• Why should I choose Allison Powell Designs?
• How does the design process work?
• What is a proof?
• How long before I receive my order?
• Is rush service available?
• How far in advance should I order my birthday invitations?
• How do I upload photos? What are your photo guidelines?
• Can I use professional photographs?
• Is there a fee for photo editing?
• Is there a limit on proofs? What if I don't like my design?
• Will the colors of the printed product be exactly the same as what I see on my computer screen?
• I have something in mind, but I don't see it on your site. Can I have a custom design created?
• How does the print-your-own option work?
• Can you customize a design to fit another occasion? Can I change the font and/or colors?
• Can I order less than 20 cards?
• Are envelopes included in my order?
• What form of payment do you accept?
• How much is shipping and handling?
• What paper finishes do you offer?
• What is your refund policy?
• I'm interested in your Full Service Mailing Option. How does it work?

Why should I choose Allison Powell Designs? TOP
Like many of you, we are moms!  We understand how important announcements and invitations are to you and your little ones.  We know the joy that is shared in engagements, weddings, births, birthdays and everything else that goes on in between.  We also understand the excitement that those events bring and how meaningful it is to invite others to share in those moments. 

We love designing cards, announcements, and invitations, and we love working one-on-one with people to create something that will be tucked in a top drawer, baby book, or somewhere special for years to come.  Our small size allows us to provide a level of personalized service and attention to detail that others cannot offer.  Our customers choose us for our innovative designs, quality materials, and reasonable prices.

For those reasons, and so many more, we hope that you choose Allison Powell Designs to help you share life's most cherished moments!

How does the design process work? TOP
Ordering from us is easy and fun!  First, browse our galleries and choose a design that appeals to you.  Second, complete the order form and proceed to checkout.  During checkout you will be prompted to enter an email address.  Please note that we will email your proof to this address once complete.   Rest assured that your email/contact information will remain strictly confidential.  We will never share this information with a third party.

Finally, after checkout is complete, use our photo uploader to upload photos (if applicable), or  email your photos to allisonpowelldesigns@yahoo.com.  (Please read our photo guidelines before emailing your photos.  Too often we receive photos that are too small, grainy, blurry and cannot be reprinted, thus delaying the process.) Please include your name and contact information in the email. Your order is not complete until we receive your payment and photos.

Within one to two business days*, you will receive a proof via email.  Examine it carefully and inform us of any changes/corrections that need to be made at that time.  Allison Powell Designs cannot be held responsible for errors after your order has gone to print.

* We receive a heavy volume of orders during the holidays.  Please allow extra time to receive your proof.

What is a proof? TOP
A proof is a low resolution mock-up of your announcement/invitation that allows you to see your card digitally before it is printed.

Look at it carefully.  Double and triple check your proof!  Allison Powell Designs cannot be held responsible for mistakes once the card goes to print.  Your order will only be processed after we receive final approval from you.

How long before I receive my order? TOP
Your order will arrive via USPS Priority Mail in 5-8 business days following approval of your proof.

Is rush service available? TOP
Yes.  However, because our products are printed at a professional print shop and/or a professional photo lab, we will not be able to process your order and ship your prints on the same day.  Once printed, we can ship your order overnight for additional charges.  Please contact us if you require rush service and we will be happy to work with you.

How far in advance should I order my birthday invitations? TOP
If choosing standard shipping, we recommend placing your order 4-5 weeks before your RSVP date.  This allows time for receiving your proof (1-2 business days), proof revisions, printing, shipping, and mailing invitations to your guests in time to give them enough notice.

If choosing expedited shipping, we recommend contacting us and asking about our current proof schedule.  Please do not place your order prior to contacting us if you need a rush proof or delivery within one week.

*Please read our photo guidelines before emailing your photos.

How do I upload photos? What are your photo guidelines? TOP
After ordering your design and checking out, use our photo uploader to upload your photo(s), or email your photo(s) to allisonpowelldesigns@yahoo.com.  Be sure to include your name/contact information in your email.

For best print quality, follow these guidelines:

Can I use professional photographs? TOP
Yes, but you must obtain a signed release from the photographer or studio before we can use them.  Professional photos carry with them certain copyright restrictions that we must adhere to.  Contact us if you have any questions.

Is there a fee for photo editing? TOP
No.  We crop, smooth out blemishes, eliminate redness, and convert photos to sepia or black and white at no extra charge.  Please include any special requests (i.e., convert to sepia) in the email you send us with your photos after your order has been placed.

Is there a limit on proofs? What if I don't like my design? TOP
Your satisfaction with our designs is guaranteed!  Once you have placed your order for a specific design, we will work with you on your proof until you are completely satisfied.

If after you receive your proof you want to change to a completely new design (for example, you initially ordered "The Chase" and were not happy with your proof, so would like to switch to "The Henry") an additional $10 will be added to your order to cover customization of a new proof.

Will the colors of the printed product be exactly the same as what I see on my computer screen? TOP
Please note that every computer screen is different, as are the monitor calibrations.  In some cases, the color that appears on your screen will not be exactly the same as the color of the printed design.  This is true of any online purchase where color is involved.  We cannot be held responsible in cases where you are unhappy with the printed product because the color appeared different on your computer screen.

That being said, we have tested and printed all of the sample designs that you see on our website and assure you that they print as true to color as possible (assuming a properly calibrated monitor).  If you have chosen a sample design and would like it in colors different than what we offer, we would be happy to work with you on a new color palette.  However, we will not be able to print a sample prior to sending the order to our printer to verify color-correctness.  We cannot guarantee that the newly selected colors will print as true to color as the sample palettes we have already tested.

I have something in mind, but I don't see it on your site. Can I have a custom design created? TOP
Absolutely!  We would love to work with you on a custom design.  We do charge an up front design fee of $10.00, but this will be deducted from the cost of your final order once the design is complete and approved by you. This $10.00 fee allows you to work one-on-one with us to create the custom design you have in mind, for up to 3 revisions (so please provide us with as many details as you can early on regarding what you have in mind - colors, layout, fonts, etc.). If we have reached the 3rd revision and you are still not happy, we will continue working with you but will have to charge an additional $10.00 at that time. This again will be deducted from the final cost of your order. Please refer to our pricing page or our party package page for detailed pricing information. To begin the process, please purchase the following listing:
Custom Design Request   

How does the print-your-own option work? TOP
When you choose the print-your-own option, you are choosing to purchase a high resolution .jpg image containing the design and customization you have requested.  We will email you the .jpg file after the proof has been approved by you.  You can then take that file and do with it whatever you choose!  Email it to friends and family, upload it to Facebook, or send it off to a printer of your choosing for prints.  Wal-mart, Walgreen's, Target, Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery...the list goes on and on of labs that will accept .jpg files to print, at very competitive prices (a .jpg file is the same type of file created when you take a picture using a digital camera, so anywhere that you usually order prints from will also print the .jpg file you receive from us).  Feel free to contact us with additional questions regarding this option.

Can you customize a design to fit another occasion? Can I change the font and/or colors? TOP
Yes!  We can customize any design for any occasion free of charge.  For example, if you like one of our "first birthday" invitations but your child is turning three we can customize the design for you.  All opening greetings, fonts, birthday verses, and colors can be changed to your liking.  We also can create dual party invitations (i.e., baptism and christening).

If you request a change to the color palette, please refer to the question, "Will the colors of the printed product be exactly the same as what I see on my computer screen?"  We strongly suggest, when requesting a new color, that you provide us with either a digital file containing the colors you are envisioning, or, in technical terms, the hexidecimal representation of the color itself.  This will help us guarantee that we get the color you are expecting, as there are hundreds of shades of each color!

Can I order less than 20 cards? TOP
No, we do not accept orders less than 20.  Since we use a professional printer and photo lab we have to adhere to their minimum order size. Consider our Print-Your-Own option in this case!

Are envelopes included in my order? TOP
Yes, premium white envelopes are included with your order.

What form of payment do you accept? TOP
We use PayPal to process all payments.  However, you do not need a PayPal account to pay for your order.  You may choose to pay with PayPal or just use your credit card number via PayPal.

How much is shipping and handling? TOP
Orders are shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS for a flat rate of $8.95, which includes delivery confirmation.  Please contact us if you are interested in postal insurance, as we can add that to your order for an additional fee.

We currently offer FREE shipping and handling on all orders over $60!

What paper finishes do you offer? TOP
Our photo cards can be printed on your choice of 100# premium cardstock (matte or semi-gloss) or Fujicolor's Crystal Archive digital lustre photo paper.  According the professional photo lab we partner with, this is "Fuji's highest grade paper that offers color reproduction resulting in accurate and vibrant colors with a 'true-to-life' look. Optimized silver halide crystals deliver excellent portrait prints offering superb color image stability that makes it Fuji's longest lasting paper. It also has excellent skin tone reproduction that captures the diversity of skin tones faithfully, and its ideal gradation balance delivers neutrals and deep blacks with unbiased grays over the entire density range."

What is your refund policy? TOP
Print-Your-Own Option:   If you are not satisfied we will offer a full refund on your purchase at any point during the design process before the final high resolution .jpg image has been emailed to you.   However, once the image has been approved and transmitted, the sale is considered final. 

Full Service Printing Option:  If you are not satisfied we will offer a full refund on your purchase at any point during the design process before the final proof has been approved by you.    If you are not satisfied with your prints after they have been shipped to you, we will offer a full refund (less the shipping and handling fee) after they are returned to us.  We cannot guarantee that the colors of the printed design will exactly match the colors you see on your computer screen.  Please refer to the question, "Will the colors of the printed product be exactly the same as what I see on my computer screen?". 

Custom Design Option: If you are not satisfied we will offer a full refund on your purchase at any point during the design process before the final proof has been approved by you.  Once the proof has been approved, the 10$ custom design fee is non-refundable.  At that point the same refund policies will apply depending on the printing option you choose for your custom design.

Your satisfaction with our product is our number one priority!

I'm interested in your Full Service Mailing Option. How does it work? TOP
Let us mail your prints for you!  What a great way to relieve stress for a new mom or during the busy holiday season! 

Here is how it works:
1. Order your prints through our site and select "Yes" for the Full Service Mailing Option. 

2. Pay for your order via PayPal (You will see a charge for shipping and handling in your order.  Go ahead and pay for this now as this amount will be deducted later). 

3.  We will contact you and create your proof in the same manner as any other option. 

4.  At some point in the process, email us your address list in an excel spreadsheet format, as well as your return address.

5.  You will be billed separately for this option as the cost will depend on the quantity of cards and the price of stamps.  The cost is $25.00 plus the price of stamps, minus the shipping and handling fee you paid in your initial order.  (This fee covers up to 100 cards.  We will charge an additional $5.00 for every 25 cards after the first 100.) You will be billed via PayPal.  We will not mail out your order until payment has been received.

NOTE:  Mailings will be addressed with printed labels.