State of the Art is our not-so-regular series where we highlight the work of those in our industry who knock our socks off.  We are proud to be part of such a vibrant, creative industry and strive to create work as excellent as that which we highlight here.

Wedding Save the Dates offer couples a chance to shine.  Because they are sent anywhere from four to twelve months prior to the wedding, couples often haven’t had the time to finish the meticulous theme planning that makes our favorite weddings favorites for a reason.  This means the Save-the-Date is a wonderful opportunity to show a couple’s personality and creativity even if the rest of the stationery suite (to follow) is more conservative or classic.  Here are a few of our favorites (click on the photos for credits.  Remember: this is not our work, it’s work we love!):

A classic look from Bespoke Press.  Even though I live in Florida, I’m a midwesterner, born and bred.  Autumn trees make me swoon.

Speaking of trees, check this one out from Studio on Fire.  This one was designed by the groom himself!

I can’t get over how beautiful this hand-written blindpress job from Gus & Ruby Letterpress is!  If you’ve never heard of it, blindpress is a letterpress technique that does not use ink, leaving the impression, but no pigment.  Stunning effect.

I love the inclusion of a golf tee (and the fact that everything’s boxed) in this Save-the-Date for Melissa DePasquale.  Studio on Fire printed the card and Melissa printed the argyle box lining herself.

I’m almost giddy to say I have one of these sitting on my desk right now.  The amazing folks at Dependable Letterpress sent an amazing sample pack over and it included this fine piece.  I love the way handwriting translates to letterpress!  This simple piece (and nice pun) makes such a big statement!

You’ve got to click on the picture and see the rest.

Not every project has to be letterpressed!  These wonderful screen-printed S-t-Ds were designed by the bride and groom at Three Steps Ahead.  I’m particularly fond of the split-fountain technique used.

Can you believe these were DIY?!  Rachel Wiles, the bride, designed these and printed them on these wild-looking handkerchiefs.

I love when unexpected things are stitched.  The groom did a great job of recounting the process of creation on this one.  The other side’s screen printed.

And now for something completely different….