This multi-part, interactive invitation to the reopening of the Chevy Chase Pavilion was a collaboration with our clever and creative client, the multi-disciplinary design collective Street Sense. This highly customized piece was specified in a quantity of less than 500 pieces, so creating a cost-effective way to produce it took some imagination. We love projects like this.
The designers wanted a printed fabric envelope, so rather than searching for a manufactured one, or starting from scratch, we created one using the same type of durable fabric and innovative die-sublimation printing process we use to make fabric banners, then commissioned a seamstress to sew the envelopes for us. Die-sublimation, which is also used in the fashion industry, embeds color into the fibers of the fabric. We special ordered the buttons from Hong Kong, and found a clear cellophane envelope for protecting the cloth one in the mailing process while still showing its uniqueness, and giving a sneak preview to the contents via a die-cut hang tag. The cellophane envelope was sealed with a blind-embossed circular red seal (not shown), for yet another element of interactivity in the experience.
For the black invitation front Street Sense wanted matte letters embossed out of glossy triangles, so we created an intricate two-step process requiring precise alignment to achieve. It was hot foil stamped with clear gloss, then the printed area was blind-embossed and the whole panel was then mounted to the printed invitation.
The vellum was digitally printed, including the white areas, achieved using a great digital innovation called “static white” that means you no longer have to separately screen print white over dark colors. (You can also print a white surface on colored paper as a base for a four-color design.)
The striking tangerine belly band was printed digitally and blind-embossed. It served to create another interactive motion by the recipient, and to bundle the vellum and the invitation inside the cloth envelope.
Given the amazing job that Street Sense did on the branding and interior of this upscale shopping environment, we weren’t surprised that they needed a superb and multi-faceted invitation.
Some photos in this post: Street Sense.
What an amazing design project. It was so thoughtfully planned to integrate the recipient with the piece and the message. Never-the-less, all of the planning would be useless without the immaculate execution from highresolution. Bravo.