• Create your own party invitations using colored card stock or paper.paper image by AGphotographer from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  Having party invitations professionally printed can cost a lot of money. Lessen the financial strain by making your own invitations at home. You may think you're not creative enough or that certain skills are required, but that's not true. You can make lovely invitations that are simple to create and cost less than having them made up at a print shop.
  
  

Design

• Sketch out on a piece of paper how you may want them to look. If your party has a theme, such as a beach theme or fall theme, include that somehow. Think about what information you need to include on the invitations so you won't leave anything out. Decide if you want it to be one sheet, or a folded invite, and if you want to use any embellishments or backing. Think about envelopes and colors as well.
  
  

Paper

• Card stock is the best type of paper to buy. It is sturdy and comes in many colors. It will easily work with your home printer and computer. Using a backing will add some class to your invitation, so purchase some card stock in a contrasting color to use as a backing for your invitations to make them look a little more formal. Make sure you have plenty of paper.
  
  

Create and Print

• Choose the font and color of lettering you'd like to use. Change margins according to how big you'd like the invitation or if you'd like a folded card. Some word processing programs include templates for this purpose. Keep it simple for a more formal invitation. If you want to jazz it up a bit, change the font to bigger lettering for the main details or use creative color combinations to add pizazz. Include the most important information and don't forget to include an email address and phone number guests can use to RSVP. Print the invitations using the settings that are appropriate for the size of paper you are using.
  
  

Embellish

• This is when you add the special touches to your invitations. Cut pieces of the card stock to use as your backing and attach them to the invite using an adhesive good for cards such as Xyron, which can be purchased at a craft store. Another idea to embellish your invites is to use ribbon. Tie a thin ribbon around the entire invitation or glue a tied bow on to the invite. You can use raffia, velvet or satin to make ties on the invite. Decorate the invitation with rubber stamps, and include a pretty piece of vellum or tissue paper in the envelope with the invite.