Proofing and Production Guide
All orders placed with us are subject to the same tried and tested process; materials are placed on order, items are proofed for your approval and then produced in our studio after formal approval is received.
Here's how this process works, including timescales, options for speeding up the process, what our policies are if circumstances change and so on.
This is an important summary so we strongly recommend that you read this thoroughly.
Proofing
Proofing is the process where we create items in your chosen design with your information, wording and details. Three rounds are included as standard (the initial draft and up to two sets of revisions).
In the unlikely event of additional rounds being required these will be charged at £50 per round.
How long proofing takes
We operate a first-come, first-served system for all couples with proofing completed in a queue.
We allocate up to a maximum of 5 business days to complete a proofing draft, however our goal will always be to complete this quicker if we have the opportunity to do so.
Please note that the time taken on proofing is based on your position in our queue and not related to the amount of work that proofing round will take. And naturally the quicker we receive responses the quicker we'll be able to complete work on your order.
Formatting, File Types and Messaging
We're only able to work with files that we are able to copy from, so screenshots, PDFs or photographs are not accepted.
If we have sent any template(s) to be completed, that same completed template will need to be returned to us as other formats aren't accepted.
All proofing is completed by email only. You are welcome to contact us by other means but we will request that you confirm anything discussed by email to ensure we have a history to refer to.
Colouring
If relevant we will depict physical cardstock and paper colours in your proofs. However it's important to note that these are entirely digital approximations to give you a better idea of composition.
The only exception to this rule is with large wedding signs printed onto foamex. If you've ordered large wedding signs in a colour, then the colour of the background will be the ink colour submitted to our external printers. But again, due to the difference from display to display this can only be viewed as an approximation.
Bespoke Elements
If we're reached this stage in the process then it's likely that we've already covered bespoke elements with you.
If not, then it's important to note that bespoke changes are chargeable - for example using alternative typography to the design chosen or incorporating your own artwork into one of our designs.
Charges are dependent upon the amount of bespoke work and testing required, please contact us to discuss.
Production
Virtually everything we provide is made in our studio (the only exceptions being A2+ signage, fabric signage, 8+ sided order of service booklets and photo thank you cards).
Once your proofs are approved via our online form everything is locked in for production and you'll go into our queue for everything to be printed, cut, made and so on.
Like proofing, production works on a first-come, first-served basis and we allocate up to three weeks for production work to be completed on your order.
Due to these timescales we require all customers to be signed off for their on-the-day stationery and / or signage with at least three weeks to go before the wedding day.
Fast-Track (Rush Order) Service
If you're in a pinch then we do offer a fast-track service to speed up all aspects of the service. Please note that we only take on one fast-track order at a time as we work outside of standard working hours to accommodate this.
The cost to rush your order is as follows:
Order Value less than £150 - Fast-Track not available
Order Value £150-£300: 50% of order value
Order Value over £300: 30% of order value
If you wish to use the service please contact us as quickly as you can so we can organise this with you.
Below are the changes to our standard timings if opting for a fast-track service.
Materials
These will be ordered immediately from our suppliers rather than on our usual weekly cycle.
Proofing
All proofing rounds will be completed within 24 hours of receipt of details, wording of requested edits.
Production
Reduced to a maximum of 1 week for digital printing and 2 weeks for foiling or letterpress.
Materials, Adjustments & Additions
When you place your order we will commit to ordering your materials; we do this on a cyclical basis with our suppliers who, in turn, cut all materials to size in the quantities required for us to satisfy your order.
Given this, the following guidance applies for when additional items or quantities are required:
We strongly encourage that couples order spares of items due in part to the minimum thresholds that we have in place (which for invitations, for example, is set to 20 for digital printing and 30 for foiling / letterpress).
If materials haven't yet been ordered then adjustments can be made without additional penalty. However if they have been ordered then our minimum order thresholds will apply.
Cancellation & Adjustment Policy
We know that there will be situations that change and circumstances updated.
We have a consistent policy in-place for cancellations and reductions to orders, which is influenced by whether materials have already been ordered and / or proofing work has already been completed.
If a portion of your order - for example a single piece of stationery in a larger order, an insert in an invitation suite, etc - is no longer required, then the following still applies but only to that portion of your order.
Materials on Order -AND- Proofing Started
If we have ordered your materials and completed at least one round of proofs then any refund given will be 25% of the original order value minus payment processing fees.
Materials on Order -OR- Proofing Started
If either your materials have been ordered or a first round of proofs have been sent, the value of the refund will be 50% of the original order value, minus any payment processing fees.
Questions?
If you have any concerns or questions relating to our proofing and production process then please do contact us; we firmly subscribe to there being no silly questions!
So if you do need to ask then please email us at hello@ellebeedesign.co.uk, we'll be glad to cover off any queries with you.