You won the lottery when you found each other, so send this cheeky save-the-date card to let guests share in your luck. After scraping off the paint with a penny, they'll hit the jackpot: your wedding date!
Tools and Supplies
- Ink-jet and laser printer
- 8 1/2-by-11-inch card stock in white or cream (you will print 2 cards per sheet)
- Craft knife and metal ruler
- Metallic acrylic paint (we used Golden Artist Colors acrylic paint in iridescent silver, $4.75, utrechtart.com)
- Liquid dish soap
- 1/4-inch-wide watercolor brush
- A7 envelopes (5 1/4 by 7 1/4 inches)
- Pennies
Basic How-To
1. Download our PDF file, and open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader (if you are using a Mac, use Reader instead of Apple's Preview application). Most browsers already include this program, but if you have trouble downloading the file or would like to upgrade Acrobat Reader, you can obtain the latest version of the software for free from Adobe's website.
2. Replace the placeholder text with your own (you only need to do this in one box; the form will automatically fill in the rest), and print onto card stock.
3. Use the craft knife and metal ruler to cut between the crop marks (do not cut all the way to the edges of the paper; this will leave the crop marks intact around all the edges to guide subsequent cuts).
4. Combine one part dish soap with two parts metallic acrylic paint. Paint neatly over the number in the center of the hearts with a thin layer. Let it dry thoroughly, about 1 hour, and then add a second layer. Let second coat dry thoroughly (about 1 more hour) before putting the cards in the envelopes.
5. Mail the card with a "lucky" penny for scratching (you will need extra postage for this).
I tried making these for my boyfriend for Valentine's Day (made my own template and everything--his prizes were dates), and I also had problems with them. When he tried scratching the cards, the paint wouldn't scratch off! I honestly think it's because of the dish soap--the paint seemed too slippery to come off successfully. Very disappointed, but I'm glad we didn't use these for anything too special. I'm going to redo them this weekend, but I'm not following these instructions.
I did these for our wedding - in two batches. The first batch went out with my Christmas cards, to all of my friends and family - and they didn't scratch. We followed the instructions to the letter... After finding out they didn't scratch, I changed the plan for the second batch and put a strip of Scotch tape over the numbers before painting. I had to do three coats, but it worked perfectly!
Take the extra time to put tape & an extra layer of paint and they'll work perfectly!
@ nanoka, my fiance and I are also on a tight budget and we had a lot of difficulty trying to get the paint to scratch off as well. After many trial and errors, we had a great soloution. We went to a self service Fed Ex/Kinkos office and laminated the card so that way when we applied the paint, it dried but easily scratched off with a coin because the laminate doesnt absorb the paint. We were very relieved. Hope this helps.
This is the most disappointing project ever! My fiance and I are on a very tight budget, and we fell in love with this idea. It took me 2 weeks to get the scratch off paint to work. I then proceeded to make our save the dates early, since I knew I was going to be busy when I needed to mail them out. Now, just a few days before I was going to mail them, I rechecked them and the paint no longer works, like they "expired". Now I have to figure something out last minute and am freaking out! BAD IDEA
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150315707624682&set=a.126091179681.108760.104324934681&type=3&theater
Here's a visual showing how the scratch off stickers look using this scratch off card template. So many have had trouble with the painting version, before you print, please test out one or two. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150315707624682&set=a.126091179681.108760.104324934681&type=3&theater
Any thoughts on what size scratch off- sticker to order? Also circle or heart shaped?
Try sticking contact paper onto the card and painting over the top as shown on this site: http://artmind-etcetera.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-make-scratch-off-lot...
I'm so mad I ever saw this in the magazine. Looks like a cute and creative idea, right? Well anyone who is thinking about making these should re-think. Complete waste of time, money and energy!!! I followed the directions exactly. Even tried using different paper types and using rubber cement in between the paint and the paper. THIS DOES NOT WORK. Do NOT waste your time!
Mcozz1 I am wondering the same thing you are. Does anyone know which hearts to order from the scratch and sniff site that will fit the best?? Thanks!!!
Ladies. What size did you all use for the scratch off stickers? Did it fit the hearts good or was it too small or too large. I just want to make sure that it doesnt look sloppy before I order them! Thank you so much your suggestions are very helpful and appreciated!!!
'One part' means one measurement. i.e. 1 cup (part) soap and 2 cups (parts) paint or 1 TBSP soap and 2 TBSP paint. etc.
I think this in an amazing idea and fun of coarse! I tried this on one just to get the hang of it, but unfortuantely it didn't work for me! Did I use too much soap? Or maybe too much paint?
what does 1 part soap and 2 parts paint mean? i love this idea but im a little confused as in what that means? can anyone help??
I am knee-deep in this project and super excited. I am planning to make 120. Any suggestions on how much paint I should purchase?
I just finished them today and they look AMAZING.
I took the idea from feedback to use rubber cement on the numbers before adding paint and that made it soooooo much better!
Instead of using envelopes I am sending them as post cards!
I found I got got a much more professional looking card by using scratch off stickers. So easy to use and very reasonable price. She has lots of color and shape options. too http://www.easyscratchoffs.com/
I JUST did these for my 11-11-11 wedding Save The Dates and they turned out great! LOTS of work to paint the hearts but they were a HIT! The only change I made was to use Photo paper instead of the card stock...The colors stayed vibrant under the paint
Great idea! I had problems getting them evenly sized and the same consistency. I found a faster, easier way with scratch off stickers from www.easyscratchoffs.com.
Ceramcoat or other latex acrylic might be an option. Comes in a million colors. Sounds like a very high amount of soap to be using though.
I too have tried doing this but I can't get it to do what they say it should. I didn't use the paint they used but if you did and it still doesn't work I don't think that's the problem. I put a very thin layer on and it warps the paper and makes it look crappy and when I let it dry, not only can you still see the number underneath even after 3 coats, it scratches not only the paint off (and not like a scratch off) it scratches the number underneath! Does anyone have any suggestions because right
For those of you wanting to customize colors--it looks like you need Adobe Illustrator to do anything more than edit the text of the pdf. If you're not lucky enough to own it yourself, chances are very good you know someone with it who would be kind enough to help you out.
I have bought the exact paint and soap and am still unsuccessful.
It looks very nice, but when it is dry and I attempt to scratch off, nothing happens. It is just as if I painted it. I was using cardstock
ANY SUGGESTIONS?
I LOVE this idea, but also wish l change the colors of the background. The light blue and pink are fine, but I would like it so much better if I could customize to our wedding colors! Please let us know if anyone knows how to do this!!
I love this idea! I was a little disappointed to not be able to customize the colors though. Has anyone else figured out how to change the colors to fit our wedding colors? I know it's not the end of the world but I would like it to be closer to our colors.
But I would suggest that before you produce this to test it out on a couple of different paper options from your local store to see what works best. That is what i did. The other key is to make sure that it really dries in between coats (I only needed two thin coats but if your font or ink is heavier you might need three) and that you allow it all to dry for a few hours before scratching it off. Hope this helps!
We tried this on a number of high quality papers ranging from very matte to very glossy. All the papers were card stock and from Paper Presentation and the scratch of worked on every paper type with the paint scratching off very easily and not ruining the card design. I never needed to use anything on top of the paper, under the paint.
Hi, I ma Melissa one of the editor's who produced this story. Hopefully I can help you guys out so that you can use this idea in your wedding. I am going to comment in a couple installments . . . first, make sure you use the exact paint and soap that I used. Palmolive unscented original Soap (the green stuff) and Golden Artist Colors acrylic paint in iridescent silver. And make sure your measurements are exact. 1 part soap to 2 parts paint.
If you put a thin layer of rubber cement over the number and then paint over it, it works! you have to use at least 3 layers of paint but it works! hope this is helpful:)
The paper used is probably a factor in how well the paint adheres and how easily it is scratched off without bringing the number and paper it is printed on with it. Try higher quality paper or paper with a slight finish on the surface???? Good luck, the idea is adorable if you can make it work.
I found the same thing - I looked up other tutorials on how to do this same idea and it was suggested to put a piece of "thin plastic" over top of the hidden message or date before painting on it. That could be a clear label, or even little squares of packing tape. Hope this helps!
Please help!! I have tried to make these and the paint does not scratch off correctly. It is very tough to even get off and then it takes the number off underneath. I love this design and I can't find it anywhere else! Please help!