10 design programs to use for your DIY wedding invitations (including 5 FREE ones!)

Feeling the design spirit and want to do DIY wedding invitations? We get you. Sometimes what you want only exists in your brain and only you can pull it out. You'll need some tools to make this happen, so let's talk wedding invitation design software, both big and robust or small and easy-to-learn.

Adobe Creative Suite contains access to an array of professional-level graphics programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign which will allow you the most freedom to play and create. Creative Suite runs about $60 per month (with a 30-day free trial!), so it's not for everyone.

But if you already have access or want to get started with these programs anyway, Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign will be your best bets. Just keep in mind that since they are professional level programs, they have a professional level learning curve, too. Let's explore these options and then go into some free and cheaper software where the learning curve isn't quite as steep.

Adobe Illustrator

For invitation suites where typography is key, Illustrator is ideal. The graphics are vector-based (meaning not made of pixels), so you'll get the smoothest output on your type and illustration elements while still being able to include photos or other pixel-based graphics. You'll be able to include any of your favorite fonts, favorite stock or custom illustrations, and be able to arrange them as you please.

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop has similar layout capabilities to Illustrator with added robust graphical manipulation effects that you might already know about. You'll be able to create type and include photos or other graphics, but make sure you're setting your image size to be 300 dpi (dots per inch) or those pixels will start to look pretty janky in this kind of graphics program.

Adobe InDesign

InDesign isn't a graphics program like Illustrator or Photoshop, but rather a layout tool that allows you tons of control over documents where text and paragraphics are key, like on your programs. A great combination would be to create your graphics in Photoshop or Illustrator and then import them into InDesign to lay out your type. It will make creating well laid-out paragraphs a cinch.

But what if you're not Adobe software-savvy?

Most beginners aren't ready to tackle these hefty programs just for their wedding invitation set, so let's see what other free/cheaper/easier options there are to try.

MS Publisher

Yep, MS Publisher is still kicking around giving us desktop publishing layout options. It'll get the job done and might already be installed on your PC.

Pages for Mac

For Apple users, Pages is a pretty standard word processing tool, but it has some fairly nice layout options similar to InDesign that allow you to crank out some layouts pretty easily.

Inkscape

Inkscape is another vector program (like Illustrator) that has similar drawing tools, type elements, and of course, the ability to crank out some invitations. You can check out all the features here.

Editor by Pixlr

Editor by Pixlr is a very pared-down version of a Photoshop clone that is completely hosted online, which means you don't have to download anything. It will give you enough tools to get the job done without being totally overwhelming.

Bell Jar Wedding Invitations
from: Minted

GIMP

GIMP: GNU Image Manipulation Program is a mainstay in the open-source graphics market and runs on most platforms. It's pretty Photoshop-like, so you'll get similar tools to that set.

GimPhoto

GimPhoto is definitely going for a Photoshop feel, so you'll be encountering similar tools and capabilities to GIMP.

Seashore

For Apple users, Seashore is an OS X application that brings you some basic image editing tools with a streamlined interface.

Printable invitation sets

In case you're starting to doubt your ability to craft up invites with which you'll be satisfied, don't want to be burdened with learning a new software tool, or are just running out of time in your DIY wedding invitation schedule, consider some printable wedding invitation options. Printable invites allow you to purchase a (usually pretty inexpensive) template, customize it with your information, and print it up yourself. e.m.papers is one of our vendors who offers printable wedding invitations, thank you notes, save the dates, and escort cards in loads of styles. A Printable Press and of course Etsy offer great options, too.

Quick tips:

• Always set your dpi to at least 300 to make sure that your invitations won't look pixelated when they are printed out. This includes any graphical/photo elements you want to import into the document.

• Make sure to embed your graphics and fonts (or turn your fonts into outlines) before you send your file to your preferred printer.

• Speaking of printing, you can get pretty great deals from places like VistaPrint to print your invitations on a budget.

Need more wedding invitation tips?

This post features Offbeat Vendors! Check out their vendor listing to see how they cater to Offbeat Brides:

• e.m.papers