We understand that receiving a proof can be a bit daunting. Hopefully, the files we supply, to provide us with the information you need on your wedding stationery, are easy enough to follow and will eliminate most errors. However, we are all only human and errors can happen, which is why you will receive the initial proof and an additional one if changes are needed.
Any proofs required after the second stage will be charged for, if not our error, so there still needs to be caution.
Below are some helpful tips on how to get it right first time.
The process
Once you have purchased your stationery online, we will get a few forms sent to you, relating to that product. These are PDF forms that you can fill out. Most phones and PC’s can open a PDF but please let us know if you are having problems.
Once you have completed these forms, we ask that you email them back to us so that we can start preparing your first proof. We aim to have these back to you within 3 working days, depending on the size of the order.
Before we can print any job, we need to make sure you are 100% happy. Therefore we need you to ‘proof’ the artwork. The old saying goes “measure twice, cut once” it is much easier to make changes at the proofing stage than after we have a printed product.
We have suggested the key areas to check in the list below. We would recommend (if you can) getting a friend to give it a once-over too. It is surprising how effective a fresh set of eyes can be at spotting mistakes.
Key areas to check:
1) Spelling, grammar and punctuation (REALLY IMPORTANT!)
We will retype or copy and paste information supplied when creating a proof. We use the information you provide in the PDF, so it is important that you use correct punctuation, especially capitals, commas and full stops. We would like to be able to correct this for you, but as we need to get the proofs set up and back to you as soon as possible, it is not feasible to proofread every invite. You could get a friend or colleague to have a read as well, as when you have been staring at the same piece of artwork for too long you can start to miss things!
2) Contact details (phone numbers, names, email addresses, dates, times)
Make sure you write the dates or times as you would like them to be printed on your stationery i.e., 12 o’clock / 12 Noon / One in the afternoon / 12.30pm / Thirteenth May Twenty Twenty-One / 13.05.2021 / 13th May 2021.
3) Pictures and Logos (Are they sharp enough?)
If you are supplying a photo for your thankyou card or save the date, then please make sure it is the correct orientation to what you have purchased i.e., a landscape image if you have chosen a landscape card. Some invites allow the use of a venue logo – please supply or ask permission from your venue if they have one. Always use the highest quality pictures you can and avoid scanning existing printed products, like business cards, and using those scanned images for your design.
We have an option to buy a sketch of your venue, which would be exclusive to your stationery. Please email us for more details.
4) Order of service
Our experience tells us that it is a good idea to always get an approved order of the service from your Reverend prior to sending us the information. They will also usually want to check the initial proof before you agree to print to make sure it is correct.
You will also need to check hymns and the Lord’s prayer are the correct wording – there are a few variants, but this is also a good reason to check with the church before printing.
5) Menus
If you have chosen a menu for your day stationery, it is important you spell all the dishes correctly and use the correct foreign punctuation.
Why not print this handy form off and use the table below as you proofread to make sure you have double checked everything?