An October planning reset can help when your stationery ideas have grown faster than your decisions. A brief is not a finished design. It is a shared description of the project that lets you and the designer judge options against the same priorities.
Put confirmed facts at the top
List the event date, location, intended invitation quantity and required pieces. Mark estimates and unresolved details explicitly. If different households receive different versions, explain the distinction early. This prevents a single sample layout from hiding a more complicated production need.
Explain the visual direction in plain language
Use a few descriptive words and a small number of references. Say what each reference contributes: a type style, a color relationship, a paper feeling or a sense of formality. Include anything you want to avoid, but keep the brief focused enough that the designer can make coherent choices.
Identify the decision-makers and timing
Clarify who will collect wording, who will review proofs and who will approve the final version. Ask about current production timing rather than carrying forward an estimate from an unrelated project. If the mailing date is firm, explain that constraint before choosing details that may affect the schedule.
- Confirm the event information and household count.
- List every proposed printed piece.
- Rank the design and printing features that matter most.
- Keep open questions in a separate, visible section.
A useful brief makes tradeoffs easier. When two attractive options appear, you can ask which better supports the agreed priorities rather than restarting the design conversation. Update the brief when the project changes so it remains a practical guide through proofing and production.
Make it your own
Explore our custom stationery design to see how your colors and wording can come together. Contact White Tie Designs to talk through your project, samples and current production timing.