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I’m using Stardream envelopes for my invitations (purchased at the fabulous envelopemall.com).For those of you that have used Stardream paper, you may be familiar with the fact that it is both difficult to print on and nearly impossible to write on. For those of you that haven’t, well, it’s difficult to print on and nearly impossible to write on permanently, since it is a coated paper.
I’d decided awhile ago that I would actually hand address all the invitations (and the return address, and the response card envelope- yes, my hand is sore), so I spent some time searching for a pen that would write nicely and permanently on Stardream paper. My usual arsenal of ink pens didn’t work, nor did a fine point Sharpie marker.
Stardream 2, Pen 0
Cue the Sakura Glaze Pen:
Designed specifically for non porous surfaces, the ink becomes slightly raised when it dries- like very light embossing. The only trick is that you have to write slowly and let the ink dry before you touch it.
Stardream 2, Pen 100000 (because it totally conquered the Stardream).
The best deal for them that I found was at MisterArt.com, where you can get a two pack for $2.53. I started out with a single two pack in black, but that proved that it was not going to be nearly enough. (Each pen, on average for me, worked for about 65 or so addresses.) But the final result is very nice. (Pictures will be coming next week, after the invitations are sent!)
How did you address your invitations? Did you write them by hand, use a calligrapher or print them?
i am VERY excited to see your invites! you used Manchmal, right?
If you use a calligraphy pen (or some other ink like it), the ink should both dry quickly and not smear.
Sounds pretty! Definitely post pictures =) I did mine by hand too, but I just had regular envelopes so a sharpie was all I used.
I didn’t have any kind of problems printing or writing on my Stardream paper. I printed everything on our home printer and used a very fine-pointed pink Sharpie for addressing. I had zero problems with it…..interesting…..
Thanks for posting this! I just purchased Stardream envelopes (and paper) for my cousin’s bridal shower invites… now I know I need a good pen too! 
Great tip! Note to self…bookmark Dahlia’s stardream/pen entry!
Ugh, the dreaded Stardream. They are just too beautiful to resist until you have to work with them. I finally printed addresses on a coordinating piece of cardstock, then cut the addresses out with pinking shears. I used a xyron machine to attach these pieces to the envelope..
I used a calligrapher….www.dreamweavercalligraphy.com At $2 per set (inner and outer envelope), it was a more reasonable price than anyone I found in my hometown, even accounting for the cost of shipping the envelopes. Haven’t seen the completed envelopes yet, but they’re coming soon, ahead of schedule!
My wonderful co-worker did the calligraphy on the outside of our invitations, we used an address embosser on the back flap on the invitation envelopes and I printed clear labels in a pretty script font for the RSVP card envelopes.
I used Stardream envelopes for my save-the-dates and ended up using a clear label to address them because I could not find a pen that would write on them without looking awful. I won’t make that mistake with the invites, though, I’m having a calligrapher do them.
I used Speedball inks with my calligraphy nibs. They worked great!
I swear by the extra-fine tip sharpies for Stardream envelopes - and the pens come in so many great colors!
I got a two-ended Zig calligraphy pen, figuring at least one of the ends would give me the look I wanted, but both were too wide. By that point in pen shopping, I had ceased to care, so I just settled in and started doing the calligraphy I’d learned 20-some years ago in a summer camp program. By the time I got through the people whose names start with A, I was already bored. Early in the B’s, I got to a friend who I knew wouldn’t care about the calligraphy on the envelope, so I just wrote it in my normal handwriting. Then another, and another… basically anyone whose last name wasn’t Alexander or Anderson ended up with my handwriting in a big fat wide calligraphy pen.
And you know what? People actually told me how much they liked the way the invitations were addressed.
I hand addressed mine 
I used Stardream for my holiday cards and I used the paint pen markers and that was the only thing I could find that worked!
Miss Dahlia - I am so impressed with your determination. I just did a set of envelopes on this paper a few weeks ago and only through using a workable fixative and my calligraphy pen and ink did it stick. A very slow process and I commend your stamina!
yeah, i just had an awful experience with this type of envelopes.. we printed the address labels on text paper and adhered them with glue sticks- they looked great, BUT it was not so great when yesterday i received 20 back in the mail because the labels came off completely!!! now i have to figure out a way to find out who received theirs and whose i got back!!
Lindsey, SO sorry about your invitation labels. Glue sticks aren’t permanent and just don’t stand the test of post office machinery. Hope it all worked out. For you other DIYers or just those doing their own addressing, laser printers are they way to go for Stardream and other metallic coated papers. Ink jets tend to smear, unless it’s a machine that heat dries.
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Ms. Dahlia, Detroit/Cleveland Age and Occupation: 24, PhD Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, IT System Administrator Engagement Date: December 31, 2006 Wedding Date: May 2008 Blogging Since: September 19, 2007 Venue: United Methodist Cathedral & historic downtown hotel in Cleveland About Me: I enjoy cooking, dancing and swimming. I am a geek and apply game theory to my everyday life. Winter is my favorite time of year, especially when spent curled up with good coffee and a book by Madeleine L'Engle.
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