Daily Vector Wedding Tip + Countdown: 14 Days to Ceremony-Ready VectorsPlanning wedding graphics in the final two weeks can feel like a sprint. Whether you’re a DIY bride or groom, a professional designer finishing a client’s order, or a stationery shop owner racing through a backlog, this 14-day countdown will get your vector artwork polished, printable, and stress-free. Each day includes a practical tip, a short task, and a quick reminder of file-export settings to keep everything ceremony-ready.
Day 14 — Inventory & Prioritize
Tip: Make a complete list of every graphic item you need: invitations, RSVP cards, save-the-dates, programs, menus, signage, name cards, seating charts, thank-you notes, envelope liners, social-media graphics, and any bespoke pieces. Task: Prioritize items by production time and quantity required. Tackle high-quantity items first (invitations, menus) so printing can begin earlier. Export reminder: Use organized artboards named clearly (invitation_front, invitation_back, RSVP_card) and save a working master as .AI or .SVG.
Day 13 — Finalize Dimensions & Bleed
Tip: Confirm final sizes with your printer or vendor and set proper bleeds. A common bleed is 0.125 in (3 mm) but check vendor specs. Task: Adjust artboards to final trim dimensions plus bleed. Add guides for safe margins (typically 0.125–0.25 in inside trim). Export reminder: For print-ready PDFs, include bleed and crop marks.
Day 12 — Groom Your Typography
Tip: Choose wedding fonts that are legible at small sizes and pair well (one display/script + one serif/sans for body text). Task: Create a character/style panel in your file: set headline, subhead, body, and small-caps styles. Convert only the final approved text to outlines if necessary. Export reminder: If sending editable files to a vendor, embed fonts or include font files. For locked design, outline text (Type → Create Outlines) before export.
Day 11 — Color Management & Spot Colors
Tip: Work in CMYK for print, and convert spot colors to Pantone only if the printer requests spot inks. For foil or metallics, discuss special processes early. Task: Create a swatch palette with named colors and Pantone references if used. Check color contrasts for readability. Export reminder: When exporting PDFs, use PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 for reliable color handling and include color profiles.
Day 10 — Vectorize Illustrations & Embellishments
Tip: Ensure all decorative elements (floral motifs, monograms, icons) are true vectors — scalable without losing fidelity. Task: Trace or redraw any raster elements using pen/shape tools. Clean anchor points and simplify paths to reduce file complexity. Export reminder: Save a copy as SVG for web/laser-cut files and as AI/PDF for print.
Day 9 — Check Image Resolution & Linked Assets
Tip: Embedded rasters (photos) must be at least 300 PPI at final print size. Low-res images will look soft or pixelated. Task: Replace low-resolution images with high-res versions. If using patterns or textures, vectorize if possible or supply high-res TIFFs. Export reminder: Embed or package linked files so nothing goes missing when you hand off files.
Day 8 — Kerning, Leading & Microspacing
Tip: Small adjustments to letter spacing and line spacing make a big difference on printed pieces. Task: Proof every headline and block of text at 100% scale. Adjust kerning for display type and leading for readability on body text. Export reminder: Outline display text when exporting to avoid font substitution.
Day 7 — Test Print at Home
Tip: A quick home print doesn’t replace professional proofing but reveals glaring layout, color, and margin issues. Task: Print a sample of each piece on comparable paper. Check trim, alignment, and color balance. Mark required fixes directly on the print. Export reminder: Use high-quality print settings and export PDFs with bleed/crop marks for accurate home proofing.
Day 6 — Embellishments & Special Finishes
Tip: Plan effects like foil, embossing, die-cuts, and laser cuts early — they may require vector-only areas or special layers. Task: Create separate layers for embellishment elements and label them (FOIL_LAYER, EMBOSS_LAYER). Convert those elements to single-color vectors. Export reminder: Provide printers with separated files or layers for special finishes and, if required, a print-ready PDF plus an SVG/AI for the die-line.
Day 5 — Master the Die Line & Cut Lines
Tip: Die lines must be precise, continuous strokes with no fills; the manufacturer often wants a specific stroke color (e.g., 100% magenta) and a set stroke weight. Task: Create a die-line layer with correct stroke settings and hide it when exporting standard print files. Include a version with the die-line visible for the manufacturer. Export reminder: Supply a vector die-line (SVG/AI/PDF) and a mockup showing how the cuts align with artwork.
Day 4 — Prepare Fold & Multi-Page Layouts
Tip: Folded programs and multi-page booklets require careful panel setup and page-order proofs (imposition). Task: Set up guides for fold lines and create an imposition mockup or flattened PDF showing the final fold sequence. Export reminder: Export multipage PDFs with the correct page order; discuss whether the printer needs single pages or imposed spreads.
Day 3 — Accessibility & Readability Check
Tip: Ensure fonts and color contrasts are readable for guests of all ages. Script fonts look lovely but can be hard to read in small sizes. Task: Increase body font sizes where necessary (commonly no smaller than 8–9 pt for printed cards) and test contrast with grayscale printing. Export reminder: Include an accessible version of key items (e.g., larger-type program) if requested by the couple.
Day 2 — Final Proofing & QA Pass
Tip: Do a thorough, line-by-line proof for spelling, dates, addresses, and RSVP details. Typos are costly at this stage. Task: Print another proof and have at least one other person check all content. Verify guest names, times, venue names, and vendor contacts. Export reminder: Lock layers you won’t edit and save a final working file plus a production-ready PDF.
Day 1 — Production Files & Handoff
Tip: Compile a production pack with all necessary assets and instructions for the printer: PDFs, fonts (or outlined text), linked images, color specs, die-lines, fold guides, and a mockup. Task: Create a zipped folder named clearly (e.g., CoupleName_Wedding_Production_YYYYMMDD.zip) containing:
- Final print-ready PDFs (with bleed and crop marks)
- Native files (AI/EPS/SVG) with layers intact
- Linked high-res images and pattern files
- Font files or outlined text
- A PDF/spec sheet with paper stock, weight, ink specs, and any special finish instructions Export reminder: Confirm the printer has received the files and request a final press proof or PDF proof before full run.
Quick Export Settings Checklist
- File formats: PDF (print-ready), AI/EPS/SVG (vectors), TIFF/JPEG (high-res rasters if necessary)
- Color: Work in CMYK; include ICC profile; use Pantones only if requested
- Resolution: 300 PPI for raster images at final size
- Bleed: 0.125 in (3 mm) or as requested by printer
- Fonts: Embed or outline; provide font files if deliverable must remain editable
- Special finishes: Separate layers/files labeled clearly (FOIL, DIE, EMBOSS)
Common Pitfalls & Fast Fixes
- Low-res images: Replace with higher-resolution originals; vectorize patterns.
- Misplaced die-lines: Keep die-lines on a named layer and provide a visible mockup.
- Font substitution: Embed or outline fonts; include font files if editable files are needed.
- Wrong color mode: Convert RGB to CMYK early; use Pantone for spot if required.
Final Tip — Build a Template Library
After this project, create reusable templates for the most common items (invitation, RSVP, program, menu). A small library of well-organized templates will cut future turnarounds to hours instead of days.
Good luck — and remember: neat layers, clear naming, and a final proof are your best defenses against last-minute wedding design panic.
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