It can be difficult to choose your stationery with so many different options available. Ordering a sample is a great way to show you the quality, colours and style so that you can make up your mind. We offer 3 different types of sample from a simple generic sample as shown through to a fully personalised, printed sample. We’ll even tie the bow for you!

Generic Sample: A generic sample is to show you the size, quality, style and colour of your chosen invitation set. We do not personalise or edit them in any way, and you will receive a sample set as shown in the images on white card, but with your selected options such as envelope colour. If you select a different card type and we don’t have one ready printed in stock, you will receive the sample on white card and a swatch of your chosen card colour. There is no need to send us any details. We’ll dispatch your sample as soon as possible, usually within 1 or 2 working days. 

Personalised Sample: A personalised sample is a great way to take you through the whole process of creating your perfect invitation from ordering through to receiving the finished product in the post. Choose from the available options and then let us know if you’d like additional options. Check out the main product page for ideas. Send us all the information you would like to have printed on your cards such as gift message, RSVP, menu options, directions etc. You can have any information you like printed on your cards. You can choose to have printing on the back of cards, personalised guest names, an RSVP envelope and even an additional large card if you have a lot of information to send to your guests. We’ll draw up electronic proofs for you and you have plenty of time to make any amendments. When you’re happy with the proofs we’ll send them to print and you will receive the finished, printed invitation set in the post. Your Personalised Sample can be for any event.

If we do not hear back from you for 4 weeks from the date of placing your Personalised Sample Order, we reserve the right to print and dispatch the sample without your approval.

Please note that although stickers, and some envelope liners, will be personalised on the electronic proof, the printed versions you receive will match the design shown but will not be personalised. We cannot print single stickers or envelope liners and you will receive them as shown in the listing photographs.

Electronic Sample: Perhaps you’ve had a Generic Sample already and are happy with the quality but would now like to see what your information would look like in your chosen design. Perhaps you need to have the design tweaked? Then this is the option for you! We create electronic proofs of your chosen invitation combination. You can make changes to your proofs until you are happy with them (within reason) for up to 10 days at which point the order will be closed. We are always happy to make changes and update proofs but if you change your mind and would like a different design, please order a new Electronic Sample. If we don’t hear back from you, we will presume that you were happy with the most recent proofs. Please note that an electronic sample is not suitable for printing at home. It is purely for you to see what your information will look like in your chosen design.

PROOFS - Please note that all proofs are shown on a white background irrespective of your chosen card type. Please always read any annotations on your proofs with regards to card colour, size and quantity.

Personalised printed or electronic samples do not commit you to anything and you are free to completely change the details of any future orders.

A5 is twice the size of A6
A6 is half the size of A5 and twice the size of A7
A7 is the smallest and is half of an A6
C5 envelope fits an A5 card
C6 envelope fits an A6 card
C7 envelope fits an A7 card

Approximate Card & Envelope Sizes:
FULL SIZED: 
Wedding Invite - A5 (approx. 21cm x 14.8cm)
RSVP/Gift Message/Info/Menu Card - A6 (approx. 10.5cm x 14.8cm)
Invitation Envelope - C5 (22.9cm x 16.2cm) Regular Royal Mail letter size.
RSVP Envelope – C6 (16.2cm x 11.4cm) 

MINI: 
Wedding Invite – A6 (approx. 14.8cm x 10.5cm)
RSVP/Gift Message/Info/Menu Card – A7 (approx. 7.4cm x 10.5cm)
Mini Invitation Envelope – C6 (16.2cm x 11.4cm)
Mini RSVP Envelope – *C7 (11.2cm x 8.3cm)

Ribbon width – approx. 3mm

*Please note that mini C7 envelopes cannot be personalised

Choose the type of sample you would like to receive. Either include the information for your Electronic or Personalised Sample with the order or email it to us afterwards at your convenience. There is no need to send any information if ordering a Generic Sample as it will not be edited in any way.

Once we receive your order a member of our design team will create electronic proofs using the information you have supplied, usually within 2 working days. The proofs will be emailed to you. Unlike many companies, we do not limit the number of changes you can make to your proofs within reason. Once you are happy with them, let us know and we will send them to print or, in the case of an electronic sample, close the order out. Nothing goes to print without your approval. If after placing an order you haven’t heard from us within 3 working days, please get in touch. 

After you have approved your proof, we aim to dispatch your order within 3 - 4 working days. The whole process normally takes around a week plus delivery time depending on the product and whether amendments are made to the proofs. Generic Samples are usually dispatched within 1 or 2 working days. Shipping times may vary due to bank holidays or during busy periods.

SHIPPING
After you have approved your proof, we aim to dispatch most orders within 3 - 6 working days, depending on the product type (please see individual product details for dispatch times). Large orders with assembling, gluing or foiling may take a few days longer. Samples are usually dispatched within 1 - 3 working days. Shipping times may vary due to bank holidays or during busy periods.

Royal Mail 2nd Class postage (no rush) – Royal Mail quote 3-5 working days however in our experience this often takes longer and can take up to 3 weeks. Please do not select this option if you need to receive your order within 3 weeks of approval for print. It really does mean ‘no rush’!

Royal Mail 1st Class postage (not guaranteed) – Royal Mail quote 1 – 2 working days however, in our experience this often takes considerably longer and can take up to 10 days. Please do not select this option if you must receive your order within 10 days of approval for print. 

Tracked 24 (tracked but not guaranteed) – Royal Mail quote 1 – 2 working days however, this is not guaranteed and has been known to take a full 10 days. If it’s crucial you receive your order within 10 days of sending your order to print, this is not the option for you.

*Next Day Delivery takes 1 or 2 working days (weekends & holidays excluded). 

*Next Day Options are only available for UK mainland. Please contact us separately for shipping to Northern Ireland or any of the other islands or highlands. 

NOTE: There are Delivery Speed Exclusions for many postcodes. These can be viewed on royalmail.com/termschanges under Changes from 11 August 2025. They are subject to change by Royal Mail without notice.

If you require any other shipping such as Guaranteed Next Day or Saturday Delivery, please contact us separately for a quote. Most shipping options can be upgraded for a surcharge.

Shipping Abroad
Sadly, Brexit has made it impossible for us to ship to Europe. There are companies available that will handle this for you and provide a UK shipping address for you. Companies such as https://forwardvia.com/ and https://www.shopandship.com/ are just 2 examples. The best option is usually to have your order shipped to friends or family in the UK who can then forward things on for you.

FAST TRACK ORDERS
If you choose to add priority processing to your order, it will flag up for us and will then jump to the front of the queue and take priority. We will make sure that your order is processed as quickly as possible from proofs through to printing and dispatch. We will aim to prepare your proofs within 1 or 2 days and will also endeavour to dispatch your order as soon as possible once you’ve approved your proofs. 
Please contact us for availability before placing your order if you need your order within just a few days. Large format items (Foamex/2mm Card) still need a minimum of 4 days to be processed, printed, and shipped. Traditional foil pressing also takes a few days because a plate has to first be manufactured before we can even begin pressing.

Digital Foiling orders (not to be confused with our traditional foil pressing) can be sped up as all foiling is done in house. 

Please note that your order will still be dispatched using whichever shipping method you choose during checkout so if you select 2nd class postage, the order will simply slow down once we’ve dispatched it. We recommend selecting our Next Day delivery service (UK mainland only. Weekends & holidays excluded).