Help with Buying Ribbon
Although we would consider ourselves as ribbon experts with a very large range to choose from , we recognise that we cannot stock everything or provide everybodies perfect ribbon. Whether you choose to buy your ribbon from us or another good ribbon supplier, here are a few tips.
Ribbon is an important decoration in any wedding planning. Very few single items can unite all aspects of the preparations for your wedding day. From the initial invitation to your guests through to the order of service, the wedding flowers and the wedding reception . Ribbon can provide a common theme.
Buying Ribbon
If you wish to buy ribbon by searching the Internet you need to use the same basic rules as searching for any other product.
Try to be as specific as possible with your search terms. Put in "Ribbon" on Google and you get everything from Printer Ribbons to Charitable Campaigns using ribbon as a "badge". Try "Chiffon ribbon" or better still "Chiffon Ribbon UK". The more you narrow the search the better will be the results.
There are many different types of ribbon available on the Internet and through your High Street retailer. Whatever type you choose the same principles apply:
- Decide upon a colour theme. There are literally 100's of colours available. However if you choose an unusual colour for the brides maids dresses remember you may not be able to get an exact ribbon colour match.
- Buy from an expert. They will give you sound advice and let you take a sample away. Internet sites are very good in this direction. Ring them up - talk it through and get samples. Some sites will do a colour matching service – send them a snippet of material to match for you.
- To get a good ribbon colour match let your supplier know the PANTONE Colour Number. This is the colour numbering used by every product so that, for instance it is possible to match the exact colour in any part of the world. Put in Pantone in your search engine to see. You can download a complete colour chart from the Pantone Web site and just quote the number to your ribbon supplier. They can then see how close they can get to your exact colour.
- Make sure your supplier holds good stocks. You do not want to overbuy and waste ribbon, however if you do not have enough, you need to be sure you can easily get more. Every week we talk to brides-to-be worried about the local hobbie' shop or Internet company that has run out of their ribbon and it will be another 6 weeks to get in.
- A golden rule. Do not underestimate how hard it is it meet your exact ribbon requirement. Leave it a week before you want to send out your invites and you may be creating a problem – plan in advance.
- Ribbon can be bought by the metre or by the roll. If you only want a short length of ribbon many shops will sell you this as will as many Internet sites. However expect to pay more. Carnmeal only sells ribbon by the roll. Usually 20 or 25 metres of ribbon. You can get rolls with up to 250 metres of ribbon; however these are usually by special order.
Buying ribbon for your wedding is not any different from any of your other wedding planning. If carried out in advance it can be a pleasant and rewarding part of you wedding arrangements.
Ribbon Quality.
There are numerous types of ribbon all of which come in varying qualities. Be warned – the cheapest is not always the lowest quality and therefore the most expensive is not always the best. It is very much a personal choice.
Always get a sample of the ribbon you want. Most good companies will send you a snippet free of charge.
Ensure that your chosen ribbon has sealed edges, so will not fray along it's length. Most ribbons will fray a little when cut across their width. To prevent this try cutting at an angle.
Most ribbon today is made from man made material. Gone are the days of silk ribbon. This does mean they are relatively inexpensive, come in many more designs and wonderful colours. The most common are Chiffon Ribbons and Double Edged Satin Ribbon. After that there is a multitude of different designs and patterns.
Please visit our ribbon section to find out more.
Or visit our Ribbon Information page.
