Printing for the Wedding Industry: Say “I Do” to More Print Orders

Wedding season (the months between early summer and early autumn) is fast approaching, which means it’s time to target the wedding industry with your printing services. According to Real Weddings Study: Wedding Spend by The Knot, the average American couple spends around $408 on wedding invitations, and higher spenders average at about $1,098. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your print profits!

Let’s start with a few different types of clients you can target in the vast wedding industry.

Who Orders Print for Weddings?

Wedding Planners

Wedding planners are a big client because they buy print for several different weddings a year. They’re usually more knowledgeable about specifications and look for high print quality. Offer them a variety of stocks and coatings along with a large product selection. Remember, wedding planners provide services to the end user, so your selling strategy should be more B2B-focused.

The Couple

Brides and grooms don’t usually have a print background, so make sure you use everyday terms to describe your products and services. Don’t overwhelm them with too many choices. Do suggest popular products that other couples have ordered. Price is important to them, so be sure to offer products that fall into different price levels. The couple is usually the decision-makers, so you can upsell and cross-sell to them.

The Bridal Party

Bridesmaids and groomsmen sometimes help with the wedding. Just like selling print to the couple, suggest popular choices. However, since they’re not the ultimate decision-makers, upselling and cross-selling may be a little more difficult. Try encouraging them to think about what upgrades or additional products would make the day more special for the couple.

Event Venues

Event venues need printing done too, but their printing is more focused on advertising their location and services. They may occasionally need menus and signage printed as well. Like wedding planners, event venues serve end users, so use a B2B approach to sell to them.

Other Clients

Other businesses and individuals in the wedding industry that buy print include:

• Event managers
• DJs
• Officiants
• Photographers
• Cinematographers
• Graphic Designers
• Catering services
• Florists
• And more

Most Popular Print Products for Weddings

Postcards

Postcards serve as invites and programs, both of which are must-haves for weddings. Consider offering a special print package that includes both. You can also follow up with clients who have printed invites with you to see if they need programs too. In addition to standard postcards, offer special stocks and finishes like kraft paper, pearl paper, and metallic foil. They add an extra touch of elegance and uniqueness.

Greeting Cards

After the wedding, the couple usually sends out thank-you cards, so consider selling greeting cards as part of a post-wedding package. Often, they’ll want to write a personal message inside, so your best choice is a C1S greeting card (where the outside is coated and the inside is not).

Envelopes

If they need greeting cards, chances are they’ll need envelopes too. Offer these as part of the package with both their postcard invites and thank-you cards. These may or may not need to be printed on.

Business Cards

Business cards are important for anyone working in the wedding industry. Besides offering standard business cards, you can also offer specialty business cards with premium stocks and finishes. They’ll help the cards stand out and better reflect the aesthetic of the wedding industry.

Foam Boards

Foam boards are lightweight and affordable pieces of indoor signage. They serve as directional signs, welcome table signs, reception seating charts, and more.

Other Popular Print Products for Weddings

• Brochures: an information-packed marketing tool for businesses in the wedding industry
• Variable tickets: a fun product to have for games and raffles at receptions
• Sintra: the outdoor alternative to foam boards for signage
• Booklets: another powerful product for businesses to visually showcase their services
• Canvas: often printed with a photo and wrapped around a frame

Final Tips for Selling Print for Weddings

Get Creative

Print does more than just provide information. Use cutting and folding to create 3D pieces. Print do-it-yourself wedding favors. Think about what you can print for table centerpieces. The possibilities are endless.

Sell Packages

Your clients may not know where to begin. Packages help them cover all their bases and get everything they need all at one time. It’s also your ticket to upselling and cross-selling.

Consider Wedding-Related Events

Engagement parties, bridal showers, and stag-and-doe events also need print products. If you receive print orders for any of these events, ask your clients if they need printing for their wedding as well.

Go Beyond Wedding Season

Weddings happen all year round, so don’t wait to get started and don’t stop after it ends. Happy clients will gladly tell friends and family about what has worked for them, including your printing services. So expand your client base and help them say “I do” with print.