Best Party Invitations in the UK: Where to Buy, How to Choose, and Top Tips for Memorable Invites

Why your invitation sets the tone

Think of an invitation as the trailer to your party — it gives a taste of what's coming and sells the experience. Whether you’re organising a kids’ birthday, a milestone anniversary, or a casual garden get-together, a great invite gets people excited and more likely to turn up. A clear, attractive invitation saves back-and-forth messages, reduces no-shows, and reflects the effort you’ve put into the event. Let’s make yours irresistible.

Types of invitations and when to use them

Not all invitations are created equal. Picking the right format depends on your guest list, budget, and vibe. Are your friends tech-savvy? Digital invites can be instant and eco-friendly. Want something tactile and classy? Printed invitations deliver that premium feel. Here’s a quick rundown to help you decide.

Printed invitations: classic and tangible

Printed invites are great when you want guests to keep the invitation as a keepsake or when your event needs a formal touch. Popular sizes include 5 x 7 inches for formal cards and 4 x 6 inches for postcards. You can choose textured paper, foiling, or raised ink to make the design pop — it’s like wrapping your event in a ribbon before anyone arrives.

Digital invitations: fast and flexible

Digital invitations are the go-to if you want speed, tracking, and less waste. Services let you send beautiful email invites or share via messaging apps, and many include RSVP tracking. They’re perfect for casual gatherings or when your guest list spans long distances.

DIY invitations: personal and budget-friendly

DIY invites let your creativity shine and are ideal for craft lovers. Buy blank card stock, stickers, stamps, or printable templates from craft stores, then assemble at home. This approach can save money and add a handcrafted charm — like giving guests a little piece of you with every invite.

Eco-friendly invitations: green without sacrificing style

If sustainability matters, look for recycled paper, seed paper (which guests can plant), or digital-only designs. Many UK suppliers offer FSC-certified paper and vegetable-based inks, so you can keep your carbon footprint small while still sending something stylish.

Top UK places to buy invitations (and what each is best for)

The UK market is full of great shops and platforms, each with its own strengths. Below are popular options, from big-name printers to crafty independents, so you can pick the one that matches your priorities — speed, customisation, price, or eco-credentials.

Moonpig — personalised photo invites with quick turnaround

Moonpig is famous for personalised photo cards and invites. If you want a simple, polished invite that features your photo and custom text, Moonpig’s intuitive editor makes it easy. Ideal for last-minute parties when you need something attractive in a hurry.

Funky Pigeon — fun designs and seasonal extras

Funky Pigeon is another strong choice for vibrant, playful designs. They specialise in photo-based invites and often offer matching party stationery like banners and badges. Great for birthdays where you want to match the whole party aesthetic without fuss.

Paperchase — stylish ready-made and craft supplies

Paperchase blends ready-made invitation designs with craft supplies for DIYers. If you want trendy prints, ribbons, and stickers all in one place, their stores and website are a solid stop. Perfect for people who want to add personal touches without starting from scratch.

Hobbycraft — the DIY HQ for crafters

Hobbycraft is the natural home for hands-on creators. You’ll find card blanks, envelopes, embellishments, and cutting tools. If you enjoy building an invite from the ground up — think layers, textures, and hand-applied details — Hobbycraft gives you all the materials to make it sing.

Card Factory — budget-friendly bulk invites

Card Factory is great when you need lots of invites without breaking the bank. They offer simple printed designs in packs, and often have seasonal deals. If you’re hosting a children’s party with a large guest list, this is a wallet-friendly option.

Vistaprint — custom printing for larger batches

Vistaprint excels at bulk custom printing with professional finishes. If you want to upload your own design or use a template and print in larger quantities, Vistaprint offers competitive pricing and a variety of paper stocks. Good for events where uniformity and quality matter.

Etsy UK — unique, handmade options from indie designers

Etsy connects you with independent designers who craft unique invitations — from watercolour prints to laser-cut cards. If you’re after something bespoke and artisanal, Etsy sellers often offer customisation and can work with you on small runs.

Notonthehighstreet — boutique and personalised finds

Notonthehighstreet is a curated marketplace for boutique stationery and personalised items. Many sellers create stylish, on-trend invites and matching accessories, making it ideal for more intimate, design-led events.

Party Delights / Party Pieces — themed invites and party bundles

Party Delights and Party Pieces specialise in themed partyware, including matching invitations, decorations, and tableware. If your party has a specific theme — superheroes, unicorns, retro — these stores make coordinating the whole look straightforward.

The Works — cheap and cheerful stationery options

The Works is handy for simple, low-cost stationery and craft materials. If you’re putting together a patchwork of DIY invites and need bulk basics like envelopes and coloured card, this is a practical stop that won’t hurt your budget.

WHSmith — convenient high-street availability

WHSmith offers straightforward invitation packs and basic craft supplies. Its high-street presence means you can pop in and pick up last-minute items, making it a convenient option for everyday needs.

Amazon UK — widest selection and rapid delivery

Amazon has practically every style under the sun, with printers, pre-cut card, and stationery bundles. Prime delivery can be a lifesaver when you’re on a tight schedule, and customer reviews help you gauge quality before buying.

Paper size, card weight and finishes explained (in inches)

Choosing the right paper size and weight is like choosing the right fabric for a dress — it affects how the invite feels and performs. Common sizes include 5 x 7 inches (classic greeting-card size), 4 x 6 inches (postcard-style), and 4.25 x 5.5 inches (a popular A2 size for smaller invites). Heavier card stock usually starts around 250 gsm, but since you asked for imperial units, think of weight in terms of feeling: light card is like a sheet from a magazine, while heavy card is closer to a postcard you’d send through the post.

Finishes that make a difference

Matte finishes give a modern, sophisticated look; gloss adds pop and makes photos shine; and textured or linen finishes lend a luxurious, tactile quality. Foiling and spot varnish add shine and dimension, perfect for special occasions. Choose finishes with your theme and audience in mind — you don’t want foil on a muddy garden party invite unless that’s the vibe!

Design tips that make invites read better and look sharper

Good design is part art, part practicality. Keep essential details front and centre: who, what, when, where, and RSVP instructions. Use hierarchy — big bold title for the event, smaller text for details — so guests can scan easily. And don’t overdo the fonts; two complementary fonts usually do the job. Think of your invite as a billboard: it needs to communicate quickly.

Using photos and illustrations

Photos work wonders for birthdays or personal events, but they need to be high-resolution to avoid pixelation. Illustrations and icons are great for themed events or minimalist designs. If you use a photo, make sure it’s bright and well-cropped — a blurry group shot won’t do your invite justice.

Colour and typography choices

Colours set mood: pastels for baby showers, bold colours for kids’ parties, muted tones for formal events. Choose typefaces that match the tone — a playful script for a kids’ invite, a clean sans-serif for a modern event. Contrast is your friend; dark text on a light background is easiest to read.

Timing, quantities and budget planning

How far ahead should you order? For printed invites, aim for 3–6 weeks before the event to allow time for printing and postage. For weddings or large formal events, 8–12 weeks is safer. Order a small batch extra — invites get lost, kids get added last minute, and you’ll want spares for keepsakes. When budgeting, factor in envelopes, postage, and any optional extras like RSVP cards or inserts.

Mix-and-match strategies for flexibility

You don’t have to pick just one approach. A popular mix is printed main invites with digital RSVP reminders, or a few premium printed invites for VIP guests and digital versions for the rest. Mixing formats helps you manage costs while keeping the special touches where they matter most.

Printing pitfalls to avoid

Watch your margins — the last thing you want is text cut off at the edge. Always order a sample if possible to check paper quality and colours. If you’re printing photos, use high-resolution images and confirm colour profiles with the printer. Lastly, double-check every detail: a misspelled venue or wrong time can derail the best-planned party.

Final checklist before you hit “order”

Before placing a bulk order, make sure you’ve: confirmed guest names and addresses, checked spelling and event details, tested the design on screen and as a physical sample, chosen the right envelope size, and accounted for postage costs. Treat the checklist like a safety net — it saves stress and last-minute panic.

Wrapping it up: pick the right supplier for your priorities

Choosing where to buy your party invitations comes down to what matters most: speed, price, customisation, or sustainability. High-street names and big online printers are great for quick and budget-friendly orders, while marketplaces and boutique sellers shine when you want something unique. If you enjoy crafting, pop into a store for materials and make it yourself. However you proceed, a little planning goes a long way toward making your invites memorable.

Conclusion

Invitations are a small detail that create big impressions. From picking the right size in inches to choosing a supplier that matches your budget and style, the options in the UK are vast and flexible. Whether you go digital, DIY, or printed by a pro, follow the tips above and you’ll send out invites that excite your guests and set the right tone for your event. Ready to design your perfect invite?