Terms & Conditions — Meadowlark Paperie

Terms &
Conditions

at a glance

The Short Version

01
everything is made for you

Every order is produced to order. Nothing is off the shelf. Payments are non-refundable once design work has begun.

02
proof before we print

A digital proof is provided for review before anything is printed. Once approved, the proof is locked and production begins.

03
semi-custom pays upfront

Semi-custom orders require full payment at booking. Fully custom orders require a 25% deposit within 7 days of proposal acceptance and the 75% balance after final proof approval.

04
letterpress is handmade

Slight variation in impression depth, ink saturation, and texture is inherent to the letterpress process and is not considered a defect.

05
postage is on you

Letterpress suites on cotton paper exceed standard mail weight. Weigh a fully assembled suite at the post office before purchasing postage in bulk.

06
kansas clients pay sales tax

Orders shipped to a Kansas address are subject to 6.5% Kansas state sales tax. Orders shipped outside Kansas are not.

Section 1

What We Make

nature of products & services

plain english

Meadowlark Paperie is a sole-proprietor letterpress studio in Kansas. All products are made by hand, to order. Submitting an inquiry does not constitute a confirmed order.

Two types of work

Semi-custom suites are existing designs you personalize with your wording and material choices. Fully custom means we design your suite from scratch around your vision.

Made to order

Nothing is produced speculatively. Every order is unique. We reserve the right to decline any engagement at our discretion.

Inquiries aren't commitments

Submitting an inquiry form does not constitute a confirmed order. We'll be in touch to discuss whether the project is a fit before anything is agreed upon.

Section 2

Payment

how and when you pay

plain english

Semi-custom: 100% at booking

Full payment is due when you book. No design work, proofing, or production begins until payment is received and confirmed.

Fully custom: 25% deposit, then 75%

A non-refundable design deposit of 25% of the project total is due within 7 calendar days of proposal acceptance. This deposit secures the Client's place on the production calendar. If the deposit is not received within 7 calendar days, the Studio reserves the right to release the Client's reserved production slot. No design, concept, or creative work will begin until the deposit has been received and confirmed. The remaining 75% balance is due within 7 days of final proof approval. Production will not begin until the balance is paid in full.

Fully custom: discovery call first

Fully custom orders begin with a complimentary discovery call. No payment is required until both parties agree to proceed.

If the balance is late

If the 75% balance is not received within 30 days of the due date and no written communication has been made, the project may be considered abandoned. The design deposit is non-refundable in all circumstances.

Payment methods

We accept credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay via Stripe, as well as PayPal. No checks or wire transfers.

Minimum order

The minimum order quantity for all printed suites is 25 sets. We can't go below that.

Kansas sales tax

Orders shipping to a Kansas address are subject to 6.5% Kansas state sales tax, calculated on your pre-shipping total. Outside Kansas? No sales tax from us.

Section 2b

Sample Kits

try before you commit

plain english

Sample kits let you experience our papers, ribbons, and wax seals in person before placing an order. The kit fee is fully credited toward your suite if you decide to move forward.

Sample kit pricing

Sample kits are $30 including domestic shipping. Each kit includes 2–3 fine paper selections, 2–3 hand-dyed silk ribbon colors, and 2–3 artisan wax seal colors.

Full credit toward your order

If you place a semi-custom or fully custom order with Meadowlark Paperie, the full $30 sample kit fee will be applied as a credit toward your project invoice.

Credit terms

Sample kit credits are non-transferable and cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. Credits apply to the next order placed by the same client and do not expire.

Non-refundable

Sample kit fees are non-refundable. Kits are curated and assembled by hand for each request and cannot be returned.

International sample kits

International shipping for sample kits is available on request. Additional shipping costs beyond the included domestic shipping are the client's responsibility.

Section 3

Proofing & Approvals

review carefully before approving

plain english

A digital proof is provided for review before anything goes to press. Review all content carefully — dates, names, spelling, addresses, and venue details. Final approval is binding. No changes can be made after it is submitted.

What we need before proofing starts

We need your finalized wording, all customization selections, your guest count, and full payment (semi-custom) or your design deposit (fully custom) before we prepare your first proof. Your timeline doesn't start until we have all of this.

Semi-custom: 2 revision rounds included

Semi-custom orders include two complimentary rounds of revisions. A round = one complete set of consolidated feedback, addressed in one revised proof. Additional rounds are $50/round, invoiced before the revised proof is sent.

Switching suite designs mid-process

If you decide to switch to a different semi-custom design after we've started, a $100 design change fee applies. This is invoiced before work on the new design begins.

Final approval = locked. No exceptions.

Once a final approval form has been submitted, no further changes can be made to the order. Production begins immediately upon receipt. Review all content thoroughly before signing.

Errors in approved content are your responsibility

Any error present in a signed final approval is the client's sole responsibility. Reprinting costs resulting from errors in approved content are not covered by Meadowlark Paperie.

Semi-custom layout is fixed

The typeface, sizing, alignment, layout, and composition of a semi-custom suite cannot be changed. You personalize wording, paper, ink color, envelopes, and finishing details — that's it. Layout changes require a fully custom engagement.

Delays caused by you extend your timeline

Delays caused by late client responses or feedback extend the production timeline accordingly. Meadowlark Paperie is not responsible for missed mailing windows resulting from client-caused delays.

Section 4

Rush Orders

expedited production

plain english

Rush production is available on a limited basis and is not guaranteed. The flat fee is $150 added to the order total. Prompt client responses are required throughout the process for rush timelines to hold.

Rush fee $150 flat, added to standard order total. Due at time of booking.
First proof Delivered within 1–2 business days of receiving all required info (vs. standard 3–5 days).
Revision turnaround Same-day or next-business-day on each revision round during proofing.
Production Printing complete within 1–2 weeks of final approval (vs. standard 3–4 weeks).
Shipping Rush fee does not include expedited shipping. Expedited shipping is available separately at your cost.
Availability Subject to current workload. Must be confirmed before booking. Not guaranteed.

Rush only works if you're responsive

If client delays cause a rush order to miss the expedited window, the rush fee will not be refunded.

Section 5

Shipping & Delivery

carrier and delivery terms

plain english

All domestic orders ship via UPS or USPS with tracking. Risk of loss transfers to the client at carrier pickup. International shipping is available; all duties, taxes, and fees are the client's responsibility. Damaged shipments must be reported within 5 days of confirmed delivery.

Domestic shipping

Ships via UPS or USPS Ground with tracking. Standard transit is approximately 3–5 business days. Base domestic shipping is built into product pricing.

Expedited domestic shipping

Available at your request and expense. Any cost above standard ground shipping is invoiced before shipment.

International shipping

Available case-by-case. All costs — international carrier rates, customs duties, import tariffs, VAT, brokerage fees — are entirely your responsibility. We'll send you an estimate before processing. Transit times vary and are outside our control.

Risk transfers at pickup

Risk of loss and title transfer to the client upon carrier pickup. Meadowlark Paperie is not responsible for delays, damage, loss, or misdelivery occurring after handoff.

Damaged shipments

If your order arrives damaged: keep all original packaging, photograph everything, and email us within 5 days of confirmed delivery. Claims after that window may not be eligible for remedy. We'll review and offer a reprint, partial credit, or carrier claim assistance.

Wrong address

Orders ship to the address provided at booking. Reshipment costs resulting from an incorrect client-provided address are the client's responsibility. Carrier errors will be reshipped at no charge.

Section 6

Postage & Mailing

guest mailing and postage

plain english

Postage is not included in any order and is the client's sole responsibility. Letterpress suites on cotton paper exceed standard mail weight. Weigh a fully assembled suite at the post office before purchasing postage. Meadowlark Paperie has no control over postal handling after mailing.

Weigh before you stamp

Letterpress suites on cotton paper are substantially heavier than standard mail. Bring a fully assembled suite — all inserts, enclosures, envelopes, and embellishments — to your post office to weigh before purchasing postage in bulk. We're not responsible for shortfalls or returned mail due to insufficient postage.

USPS handling

Meadowlark Paperie has no control over postal handling once pieces are mailed. This includes address smudging, damage to embellishments during machine processing, lost pieces, and undeliverable returns. A small percentage of pieces (typically 1–3%) may be undeliverable; verify all guest addresses before submission.

Undeliverable returned pieces

Undeliverable returned pieces are the client's responsibility. Meadowlark Paperie will not reprint or reimburse for mail lost in transit, returned undeliverable, or damaged after mailing.

Section 7

Timelines & Postponements

estimated timelines and date changes

plain english

Production timelines are estimates and are not guaranteed. Notify us promptly if your event date changes. Orders are non-refundable after final approval regardless of event changes.

Semi-custom suite ~4–6 weeks from receipt of all required info and payment
Invitations ~4 weeks
Save the dates ~4 weeks
Fully custom suite Design phase + ~4 weeks production (6–8 weeks total)
Mail invitations 8–10 weeks before wedding (10–12 for destination or heavy out-of-town)
Mail save the dates 6–9 months before wedding

If your date changes before proofing

Contact us promptly. The timeline will be adjusted at no charge, subject to production calendar availability.

If your date changes mid-proofing

The order will be paused. A $50 timeline adjustment fee may apply depending on the scope of changes required.

If your event cancels after final approval

The order is non-refundable in full. If printing has not yet begun, a partial credit toward a future order may be offered at the Studio's discretion.

New wording after a date change

Re-proofing required by a date or venue change counts as a revision round and will be billed at $50 if complimentary rounds are exhausted.

Section 8

The Handmade Nature

handmade process and natural variation

plain english

Letterpress printing on cotton paper is a handmade process. Slight variation in impression depth, ink saturation, and texture between pieces is inherent and is not a defect. Order a sample kit before finalizing ink selections if color accuracy is a priority.

Letterpress variation

Each piece is printed individually on a vintage Chandler and Price platen press. Variation in impression depth, ink saturation, and color tone is inherent to the process and is not a defect, not grounds for reprinting, and not grounds for a refund.

Handmade paper variation

Cotton paper is made by hand. It varies naturally in weight, texture, fiber distribution, and color tone from sheet to sheet. This is part of what makes it beautiful and is not a defect.

Color accuracy

Ink is mixed by hand. Printed colors may differ from digital representations, inspiration images, or reference samples due to screen calibration, ambient lighting, and paper selection. Exact color matching cannot be guaranteed. A sample kit is recommended for clients where color accuracy is a priority.

Approving a proof = accepting variation

Submission of a final approval constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of the natural variation inherent to letterpress printing and handmade materials. Claims based solely on this variation are not eligible for reprints or refunds.

Section 9

Cancellations & Refunds

cancellation and refund policy

plain english

All payments are non-refundable once design work has begun. Semi-custom orders cancelled before design starts will be refunded minus payment processing fees. Production errors caused by Meadowlark Paperie will be reprinted or credited at no charge to the client.

Semi-custom: cancel before design starts

Cancellation requests submitted in writing before design work begins will be refunded minus any non-recoverable payment processing fees.

Semi-custom: after design begins — no refund

Once design work has commenced, the full payment is non-refundable.

Fully custom: deposit is always non-refundable

The 25% design deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances. If cancelled after the deposit but before production begins, only the deposit is forfeited; the balance, if already paid, will be refunded less processing fees. If cancelled after production begins, the full project fee is non-refundable.

If we make a production error

If a printing or production error is caused by Meadowlark Paperie and does not appear in the signed final approval, the Studio will either reprint the affected pieces at no cost or provide a credit of equal value. This is the sole remedy for Studio production errors.

Approved errors aren't our responsibility

No refunds, reprints, or credits will be provided for errors present in the signed final approval.

Section 10

Ownership & Intellectual Property

design ownership and IP

plain english

All designs created by Meadowlark Paperie remain the Studio's intellectual property. Clients receive a license to use the printed physical pieces for personal, non-commercial purposes. No design files are transferred. Photography of finished suites may be used for portfolio and marketing purposes unless the client requests otherwise at inquiry.

Designs stay ours

All suite designs, artwork, typography, layouts, and design files created by Meadowlark Paperie are and remain the Studio's exclusive intellectual property. Payment grants a limited, non-exclusive license to use the finished physical pieces for personal, non-commercial purposes only. No design rights are transferred.

No files are transferred

Digital files, print-ready files, plate files, and source files are not part of any order. You don't receive them, and we don't send them.

Your wording is your responsibility

The client warrants that all wording, text, and content submitted is either original or properly licensed. The client assumes full responsibility for any intellectual property claims arising from client-supplied content.

Photography & sharing

Meadowlark Paperie reserves the right to photograph finished suites and use those photographs for portfolio and marketing purposes. Clients who prefer their suite not be publicly shared must notify the Studio in writing at the time of inquiry.

Section 11

Liability & Disputes

liability and dispute resolution

plain english

The Studio's liability is capped at the amount paid for the specific order. Disputes should be directed to the Studio in writing before any other remedy is pursued. This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Kansas.

Our liability is capped at your order total

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Meadowlark Paperie's total liability for any claim related to an order is capped at the total amount paid for that specific order.

We're not responsible for downstream costs

Meadowlark Paperie is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including emotional distress, replacement stationery costs, event planning costs, or losses from mailing delays or postal carrier failures.

Force majeure

Meadowlark Paperie is not in breach for delays or failures caused by circumstances outside its reasonable control, including natural disasters, supply chain disruptions, carrier failures, or illness. The client will be notified promptly in such circumstances.

Talk to us first

In the event of a dispute, the client agrees to contact the Studio in writing before pursuing any other remedy.

Governing law

This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Kansas. Any legal dispute is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Accepting these terms

Submission of payment, placement of an order, or signing of a final approval form constitutes acceptance of these terms in full.

questions about these terms?

We're happy to clarify anything before you place an order. The inquiry form is the best place to start.

Get in Touch