather than a flyer.
• Ink. Choose soy-based ink rather than petroleum-based ink.
• Size. Use standard letter dimensions unless you have a specific reason not to, because unusual shapes cost more to mail.
• Quantity. Count your list, add a few extra, and print that number. Leftover cards that end up in a drawer are the most wasteful part of the process.

Paper for a small card

Announcements are held and read at arm's length, so the paper matters more than it would on a brochure. Recycled cover stocks between a business card weight and a lighter card weight feel substantial without becoming too stiff for the envelope. Uncoated recycled sheets have a slight texture that takes soy ink well and looks good in the hand.

The mills we buy from are Sustana EnviroPrint, Monadnock Astrolite PC 100, Neenah Environment and Mohawk Loop. They offer a good range of options: bright white, natural warm white, smooth and textured. If your photo is high in contrast and cool in tone, a brighter smooth sheet will suit it. If the design is mostly type with a soft color palette, a natural sheet usually looks better.

You can read about each stock on our paper samples page. Ask about paper samples when you request a quote, and compare the two or three you are considering under normal light before committing to a print run.

A note on photos and recycled stock

Recycled uncoated paper absorbs a little more ink than coated stock, so photographs print slightly softer and warmer. Most people prefer that look on a birth announcement, but the difference is real and worth seeing before you decide. If you want sharper, higher-contrast photos, ask us about a smoother recycled sheet rather than giving up on recycled fiber.

Plantable and seed paper cards

Seed paper has seeds embedded in it and is meant to be planted after it is read. It is a nice idea. It is also a thick, fibrous and uneven material, so fine type, small photographs and crisp edges do not hold on it the way they do on a good recycled cover stock. If you want a plantable card, plan for a design that is bold and simple.

For a card that will be kept on a refrigerator for years, which is what most announcements become, a quality recycled cover stock is the better choice. If you are set on a plantable card, mention it when you request a quote and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.

Size, envelopes and postage

Postage can add significantly to the cost of an announcement. Rectangular cards that fit standard letter dimensions are mailed at the ordinary rate. Square cards, very small cards and unusually thick or rigid pieces trigger a surcharge at the post office, and it can be significant. Check the current postal rules before you settle on a square format.

It is worth matching recycled envelopes to the card so the whole mailing is consistent. A plain kraft or natural envelope also makes the recycled stock look like a deliberate design choice.

Quantity and short runs

Count the households on your list. Add about ten for people you may have missed and for copies you will want to keep, and print that number. Ordering two hundred cards to reach a price break and then throwing away a hundred and forty cancels out the benefit of choosing recycled paper.

Short runs are available. Minimums vary by product and are listed on each product page. Typical turnaround is one to two weeks from artwork approval, so plan for that time rather than paying for rush shipping.

Green baby shower invitations

Shower invitations are the same kind of job earlier in the year, and the same materials apply. A few points are specific to them.

Timing. Mail shower invitations four to six weeks before the event. That gives guests time to plan travel and shop, and it gives the host a reliable RSVP count.

What to include. Include the date, the time, the full address with any parking or entry notes, the name of the person being honored, the RSVP method with a deadline about two weeks before the shower, and registry details if there are any. Add a theme or dress code if there is one. Anything beyond that is optional.

Wording. Plain, warm wording reads better than ornate language. Naming the parent to be and the date covers most of what guests need.

Sets. If you know you will want announcements later, ask us to quote both at the same time on the same stock. This keeps the family's mail consistent, and printing them together is usually less expensive than two separate short runs.

When to send the announcement

There is no strict deadline. Most families send announcements within the first six months, once life has settled enough to choose a photo. If the baby arrives near the end of the year, combining the announcement with a holiday card lets you send one mailing instead of two.

Send announcements to anyone you would like to share the news with. Close family and friends are the core of the list, and extended family and colleagues are entirely up to you. Gifts are not expected in response, and a short "no gifts, please" line is fine if you would rather not receive them.

What we can print

Flat cards, folded cards, photo announcements, matching envelopes and thank you notes can all be printed on the same recycled stocks with soy inks. Announcements and shower invitations are part of our invitations and cards range, alongside our greeting cards, and the full catalog with minimums is on our products page. If you would like help choosing paper or sizing the piece for postage, a print consultation is a good place to start.

Send us your artwork, your quantity and your date and we will prepare a quote. Start your order and we will reply with paper options and a price.