Ordering Process
Step One: Consultation
The creation of your custom stationery begins with a consultation by phone, email or in person. Your consultation is complimentary for one-hour with one of our senior designers. During this consultation, the designer will get to know more about you and your special event. This would be your opportunity to review our designs and discuss your own style and preferences, color, or theme.You will be able to bring forth your own ideas and vision, while our designer will work with you to make your vision a reality for your stationery. At this time, we will also want to know what stationery items you will be ordering and how many of each item you will need. We can help you determine amounts once we know about how many guests you plan to invite.
Step Two: Choosing Paper Crew
Within 3 days of your consultation, you will be sent an emailed .pdf contract with pricing based on your invitation design concept. Once the conract has been reviewed and approved, please sign and return it to Paper Crew. We welcome your comments and will happily make changes to this proposal if necessary.
Before any design work can begin, it is necessary for us to receive your signed contract with a 50 percent deposit, payable by certified checks, international money orders, and major credit cards and debit cards through paypal (you do not need an account to send a payment via Paypal) .
Step Three: The Design Process
Once we have received your signed contract and deposit, the design process will begin! You will be required to give us the wording for each card in your stationery set via email BEFORE the design process can begin. For ideas or samples of different wording, please view our WORDING sample link.
The complete design process will depend on the intricacy of your design and size of your order. We can accommodate most schedules. Rush orders can be accommodated at an extra cost.
The first draft of your design will be emailed in a color .pdf to you. The colors, paper and printing process will be outlined as well. This is your opportunity to make any edits or additional design changes.
Step Four: Revisions/Proofs
We require that ALL revisions/proofs to be made directly on the proof. EACH proof will need a check mark next to either 1) OK TO PRINT or 2) CORRECTIONS NEEDED, PROOF REQUIRED as well as a signature and date. Please note that proofs will not be processed if returned incomplete. We prefer that proofs be sent via email as it allows for less revision errors. However we can also receive them via fax (562.997.9299) or by mail.
Revisions/Proofs can take up to 5 business days to complete. Proofs are completed in the order that they are received. Once we have incorporated your changes, we will email you a second .pdf file to approve or edit.
A final draft will then be sent for approval for any last edits or changes. At this time, you must approve the proof by selecting "OK TO PRINT" on the proof with your signature and date. Any changes beyond these two editing rounds will cost $50 each proof.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROOFING
Please - carefully! - proof your design files during every step of the design process. Once you give the final written approval of yoru design, Paper Crew is not responsible for formatting and/or typographical errors on the final product. All errors, including spelling, punctuation, layout, format, typestyle, and/or wording, are the full responsibility of the client. No exceptions. If you should choose to reprint due to errors of any kind, you are responsible for 100 percent of the reprint, materials, reproduction and labor costs.
TEMPLATES
Some stationery will require you to fill out various templates. Please go to our Download Page for downloadable templates and more.
CANCELLATION AGREEMENT
If you should cancel this agreement before production begins, Paper Crew will retain the 50 percent deposit and any materials purchased. If you should cancel this agreement after production begins, Paper Crew will retian 100 percent of the contract and any materials purchased.
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Etiquette
How should I word my invitation?
Etiquette is intended to make life easier, not more difficult. That’s why it can be a useful guide to staging emotion-laden events such as weddings. But sometimes traditional protocol just doesn’t rise to the contemporary occasion.
It was much simpler when the bride’s parents hosted the wedding and issued the invitation. Today, families are more complex and models of marriage more diverse – and those changes are reflected in the language of wedding stationery. Don’t hesitate to write a message that is a true reflection of you and your situation and that expresses your own understanding of your commitment.
The only must-haves?
•Your names
•The date and time of the ceremony
•The location of the ceremony and the location of the reception
Please view samples on our Wording page.
A timeline for ordering and mailing your Wedding Invitations
The following guide will help you organize the process of preparing and sending your invitations. Sit down with a calendar, mark the date of your ceremony, and work backward from there.
Six to 12 months in advance
Send save-the-date cards six months in advance – or up to 12 months in advance if yours is a destination. Is your wedding less than a year away? No problem. Just start as soon as you can.
Before you order your invitations, you’ll need to determine
• The number of invitations required. Couples and families receive only one. But if an adult child (over the age of 18) still lives at home, you may wish to send him or her an individual invitation.
• The date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception
• Who is hosting, and how they want their names to appear
• To whom the RSVPs should be sent. (That would be you, if the guest list is your responsibility.)
• Your wedding theme or color palette. If you want the save-the-date cards to match, this needs to be selected even earlier.
• If you will include a map or directions card
• Your budget
It’s a good idea to order at least 10 extra invitations. They’ll come in handy in case of damaged mail or addressing errors, and they can serve as reminders for your florist, officiant and wedding planner.
Four to six months in advance
Order your wedding invitations and book your calligrapher.
While your stationery is in production, review your guest list and organize it for your calligrapher. Check the type of format he or she prefers. Typically, the list needs to be alphabetized or numbered in a Microsoft Word document or in an Excel spreadsheet.
Be meticulous: Returned mail will cost you time and money.
Two to four months in advance
Mail your invitations eight weeks before the big date – or 10 to 12 weeks in advance if it’s a destination wedding.
Once you have a complete invitation in hand, weigh it at the post office. Never assume that standard postage will be enough! Inserts and special stock are heavy – and nothing would be worse than having your invitations returned because of inadequate postage.
Your Wedding Stationery Checklist
The wedding stationery ensemble comprises an array of coordinated pieces; your selections will reflect the formality, size and budget of your occasion. To determine what you will need, it helps to understand the functions of all the pieces in the ensemble.
Save-the-Date Cards
The save-the-date card is the first official announcement of your wedding date. This piece can be very informal; it’s sometimes sent as a postcard to save money. Ideally, it will match other items in your ensemble. If you know your wedding colors, use them. If you haven't chosen your colors but know the theme, use a design element to tie these cards to your wedding.
Your save-the-date card should include:
• Your names
• The wedding date
• The location, if you know it, so that out-of-town guests can begin making travel arrangements
• A phrase such as “invitation to follow."
• The URL of your wedding website
Accommodations Cards
This piece is optional, but it's a smart choice for destination weddings or if you're expecting lots of out-of-town guests. Enclose it with your save-the-date cards to help your guests book their travel and lodging.
It might include
• Hotels near the ceremony and reception sites
• Airfare or other transportation information
• Maps of the area
If you're limiting invitation costs, include this information on your wedding website and use the save-the-date card to direct your guests there.
Wedding invitations
The wedding invitation is the centerpiece of your stationery ensemble.
It should feature the following key information.
• The names of the hosts (traditionally, the parents)
• The names of the bride and groom
• The day, date and time of the ceremony, as well as the location
The invitation is accompanied by the following, all enclosed within the outer envelope.
• An unsealed inner envelope
• A reception card, especially if the reception will take place at location other than that of the ceremony. The date, place, and time of the reception should be included.
• An RSVP or reply card, with a self-addressed, stamped envelope
• A map or a directions card indicating ceremony, reception and event sites and nearby hotels.
Events or Itinerary Card
A destination wedding or weekend-long celebration calls for an events card. It details planned activities, such as sailing or tea barbeque, so that your guests can pack accordingly. Include boxes for guests to check off the events they want to attend, and ask them to return the events card with their response card.
Rehearsal Dinner Invitations
Traditionally, the parents of the groom issue this invitation. Because this isn’t your responsibility, it's not necessary that it match your wedding invitations. Discuss this invitation with your future-in-laws, and let them determine how to proceed.
Menus
At a formal, seated dinner at a banquet table, a menu is customarily placed at each setting. If you’re using numerous small tables, it's acceptable to have just one menu at each table. The menu may also be incorporated into the individual place cards.
Menus should include:
• A description of what will be served. (If you’re serving a special dish, you may wish to explain its significance.)
• Wine and beverage choices
• If you’re serving cocktails, a list of options or the ingredients of your signature drink
Escort Cards
Seating cards tell guests where to sit, and the options for doing so are endless. You might tie them to a tree with ribbons in your wedding colors, pin them to a decorated board or place them among a bed of flowers so that each guest can pick one upon entrance.
Each seating card must display the guest's name and his or her table number.
Table Cards
Identify each table with a name or number to help guests find their seats. Creative signs add to the festivity; use clever names for the tables or designs that reflect your wedding’s theme. Print the text in dark colors, as reception lighting is often dim. The cards can be tented or displayed in holders.
Place Cards
Traditionally, place cards are arranged at the head of each place setting. But there are many creative ways to show your guests to their seats. You might hang the cards from ribbons attached to the backs of chairs. Or attach them to an object related to your wedding theme. For example, if the reception is at an orchard, tie each name to the stem of an apple. For a garden wedding, lean the cards against tiny bud vases.
Another idea: Coordinate the colors of the place cards with the entrées. You can choose pale green for the vegetable dish, pink for the salmon, and so on. This will enliven your table, and the waiters will thank you!
Favor Tags and Cards
Many couples have favor baskets or bags at the reception or waiting for guests in their hotel rooms. Tags on these gifts typically include
• A personal message, such as "Thank you for celebrating with us!"
• Your names
• The date of your wedding
If you're making a charitable donation to celebrate your marriage, the favor tag is ideal for mentioning the charity you’ve designated.
Custom Signs
For a fully personalized or themed event, many couples display customized signs at the reception. These signs can indicate buffet selections, cocktail choices that aren’t on the menu, and the men's and ladies' rooms.
Thank-You Cards
Order thank-you cards in anticipation of early gifts, and to thank bridesmaids and the host of your bridal shower. Traditionally, these have "thank you" on the front and space inside for your personal, hand-written note. This card also provides a good opportunity for sharing your new address. |
Shipping and Handling
Step One: Consultation
Our standard methods of domestic (U.S. and Canada) shipping are FedEx Home Delivery (to residences) and FedEx Ground Service (to offices). You can calculate the typical delivery from when your order ships using the FedEx transit time map below.
Once your order ships, you will receive e-mail confirmation with a FedEx tracking number so that you can track your shipment and make arrangements to receive the package.” When planning your order, be sure to take into account unforeseen FedEx delays, holidays, weekends and weather-related delays.
Rush delivery also is available, according to the following chart. Again, please take into account possible delays due to holidays and inclement weather.
DELIVERY |
SELECT |
| First thing the next morning |
FedEx First Overnight |
| The morning of the next business day |
FedEx Priority Overnight |
| The afternoon of the next business day |
FedEx Standard Overnight |
| Within two business days |
FedEx 2-day |
| Within three business days |
FedEx Express Saver |
Orders for international and special-delivery addresses (e.g., APO) are shipped by UPS, FedEx and the United States Postal Service.
Clients who choose FedEx International Priority will receive their stationery within two to three business days, in most cases. With FedEx International Economy, you will receive your order within five to six business days, in most cases.
Please note that Saima Says Design is not responsible for any international customs and duties that may be imposed on orders shipped abroad.
Please note:
• The map above is a general representation of transit times for FedEx Ground shipments to commercial destinations. In limited areas, transit times may differ between shipments to commercial and residential destinations. For specific transit time information from one ZIP/Postal code to another, please go to Get Rates & Transit Times under the Ship tab on fedex.com.
• FedEx Ground business days are Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). FedEx Home Delivery business days are Tuesday through Saturday (excluding holidays).
Example: A package shipped via FedEx Ground on Monday with a transit schedule of 2 business days, (not including the day the package is shipped) would be expected for delivery on Wednesday. A package shipped on Friday with a 2-day transit schedule would be expected for delivery the following Tuesday. |
Customization
INK FAQS
What ink colors do you offer?
You may choose a custom ink color by supplying us with the Pantone number or physical color swatch.
PAPER FAQS
What types of papers do you offer?
We offer any paper you desire. If you want we'll get it for you! Our standard papers range from linen to laid, smooth to textured, 20lb. text to 160lb. double thick stock and metallic to transparent. There's too many to choose from! We offer paper from the finest paper mills, like Neenah, Carnival, Mohawk, Beckett, Crane's and Strathmore. For the environmentally conscience we offer papers that are 100% Recycled, 100% Post-consumer Waste, Processed Chlorine Free Manufactured with electricity that is offset with Green-e certified renewable energy certificates. FSC certified and ancient forest friendly. We also offer 100% cotton (tree-free) environmentally friendly papers.
I have a particular paper that I would like to use for my invitations. Can you order it for me?
We carry a large amount of paper in-house, but if you find that your paper is not in our swatches, we can check availability with our suppliers and order a custom paper for you. Please note that a service charge of $40 will apply, in addition to the cost of the paper. Please note that you will also be charged for the minimum quantity order of the paper as well as the shipping. Most paper is sold in cartons or packages of 50 or more sheets, so you will likely end up paying for more paper than is needed to print your invitations. Please contact us for a quote.
ENVELOPE FAQS
What size envelopes do you carry?
Card size matches envelope size, so your card size will depend on the envelope you choose. In order to offer a range of envelope color choices, we work with different manufacturers. Each manufacturer's envelopes are slightly different in size and flap shape, in addition to being different colors. The result is slightly different card sizes depending on which envelope you choose.
Please see our Card and Envelope Size Chart for more details on what we offer. Still don't see what you want? We do custom envelopes! Do you want a card size that doesn't fit our standard envelopes to a tea? Have a custom envelope made for you! It can take up to 6 weeks for custom envelope orders. Price will depend on specifications of the envelope and production. For rush orders (1-2 weeks) it is an additional $100.00.
Does your invitation sets come with inner and outer envelopes?
No. Our wedding invitations come with outer envelopes only. Inner and outer envelopes are available for an additional cost and are available in a limited amount of colors only.
Do I need an inner and outer envelope? Why might I want to use an inner envelope?
Inner and outer envelopes are the most traditional way to send wedding invitations. The purpose of the inner envelope is to reinforce who is invited to the wedding. The outer envelope is addressed to primary recipient or head of household e.g. "Ms. Jane Smith and guest." the inner envelope also provides a pristine enclosure for keeping all of the pieces of the invitation set together after the guest hass opened the outer envelope. Some people decide not to use inner envelopes. When innder envelopes are not used, the exact guests' names are written on the outer envelope.
Are your envelopes lined? What type of linings do you offer?
Lined envelopes can add a decorative touch to your invitations. An envelope lining is a piece of text-weight paper that is die-cut to fit the shape and size of your enelope, and then inserted and affixed by hand. Envelope linings can be made of solid text-weight paper, patterned paper or textured paper. Paper Crew offers the same options of envelope lining colors and stock that our invitation cards are offered in. They can be printed on for you in custom colors or designs. Envelope lining costs $2 per envelope, with a minimum order of 50; each envelope is lined by hand to match your invitation.
FONT FAQS
What type of fonts do you offer on your invitations?
We offer a range of fonts, including script (i.e. ABC abc), sans serif (i.e. ABC abc) and serif (i.e. ABC abc). Script fonts look like handwriting and are recommended for the bride and grooms' names and headings. We do not generally recommend printing your entire invitation in a script font as it can be difficult to read. San serif fonts lack the small embellishments, or serifs, on each letter, giving them a clean, modern appearance. We recommend using a san serif font if you want your invitation to have a more contemporary fell. Serif fonts have the small embellishments that we often associate with traditional typefaces (fonts). We recommend using serif fonts for a more traditional look Upper and lower case or all lower case serif fonts can be a good option for casual, homey feeling. Please see our Font Chart for the standard most common invitation fonts
DESIGN FAQS
I have a monogram that I would like to include in my wedding invitation. Can you do this?
Yes. Simply send us a file of the image. We accept .ai, .eps, .pdf or .jpeg. Hi resolution files are recommended for the best results.
I found an image I would like to use in my wedding invitation on another website. Can I just e-mail you the URL?
Images on other websites are the property of the respective site owners and are generally not available for us to use. However, you can send us the URL to get the overall look and feel of the design that you want, and a custom design will be designed for you.
I would like my wedding invitation printed in a different language. Can you do this?
For text in the Roman alphabet, please send us the text in Microsoft Word or via email or fax (562.997.9299) and we will typeset it for you. For text that is in a different alphabet using characters, we require a vector art file outlined. If you require print in more than one language (i.e. English and Spanish) there is a set up fee of $30 plus $5 per proof of the additional language.
What is included in a custom design?
Full custom design includes the creation of an invitation to your exact specifications. You get to collaborate with our designers to produce an invitation that matches your vision. We can also simply modify or adapt an existing design to meet your specifications. We specialize in custom work and create custom wedding invitation designs, religious designs, birthday and baby designs for hundreds of clients to date. To view examples, please visit our gallery.
I would like to include a photo on my invitation or save the date card. Can you do this?
Yes. A high resolution file can be emailed to us. We can accept .tif, .eps, .psd or .jpg files that are at least 300 dpi. This is to ensure that the photograph will print clear. We also recommend that you consider using actual photographs (either you printed by you or Paper Crew) to best display the picture.
I love your designs but want to print my own invitations at home. Will you sell just your design to me?
No. We do not sell or license our artwork for personal use, however, blank cards with the design and no text are available for purchase.
I am a designer and would like to design my own invitation. Will you print it for me?
Yes. Please supply us with camera-ready files and we will provide you with a printing quote.
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