It may very well just be a Magic-specific problem, but I have run into some problems with beautiful sticker address labels that I created myself. I wanted to post about this as a Public Service to brides around the world, as well as to find out if I just have some sort of specific disability when it comes to mailing things.
The first time around was with the Save the Dates. I made beautiful wrap around address labels, and many recipients told me that their envelope was all marked up when it got to them. Also, at least four were returned, because the post office thought our address (on the back) was the send to address. Boo.
For the invitations (post coming soon!), I nixed the problematic wraparound label and created beautiful, straight forward sticker address labels with my Silhouette—you know, that machine that I barely know how to use. I printed them on full page sticker paper and had the Silhouette cut them out. It made me want to die, and caused me to write this post and this one too about how much everything sucks.
But the labels were cute in the friendly end.
Cute but not necessarily functional as FOUR invitations have already been returned to us because the address label somehow got scraped off and therefore the address was unreadable. What. The. Hell.
Have you had this problem with sticky address labels? Or is this a Magic specific problem?
you’re not alone, lady. we used gold metallic pen and i think some of the *elderly* mail carriers delivered some of the invites to the wrong homes. *facepalm* ah well, your invites look GORGE. that counts for something, right?
Oh, Magic, that’s the worst! we didn’t do sticky labels, but I have no doubt I would have run into the same problem.
Not all sticker-paper is created equal. I have better luck with label paper from the office supply stores staying stuck than the sticker paper intended for craft projects–the adhesive seems stronger.
A bone folder around the edges sometimes helps (but it’s best to do that before you stuff the envelope).
Also, the nicer the envelope, the more likely it’s a smoother surface: not enough tooth for the adhesive to grip.
We used wraparound stickers for our save the dates (from minted.com) and they worked fine! Hopefully I won’t have any problems with the invitations…..because those are the ones that count!
I can’t believe this! I had so many fears about our damn RSVP cards getting back to us because of our metallic ink, but it never occurred to me that the addresses could come off the stickers! So sorry you are dealing with this M!
SO frustrating!! We got some of our RSVP’s returned with our street number re-written out right next to our PERFECTLY LEGIBLE address label. Really it made no sense whatsoever. But at least they were being sent to me and I didnt worry about the pretty factor…just hoping that nothing similar happened to the actual invites! I havent heard anything from anyone yet so *fingers crossed!*
Your labels are so adorable! And I think getting returned mail will always be a problem when it comes to wedding invites. One of the RSVP cards we got back was totally destroyed in the mail. It got almost completely ripped in half, and they had to put it in a bag to deliver to us!
I barely know how to use my Silhouette too (and I’m so mad they are coming out with the 12×12 machine next month when I haven’t had mine very long) and have had several break downs trying to get it to do what I want! It’s user error for sure, but still! Great tip on the sticker paper though – it sounds like it would have been ideal. Back to the drawing board for me!
I created wraparound labels as well, and I thought they were perfectly wonderful. I did get one sent to us because they thought our return address on the back was the destination for the invite. After that happened, I was pretty fearful that all of them might come back, but I figure 1 out of 175 invites wasn’t too bad. I ended up using full sheets of sticky label paper from Office max, instead of the Avery brand, I used the Officemax off-brand stuff, and it seemed to work out really well.
I ordered my label paper from labelsbythesheet.com since they were already the correct size so no cutting was needed and designed and printed my wrap around labels myself. I didn’t have a single envelope get returned to me and none of our guests informed us of any issues receiving their invitations. For me it was the easiest way to get all of my envelopes addressed! Sorry you had such issues.
Goodness. I can’t imagine what’s going wrong. Perhaps it’s the paper you’re using. A bit of extra glue to keep the labels affixed might do the trick.
Goodness. I can’t imagine what’s going wrong. Perhaps it’s the paper you’re using. A bit of extra glue to keep the labels affixed might do the trick.
Mrs. Magic, Chapel Hill, NC Age and Occupation: 30, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Researcher Engagement Date: December 1, 2009 Wedding Date: October 2011 Venue: Barn at Valhalla About Me: I’m a tall drink of water (5’10”!) and a Southern bride with an enormous appetite for Mexican food, good deals, anything French, and all things wedding! By day I am lucky enough to work with individuals with autism and their families. By night, I’m even luckier to be able to spend time hanging out with awesome friends, crafting, shopping, thinking about exercising, and kicking it with Mr. Magic and our two cats. I tend to have sudden, intense cravings that will not be denied (seafood enchiladas! new jeans!) and I’m prone to being a disorganized mess of anxiety and stress. After waiting (and waiting!) to get engaged, I am finally planning the colorful, fun, fabulously awesome Fall wedding of our dreams. In an effort to share the fun and craziness that is wedding planning, I’m gonna blog about it for y’all---the good, the bad, and the pretty!
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