So, I've been in crazy invitation mode for the past few weeks. I've searched for hours and hours through google and various other places. I've ordered a ton of samples and I sent myself an email with all of the info that I compiled. I figured I should post it here in hopes that it helps to save someone time when they are searching for pocketfolds. I'm purchasing pocketfolds from paper and more, pearl card stock from cards and pockets (for invite and inserts), ruby card stock from paper and more, and pearl envelopes from cards and pockets (the best combination of price and colors for me).
If you're on a budget, I'd stay away from Envelopments brand for pocketfolds-they overcharge and I was able to get the same graphite color from paper and more for less tha half the price (I had samples from both companies and couldn't tell the difference in color or thickness).
I'm not very DIY or crafty but I am on a budget, and I never thought I could afford pocketfold. But I did some hunting and opted to do all of the research on the paper/pocketfolds etc on my own and then I found someone to print, cut, and assemble them for me. Her fee is about half as much as I was quoted elsewhere and she's been very helpul and responsive via email. Her website is junemoonink.com and her name is Stefanie (junemoonkink@gmail.com)-I got her name from the RI boards. So my total price for 80 invites (5x7 pocketfold, invitation mat, invitation, envelope, and 3 inserts-all in metallic) and printing, cutting, and assembling is $292 or $3.65 per invite.
I need 80 invites so some of this is priced for the total amount, rather than per invite. Oh I used cards and pockets breakdown to approximate how much cardstock I'd need for the invite (1/2 pg card stock), invitation mat (1/2 pg card stock), and inserts (1 pg card stock for 3 inserts). Here's my research:
cards and pockets-$138 for 80 smoke pockets, cream invitation, pansy mat, 2 inserts and rsvp, and pearl envelope with inivtation kit ($1.04 per kit but more for different colors/metallic etc); or approximately the same price with buying everything separately and going with metallic inserts/invite/mat/envelope from cards and pockets.
archivers-yours truly brand-approximately $65.97 per 25 invites-$197.91 for 75 pockets, invitations, mat, precut 2 inserts and rsvp, NO envelope. (these come in sets of 25 and the pocketfolds are sold separately (39.99 per 25) from the invitation mats (5.99 per 25) which are sold separately from the precut inserts and invitation (19.99 per 25).
envelopments pockets 5x7 signature side (purchase in 10s)-all metallic-pocket, cardstock: $205 ($245 with envelopes); all matte: pocket and cardstock: $169 ($202 with envelopes); ($1.70 matte, $2.00 metallic pocketfold; 44 cents matte, 60 cents metallic 8.5x11 cardstock)
envelopments envelopes (purchase in 10s): 42 cents for matte, 50 cents for metallic and 18 cents for clear
mygatsby.com pockets (purchase in 25's): $1.20 for standard pocket; $1.40 for metallic pocket-save $20 over Archivers pockets
paperandmore.com pockets: 84 cents each for metallic ($41.99 for 50 cards); save $77 over archivers; 27 cent metallic envelopes; 30.99 for 100 sheets metallic cardstock
Cards and pocketswas the cheapest for pretty much everything, but they didn't have a color that I wanted for the pocketfolds or invitation mat. Also, a lot of the cost is determined by whether the companies sells cardstock in quantities or 10, 25, 50, or 100. So it'll depend on what quantity you need. I priced everything out for my top choice, least expensive choice, and a combo which is what I went with. I'm so sorry this is so long, but I hope that it at least helps one person!