I am SO EXCITED to create pretty paper goods for your wedding day! Please visit the DESIGN PROCESS page to see how things will go, and to answer some basic timeline questions you may have.
Once we get into the design process, here is how the proofing and editing process will go. It is important to explain this in advance, because we are starting your CUSTOM WEDDING INVITATION designs from scratch!
THE INVITATION PROOFING PROCESS
Once you have signed off on the working estimate, and your 50% deposit is paid, the invitation design process begins! You will receive four (4) color PDF proofs to review. They will all be intentionally different in style, to show you a variety of options. Based on your feedback, you will then have TWO (2) rounds of revisions FREE of charge. Any edits beyond the two rounds will be $25 per round.
If the scope of your invitation design should change dramatically from any of the four (4) initial concepts, you may request new designs, for $50 each. The reason for this charge is that I take a lot of time and thought to design your first four concepts, based on our chat, your questionnaire, and any other inspiration you send to me.
APPROVING YOUR SUITE
Once you finalize your invitation design*, the other items in your suite (RSVP Card, Details Card, Other Inserts, Envelopes, etc.) will be designed to match. You will have TWO (2) rounds of revisions FREE of charge. Any edits beyond the two rounds will be $25 per round.
Once I have received email approval from you, you will receive what I call PRESS PROOFS. These are individual pages showing each and every printed item in your suite, with all final specifications listed at the top. Consider this your last chance to review art and specs before we hit the presses. Once I get approval on the Press Proofs, we head into production! If you chose to have digitally imprinted addresses from an Excel sheet, you will get a Guest Addresses Proof to review before Envelopes actually print. Consider this your last chance to review and make edits to any addresses.
Please be aware that any delays caused by you, or approvals that happen beyond the production timeline schedule, will postpone your estimated completion and mailing date.
*CHANGES after final design approval will be charged $100 and require a new proof. If in mid-production, fees may be assessed to order new materials. Rush fees will be applied if changes or additions are made or if client deadlines are not met. This will also push your delivery / mailing deadline.
ASSEMBLY / DELIVERY
PLEASE NOTE: The balance on your invoice MUST BE PAID before your finished paper products are mailed to you, or put in the mail (if you chose Assembly as an add-on). Should final payment and/or design approval not take place, customer forfeits retainer and contract is terminated. Payment can be made by cash, personal check or Venmo.
DELIVERY: If you are assembling your invitations yourself, your printed suite will be hand-packed and delivered to you via the method previously decided upon in your estimate. Susan Wilson Designs is not responsible for any damage during shipping. I will carefully package everything to avoid damage, but if your job suffers damage in transit, you must file a claim against the carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.) to recover the value. I can try to re-print the order as quickly as possible as a service to you, but I will have to charge you the full price for replacement. I do fully insure all packages.
ASSEMBLY: If your project involves assembly on my end, I will assemble the suites within the time frame stated on your production timeline. Sometimes they mail sooner than anticipated, but please don’t expect that. You will be notified when the happy mail has happened!
If you would like me to assemble them for you and it is not mentioned before print, assembly charges will be billed to you.
TO ENSURE A SMOOTH PROCESS, HERE ARE SOME OTHER POLICIES OF NOTE
*I AM A DESIGNER and respect the work of other invitation artists. I am excited to review your paper inspirations; however, I will not copy another designer’s work.
*EMAIL is not foolproof. We will follow the timeline listed on the first page of the proof. If you think you are missing an email from me, please contact to follow up.
*LETTERPRESS AND FOIL PRINTING is through a trusted outside studio. It’s a handmade process, and ink colors and impression may vary slightly between print runs and differ slightly from samples in the studio.
*DIGITAL PRINTING is a machine run process, but color is adjusted by eye. I will color match as closely as we can to a pantone or letterpress ink, but there may be slight variation.
*DIGITAL ADDRESSING guest lists must be submitted upon proof approval. I will send you an Excel template as this format is required. Your addresses will be printed exactly as you submit them, so please spell out or abbreviate, as desired. I do not review addresses when I set up your Mail Merge file.
*ESTIMATES are created on a per-project basis and may change with updates to design, quantities, paper choices, or other specifications.
QUANTITIES: All projects that are sent to print must be in an increment of 5 for the quantity. For envelopes, I automatically add an additional 15% for addressing errors, which is included in your initial invoice. If you would like to change your quantity after receiving your final order or after signing your final design release, additional FEES MAY APPLY.
CANCELLATION BY ME FOR ANY REASON
Susan Wilson Designs cannot be responsible for unforeseen circumstances, work-stoppages, "acts of God", which may make it impossible for me to complete your job in a reasonable amount of time. My complete obligation to you may be discharged in its entirety by my refund of your deposit, without prejudice, and disclaiming any secondary consequences or costs that you may incur. I is my intention to complete every job to completion, but if there is a substantial reason that I choose not to move forward with any part of your project, a refund will be assessed and you will be required to sign a refund form with agreed refund amount.
CANCELLATION BY YOU FOR ANY REASON
If you decide to cancel the job prior to any part of it going to press, you agree to forfeit your deposit. Cancellations after the job has been sent to press will not be accepted. You cannot cancel any part of your job once the final design release contract has been signed. All quantities of each item provided in the final design release are covered by this clause upon acceptance of this contract. Any quantities lowered or items cancelled are at the sole discretion of Susan Wilson Designs and will constitute forfeiture of that portion of the invoice.