Watercolor Washes: How to Add Artistic Flair to DIY Wedding Invitations
- Karina Gaio
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
Inspired by our Tropical Chic Paradise suite, this guide is for couples and creatives who love painterly textures and tropical color stories — and want to bring that breezy, bespoke vibe to their own stationery.
With the right paper, tools, and a little imagination, watercolor effects can add movement, softness, and one-of-a-kind beauty to your invitations — all from the comfort of your kitchen table.
Photo: Veronica Costa Weddings
What Makes Watercolor Special?
Watercolor washes lend themselves to unique expression. No two cards will look exactly alike, which is exactly the point. This technique brings:
Organic, hand-painted beauty
A sense of movement and lightness
Easy layering with digital designs or printed text
A chance to experiment with color stories before committing to a full suite
Whether you’re creating your base design or enhancing a pre-printed invite, watercolor adds dimension that’s hard to fake — and hard to forget.
What You’ll Need
Get the look with our curated Watercolor DIY kit:
Paper: Watercolor-Friendly Cardstock (holds pigment without warping)
Envelope: Burnt Orange A7 Envelopes for a tropical pop
Liners: Peach and Pink Envelope Liners for a layered, painterly finish
Inkjet Printer: Epson Workforce Pro WF-4820 (ideal for combining print + paint techniques)
Watercolor Pencils: Derwent Watercolor Pencils for fine control
Watercolor Markers: Brush Marker Set for looser washes or bolder effects
Timeless Impress Tip: Test, Layer, and Let It Breathe
Always test your colors and blending technique on a spare sheet first.
Layer light to dark for a dreamy ombré effect — especially pretty for destination weddings or beach themes.
Let your painted layer dry completely before adding text or embellishments.
You can paint the background before printing, or add washes around your printed text for a halo-like glow. Try using painter’s tape to mask off clean lines for modern edges.
Want More?
Browse more guides in this creative DIY series:
Karina Recommends
Every product featured here is handpicked based on years of experience designing bespoke wedding stationery. I only recommend tools and materials I’ve used or would confidently use in my own work. By shopping through these curated links, you’re not only supporting your creative journey — you’re also supporting mine. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
A portion of all proceeds goes to UNICEF, helping us extend the spirit of thoughtful design to causes that matter. Thank you for being part of this creative, conscious community.
— Karina
Comments