1) How many invitations come with the $15 (or similar) cost?
How much would it be for 30 invitations and envelopes?
A) The price listed on Etsy is for the digital JPEG file of the invitation only. No paper invitations are mailed to you. The cost includes the design, alterations, and final proof (JPEG) of the invitation.
2) How do you recommend printing the digital file?
A) You can print the invitation anywhere you'd like - either at home or using a commercial printer such as Kinkos, Staples, Office Depot, Walmart, Costco, etc. The JPEG file is emailed to you, then you simply have to download the file, save it to your computer, then print using your home printer, or transfer it to a thumb drive or DVD to take it to your local commercial printer. Note: please do not forward the email attachment to your local printer, as this alters the formatting and resolution of the image, so your final product may appear grainy.
3) How long does it take to receive the file once purchased?
A) At the time of this posing, the current turnaround time for proofs is approximately 72 hours from the time of purchase. I do my best to get the proof emailed to you within this timeframe. Please be sure to check my shop announcement, however, which is located at the top of the page below, to ensure that this is still the current turnaround time.
Shop Home
If it has not yet been 72 hours from the time of your purchase, please do not contact me asking when your invitation will be available. There may be numerous orders before yours, and orders are completed as they are received. If you need your proof sooner than 72 hours, please see #5 below, and request a Rush Order prior to purchasing.
4) How are edits made to the proof and how long do they take?
A) If after the proof is sent you require edits to the text, I do my best to make these changes within approximately 24 hours of receiving your request. Simply reply to the email in which the initial proof was sent, with your requested changes.
5) If I'm in a hurry, can you rush my order?
A) Absolutely! Just contact me if you need a Rush Order. There is a $12 Rush Order Fee for 24-hour turnaround, and an $8 Rush Order Fee for 48-hour turnaround.
6) Does the digital file come with bleed/safety/trim lines required by commercial printers?
A) Yes, the default format for all of my invitations is 4.25 x 6.25 or 5.25 x 7.25 inches, which includes a 1/8 inch allowance on each side. Alternatively, I can provide the file in exactly 4x6 or 5x7 inches upon request, or as a printable 8.5 x 11 inch sheet with two invitations per page and guidelines to assist in trimming the remaining 1/8 inch from each side.
Why include the extra 1/8 inch if printing a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet from home? This ensures that your image goes all the way to the edge of the paper for your final product. If you trim around a 4x6 invitation, for example, you may not be exactly at the edge, and you could end up with a thin line of white around the image.
Note: thank you cards, RSVP cards and postcards, and registry inserts typically come in the exact size listed on Etsy. If you require bleed/safety/trim lines for these as well, just let me know in the Note to Seller when you checkout.
7) What type of paper do you recommend printing on?
A) Regardless of the design or size, I recommend printing on bright white cardstock of at least 110 lbs. Using white card stock will ensure the colors in the image appear as you see them on your computer screen.
If you want to print on kraft paper, for example, the colors may vary. Also, if you plan on printing on a colored background, you may not want the colored background shown on the sample image (such as a blue or bokeh background). I can provide the file without a background if you'd like, so that the paper color of your choice shows through as the background itself.
Cardstock of at least 110 lb will ensure that your invitation has some weight to it. I'd recommend using a card stock with a slight sheen to it, as a purely matte cardstock may make the final image appear grainy.
8) I plan on using a commercial printer. What size would they require for printing?
A) Unfortunately this varies with the printer, so you'll have to contact your local printer to see what they require. It also depends on what type of cardstock on which you'd like to have them printed. For example, if you'd like to use cardstock that is exactly 5x7 inches, you'd need the 5x7 image. If the printer requires bleed/safety/trim lines, you'll need the 5.25 x 7.25 inch file. Often these options are more expensive than printing two per page on a standard sheet of 8.5 x 11 card stock. So if you'd like to save money, this may be the best option.
Additionally, some printers will print them off-site if you want them to be exactly 5x7 inches, so you'll have to wait for them to be shipped - and pay for shipping. In this case, they may be able to print them in the store the same day if you go with the printable sheet option.
Simply call your local printer to discuss your options, and determine how much each option would cost, and which size they require.
9) I need a different size than what you have listed. Is it possible to get the design in a custom size?
A) Some commercial printers, such as VistaPrint, have unique sizing requirements. While I'm happy to adjust the size for you, there is an accompanying size alteration fee of $5. Please contact me before purchasing so I can set up a custom listing. There is an additional $1 charge if I have to set up a separate invoice for this fee after the file has been purchased.
10) Can you customize the colors of the design to fit my color scheme?
A) Absolutely! There is a color alteration fee depending on the amount of changes to the original design, which typically varies between $4 to $8. Simply contact me and let me know which design you're interested in, and which color(s) you'd like changed. Then I can let you know whether that would be possible, provide a quote, and set up a custom listing for you.
If you'd like to pick your custom colors, use the color picker below and provide the HSB and RGB color codes. That way I can adjust the colors to match these values exactly.
Color Picker
Please contact me before purchasing so I can set up a custom listing for you which includes the color alteration fee. There is an additional $1 charge if I have to set up a separate invoice for this fee after the file has been purchased.
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11) Can you create a custom design for me?
A) If you don't see what you're looking for in my shop, such as an invitation, a matching thank you card or recipe card, etc, just send me a message. I'm happy to set up a custom order for you with a new design of your choice. There is a $10 new design fee for this option, in addition to the base cost for that digital item.
12) Do you offer a discount if more than one item is purchased?
A) I do offer a 10% package discount if three or more products are purchased together from my shop. If you're interested, simply send me a message with the products you'd like, and I can set up a custom listing for you with the discount.
13) Can you print the invitations for me?
A) Unfortunately at this time I do not offer printing services or envelopes. The designs are available only as digital, printable files which you print yourself. This saves you time and money, as you don't have to worry about shipping.
14) I love your invitation, but I need it for a different event.
I'd like to add additional text, such as a list of hostesses.
Can the text be altered?
A) Alterations to the text are included in the cost of the design. I can alter the text in any way you'd like, whether for a different event, or different wording. Fonts are customizable as well. If you'd like to change the font(s) simply indicate your preference in the Note to Seller upon checkout. If you're unsure of font names, you can choose any font shown in the samples in my shop. Simply indicate the other design, and which of the fonts you prefer from that design.
15) Can you customize the design elements for me? I'd like one or two things tweaked.
A) I'm happy to alter the design for you if you'd like. There would be a $4 to $8 design change fee for this option, depending on the amount of work necessary to alter the design. Simply send me a message detailing your request, and I'll set up a custom order for you.
Please contact me before purchasing so I can set up a custom listing for you which includes the design alteration fee. There is an additional $1 charge if I have to set up a separate invoice for this fee after the file has been purchased.
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16) Can I see the proof prior to purchasing?
A) Unfortunately I only offer proofs after purchase is made, as the cost of the design includes the work involved in personalizing your invitation. In other words, it is basically a down payment for the work involved. Please rest assured that I will make any changes you'd like to see after you review the initial proof. I want to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your order.
17) I've never used Etsy before. How do I go about purchasing the invitation?
A) If you don't yet have an Etsy account, it is very was to open one. Simply sign up using the link on the home page. Once you have an account, simply click the "Add to Cart" button on the listing of your choice. Some listings may require you to choose the design number, chevron color, text color, etc, using the drop-down options. For the design number, you'll notice several images below the main image, which will show you the various design options (up to 5) for that listing. These may show variations in backgrounds, colors, etc.
On the checkout screen, you'll notice a comment box that reads "Note to SilverScraps". This is where you can include your customized text for the invitation (or printable). Please include your text exactly as you'd like it to appear on the invitation (case-sensitive) as your text will be copy & pasted. I do my best to proof-read the text you provide to make sure there aren't any mistakes, but I will use the text you provide.
**Please make sure that all of the information you'd like to include on the invitation is included with your order (hostesses, registry details, etc). I can't tell you how many orders I've received that didn't include the date or time. ;)
On the right side, you'll see "How You'll Pay". You can pay directly through Etsy using a credit card, or using a Paypal account. **If you'd rather not use Paypal, simply choose the credit card option.
Follow the prompts to finish the checkout process. Please note that if you use Paypal, it will bring you back to Etsy for one final review of your order. You must confirm the order at that point, otherwise your order will not go through. Be sure that the confirmation page with the cardboard box appears to indicate your order is complete.
You should receive an email immediately from Etsy to let you know your order went through. Please note that I use the date & time stamp of this email to calculate the 72-hour turnaround time for your proof. Once your proof is complete, I will email it to the email address you have listed with Etsy, unless you provide a different email address.
18) Can I purchase the design without the text? I only need the background.
Can you provide this as an editable template (i.e. photoshop file format)?
A) Unfortunately I cannot provide the digital file without text, or as an editable template. The file must be personalized with your custom text and provided as a flattened JPEG file, prior to sending to you. This is due to commercial use licenses by which I am bound.
19) Where can I find matching envelopes?
A) Invitations in my shop are provided in standard sizes (4x6 and 5x7). You can find envelopes to fit these at stationary supply stores such as Staples or Michaels. If you'd like a different invitation size to fit your envelopes, please see #9 above regarding custom sizes.
20) Can you provide the final file as a PDF, rather than a JPEG?
A) Unfortunately the file size for a PDF is too large to email due to the high resolution quality of the image. The quality of the JPEG image is therefore higher when emailed, as I would have to reduce the quality of the PDF file in order to email it to you.
21) Can you provide a matching back side, so that I can print a double-sided invitation?
A) I'm happy to provide a matching back side. If you'd like only the matching background, the fee would be $8 for the back side. If you'd like to add text to the back (such as for a list of hosts/hostesses) there would be a $12 fee for the matching back side.
22) Can your invitation design be used as a postcard?
A) The size of a postcard (4.25 x 5.5) is different than the invitation sizes (4x6 or 5x7). Neither can be stretched to fit a postcard without losing some of the image. If you'd like a postcard size, with a matching back side for the address line, see #9 and #21 above for more details.
23) Do you offer matching party supplies, such as banners, water bottle labels, etc?
A) Unfortunately at this time I do not offer matching paper party supplies. I may be able to create a digital (printable) design for items such as recipe cards, well wishes cards, registry inserts, favor tags, etc. Send me a message if you'd like to inquire about a custom design. At this time I do not offer digital versions of banners or water bottle labels.
23) Troubleshooting
The printed image appears grainy.
A) The final image should not appear grainy, as the file size is 300 dots per cm. This is much higher than other shops or printers, which provide files as 300 dots per inch. If you're image appears grainy, it could be due to one of several factors:
- Check your printer settings. If printing at home, make sure the printer is set to the "best quality" setting.
- Check your paper. Cardstock with a slight sheen works better than a purely matte paper. Matte papers have a graininess to them, which will show up regardless of the quality of the image.
- Check how you sent the file to the commercial printer. You cannot forward the email & attachment to a printer. Forwarding the email alters the image and can reduce the resolution. Be sure to download the image to your computer, then transfer the file to a thumb drive or DVD. This will ensure the file size & resolution are maintained.
24) Troubleshooting
The image is printing across the full piece of paper. (i.e the image is stretching, or is larger than what it should be)
A) Unfortunately I won't be much help with this, as this is an issue with your printer settings. I would suggest checking several things, however.
- Make sure your settings are printing the exact file size, rather than "fit to page".
- Make sure you have the correct size listed for the paper you are using.
If you're still having issues, I would suggest using your search engine to look for solutions based on your particular printer.
I hope these help with any questions you may have had. If you still have questions that aren't answered here, or you would like to set up a custom order, simply send me a message through Etsy (click on the "Contact Shop Owner" button on the left), or post a comment below, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
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