FAQs
Here are answers to commonly asked questions you may have when ordering your grad cards or designs.
When should I place my order?
As soon as you know the date, time and place of your party/commencement you should order your announcements. After you have viewed the samples and read the following information, your order can be placed by selecting the “ORDER NOW” link. If after viewing the samples you just want our artists to do what they do best, simply select ARTISTS CHOICE in the “How would you like your grad card designed” section of the form. If you have any special notes or ideas, type them in the “Is there anything else you would like us to know when designing your card” section. Once you hit “SUBMIT” the form is sent directly to us. Bookmarks, banners, posters and yard signs may take up to three weeks so please keep this in mind when placing your order.
How long does it take to see my design?
Once your order is placed, you will receive an invoice by email with the amount due within 24 business hours. To confirm the order, simply call in payment for at least half of the order amount. You can also drop off or send in your payment. Designs are placed online for your approval within one week from the date you confirm your order and make your payment. If you preordered cards, that payment will automatically be applied to your new order.
How do I approve or make design changes?
Once your design is done, you will receive a phone call letting you know to check your email for instructions on viewing, approving or changing your design. Please be sure to double check all spelling, date and time information before you submit your approval. Once your design is approved, no changes can be made as your order is sent directly to print. If you have changes, the first set is done for you free of charge so please be sure to request ALL of your changes the first time. Additional changes with an online approval are $10 each time an additional online approval is requested. Any changes with online approval will be done and placed online within 24 business hours. Once you approve your design, you can expect your announcement or thank you card order to be printed in 3 to 5 days. Banners, bookmarks, posters and yard signs can take up to three weeks. You will receive a phone call to let you know when your order is ready to pick up. You can also choose to have your order shipped to you. Shipping for cards is $10. The cost to ship larger items like posters, yard signs and banners is $15.
What if I prepaid for announcements?
If you prepaid for graduation announcements with your portrait order please note that in the “Did you pre-order your cards“ section of the online form. If you would like to change the size or quantity of announcements that were already purchased, please feel free to do so. The full prepaid amount (including tax) will be applied to your new grad product order.
Are there other ways to order?
If you are more comfortable, ordering your announcements or products at The Studio is also an option. If you would like to stop in to talk to someone, please call and schedule an appointment. Please note that this order appointment is only to order your cards, not to create the design while you are at The Studio. You can also call in your order. Unless if you have a specific design in mind, you only need to let us know which size card, quantity, image(s) you’d like to include and any text information.
What sizes and quantities are available?
Announcements and thank you cards are available in four different sizes: 4.25×5.5 (small), 4×8 (medium), 5×7 (large), and 5×5 (square). We also offer double sided cards in a 4×5, 5×7, or 5×5 size, and Folded Double Sided Cards 4×5.5, 5×7, or 5×5 size. You can find the pricing information by clicking on the “Grad Products and Pricing” link above. All sizes include white envelopes except 4.25×5.5 (small). Square announcements will cost an additional $0.20 more per piece to mail. Double sided announcements and thank you cards can be ordered in multiples of 25. Single sided announcements and thank you cards can be ordered in any quantity (min. of 25 cards). Size and quantity information for bookmarks, banners, posters and yard signs can be found by clicking on the “Grad Products and Prices” link above.
Which images can I choose?
Your design can include any image that was photographed. However, if using an image that you did not order from, there is a $17 retouch fee per image. If you are selecting an announcement design, please keep that particular design in mind when choosing your image(s). All images will appear in color unless otherwise noted (ie. Spot color, BW, or Sepia). If you want a tone other than color, note it in the “Image” section of the form.
Can I use a baby picture or one of my own images too?
Your own images can be emailed to lab@thestudioonmain.com or uploaded to us at blog.TheStudioOnMain.com/Upload to be included in your design for $15. If your image is copyright protected, you will need to contact the photographer and ask them to submit a copyright release for the image. If you don’t have an electronic file, your image can be dropped off or mailed in. It will be returned to you once you pick up your order. Please note this in the “text info” section of the form when you place your order.
Can we address your envelopes?
Sure we can! There is an option in the online order form where you can select if you’d like envelopes printed with your return address only, or with both your address and your recipients address. These options are available at an extra charge, which is based on the number of cards you are ordering.
Helpful Tips
• Sometimes less is more. One incredible portrait can have more impact than crowding a design with too many images.
• If you want to use more than one image, try and pick images that compliment each other.
• When choosing a font, keep the mood of the portrait consistent with the style of the font. If the portrait is fun and playful, pick a font that gives you the same feeling.
• If you’re just not sure which design works best, type ARTISTS CHOICE in the design/font # section and we’ll help you out! Even if you pick this option, it’s helpful to note which design/fonts you are partial to.
More than anything, we want you to LOVE your design. Do you have an idea that you didn’t see on our site? Let us know! We want your celebration to be memorable, so let us help you get it off to a great start with a custom design of your very own image.
