PaperSpecsGallery.com Presents: Pull-Out Invitation With a Two Drink Minimum

Did you hear the one about the creative invitation that walked into a bar? Or maybe it was a cow and a chicken? All right, I’m terrible at remembering jokes, but there’s nothing funny about the work and creativity that went into this improv comedy themed invitation that Suttle-Straus crafted for their annual employee recognition party. It has everything I look for in such a piece: drama, inventiveness, and a confident use of gatefolds.

Print designers: Discover free swatchbooks, personalized paper and printing help, and much more to help you create your own intriguing print pieces: Become a PaperSpecs PRO member now.

Designed by the in-house team at printing and marketing company Suttle-Straus, this creative invitation is all about creating a mood – in this case the experience of hitting a nightclub in search of a good time. It begins, as many such trips do, with a splash of neon. In this case it’s not a sign above a club but an A9 envelope made from Neenah’s super attention-grabbing Astrobrights Vulcan Green. Opening it is when the fun truly begins.

Click here or below to see watch the video:

What makes this a CREATIVE invitation?

Offset printed on International Paper’s Accent opaque 80 lb. cover, the invitation still feels intriguingly chunky thanks to the surprises packed inside.

Closed it resembles a darkened theater with strategic diecuts giving the impression of a silhouetted audience waiting for the show to begin. In front of them hangs an attention-grabbing blue theater curtain. On each side of the piece is a green tab marked “pull.” Following these directions parts the curtains, revealing the name of the event in black with two fluorescent inks, while each curtain piece folds out to display further details, and an RSVP card that can be torn off and mailed back.

“We always try to grab attention with an interactive element, as well as try different print techniques,” explains Suttle-Straus’ Maeghan Nicholson. “We featured fluorescent inks and a modified gatefold to mimic the experience of seeing an improv show. The fluorescent inks helped give it the neon light feel.”

The same inks were used to print additional pieces, including menu cards and drink tickets, on the same accent opaque sheets to minimize waste – these were inserted into the invitations, adding another element of surprise and occasion.

The main lesson learned from developing this creative invitation? “Not to overcomplicate a die line,” Maeghan confides. “Even an interactive piece can be created fairly simply.”

PRO member "hot trends" video mentioned at the end of this one.