Business Invitations Range from Fun to Formal

When creating business invitations, it's important to first think about the purpose of the invitation. Is your business sending an invitation to a more formal event, such as a retirement party for a long-time employee? Are you creating eye-catching invitations for a grand opening or special promotion? The following will help you with all types of business invitations:

Make Promotional Invitations Fun, Colorful

I'm starting with invitations you would send to invite customers, potential customers or the community to an event at your business. These are the types of business invitations you'll most commonly use.

• Promotional and event invitations are often part of a marketing effort. They're not formal, printed invitations, such as the type you would receive for a wedding or anniversary party. Since they're to promote your company's event, they should be more creative, fun and colorful than a formal invitation.
• While promotional invitations don't have a strict format, you should always include this basic information:
  • The name of your company
  • The name or type of the event
  • The address, date and time
  • Rain date (if needed)
  • Any specials or giveaways being offered during the event
  • Company phone number (in case the recipient has questions or you require an RSVP)
  • Your company logo
• Create and print your own invitations or have them printed professionally. Online templates are available to help you design flyer or postcard type invitations. One you might try is Microsoft Online's marketing flyer templates. If you use templates, you'll need to decide between using your own inkjet or laser printer or a professional print shop. The deciding factor should be quantity. With the high cost of printer cartridges, you could come out ahead using a professional printer. At the very least, get a price quote.
• As another option, purchase pre-designed paper, postcards or notecards and print your invitation text on them. Again do this yourself or use a professional. Buy pre-designed paper at any office supply store or look at online resources, like Paper Direct. Browse the paper themes for one that coordinates with your event. For example, if you're having a grand opening with a beach party theme, select tropical-themed papers. At Paper Direct, when you order, you can purchase an emailed template for that paper for a small additional charge. Paper Direct also offers a limited number of styles you can design and order online through their Custom Print Shop.
• Consider including a small map if your company is new. This is especially important for grand opening business invitations.
• Business invitations for promotions or events don't require as much advance notice as a formal event. Send it early enough for recipients to put the event on their calendar, but not so early that they forget the event by the time it arrives. Usually two to four weeks lead time is the best.

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Stick to Traditional for Formal Invitations

Use formal business invitations for occasions not intended for marketing purposes. An example would be a long-time employee's retirement party with dinner in a fancy restaraunt. The co-workers, family members and possibly vendors receiving such an invitation would expect it to be more traditional.

• In my opinion, formal invitations should be professionally printed. That doesn't mean you can't shop around for the best price. While some office supply stores do sell blank formal invitations, the results will usually be less than professional. If your company truly wants to host a special occasion for the guest of honor, I would recommend heading to the professional printer for formal invitations.
• Formal invitations should always include:
  • The name of host (your company)
  • The guest of honor's name
  • The location, address, date and time
  • If refreshments or dinner will be served
  • If dinner is part of the occasion, state the time it will be served
  • Any preferred dress, such as business casual or semi-formal
  • RSVP if you expect a confirmation of attendance and the date you need the RSVP
  • The phone number to call for the RSVP
• For very formal invitations, include a reply card and self-addressed, stamped envelope.
• Formal invitations are sent with a greater lead time, since they may be going to out-of-town guests. It's usually best to allow several months, to enable guests to put the event on their schedule.

Use These Sample Business Invitations

Use these samples to create your own formal or casual business invitations.


Have fun and enjoy your event!