The Kentucky Derby Invitations
Luxury invitation design featuring custom wax seal, UV spot gloss, soft touch aqueous coating, and ribbon details for premium event experience
Premium Print Excellence
2018
Creative Team Lead – Premium Print & Event Branding
Humana
The Challenge
Create luxury Kentucky Derby party invitations that would set the tone for an exclusive event experience, utilizing premium print techniques to convey elegance and prestige.
Objectives
- Design invitations that convey luxury and exclusivity
- Utilize premium print techniques to create tactile impact
- Create cohesive event branding that extends to all touchpoints
- Deliver high-end experience from first moment of invitation receipt
My Responsibilities
- Design Direction: Developed creative concept and visual design for invitation suite
- Print Specification: Selected and coordinated premium print techniques and materials
- Production Oversight: Managed relationships with specialty print vendors
- Quality Control: Ensured exceptional execution of complex print production
The Solution
Designed an invitation suite featuring custom wax seal, UV spot gloss accents, soft touch aqueous coating, and elegant ribbon closure, creating a multi-sensory unboxing experience that set expectations for the event.
Project Gallery
Complete invitation suite - Welcome booklet, 3-day itinerary, My Old Kentucky Home lyrics, and wax-sealed envelope
Invitation opened showing Welcome booklet with Churchill Downs photography and personalized letter
Detail of sealed envelope with custom rose wax seal and satin ribbon closure
Custom rose wax seals with stamp kit - handcrafted production element
Production run - stacked envelopes with UV spot gloss rose pattern and wax seals
Results & Impact
- Delivered premium invitation experience that exceeded client expectations
- Successfully coordinated complex multi-technique print production
- Created memorable first impression driving event anticipation and attendance
- Established template for future premium event communications
Key Takeaway
Premium print design is about creating an experience, not just a communication. This project showed how thoughtful material selection and production techniques can transform an invitation into an event preview.