Thank you for your interest in a commission or custom design! I look forward to creating a physical form of your dream! While I cannot wait to hear all about the ideas for your project, I know you may have some questions about the project process and payments. My goal is that the process will be as stress-free as possible, so I have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions.
Custom Project Process
Upon receipt of your custom quote request, I will connect with you to discuss the details of your project. Depending on the type of project and your geographical location, this will be done in person, over the phone, by email, by social media messenger, or online call (such as skype or facebook). During this call, we will discuss details of what you are looking for, size, dates available, and more.
After our call, I will create a custom invoice for your specific project. If more time is needed to evaluate pricing, we will discuss that during the call. I will send you the invoice via email and will begin work on your project upon receipt of your payment or retainer fee, on the date agreed upon.
Retainer Fees vs. Full Payment
For projects under $100, payment is due in full prior to the beginning of your project. Upon receipt of your payment, I will begin your project on the start date discussed during our call. This payment will secure your start date on my calendar.
For projects over $100, I will require 50% down to secure your project start date on my calendar. This fee is non-refundable and will be required for me to start any work on your project. If you have unforeseen circumstances, please reach out to me and we can discuss options regarding your non-refundable retainer.
The remaining 50% will be required prior to receipt of your project. I will only ship a project or send a digital file once the final payment has been received and processed.
What if I don’t like what I receive?
Due to the nature of custom projects, returns are often difficult to process. To make sure that you are in love with your final project, I will be in continuous contact with you throughout the process. I will be sending you examples, process pictures, and more. Depending on your timeline and the type of order you are making, I may even send you samples of your project or similar ones, when necessary. Many projects also have a series of revisions available to guarantee that the end product is what you are looking for.
If, in the end, you still do not like the product that you receive, please reach out to me and I will work with you to make any changes or discuss the possibility of a refund. Please note this is dependent on your project, so I cannot give a blanket response to refunds and additional changes.
What if I cannot afford 50% down?
If you are having trouble affording the payment needed, please don’t hesitate to connect with me and I will see if we can work out a specific payment plan. This will depend greatly on your timeline and the type of project you are looking to have, so we will need to discuss the details of that project to see if there is any way I can help you.
How will I receive my invoice?
All invoices will be sent to you online via email. We will discuss the timeline for payment during our call as it may be dependent on your specific project.
How will I pay my invoice?
You will be able to pay your invoice through the invoice itself. It will lead you to a trusted online payment system. This will allow your payments to be processed quickly and work to begin on your project as soon as possible. If you are local, we may discuss alternative payment systems, but that is dependent on your project and geographical location.
Will I have to sign a contract?
Yes. I will create a contract that will be sent electronically for you to sign prior to starting any work on your project. This will be due at the same time as your retainer fee. In this contract, I will lay out the details of what we agreed upon from connecting previously. Prior to signing this contract, you need to make sure there are not any changes you are wanting to make. Any additional changes we make after signing the contract will require an additional signature to approve them.
How do I get a custom quote?
For Calligraphy, please fill out the form on my Calligraphy page.
For Art Commissions, please contact me to discuss what your are wanting.
I will connect with you upon receipt of your request and set up a call with you to discuss the details. After our call, I will send you the custom quote.
What information will you need from me?
While this is very dependent on the type of project, here are some examples of the information I may need:
- Description of the painting you are looking to receive
- Estimated guest count or pieces needed
- Date you would like your project in hand
- Quote, Word or Bible Verse that you would like lettered
- Potential colors for paper, inks, and more
- Inspiration images, preferably on a Pinterest board
- An estimated budget for your project
If I need any additional information I will let you know prior or during our call.
Please note: If you are getting place cards or envelopes addressed, I will need a typed document (Word, Excel, Google Drive, etc…) with names and/or addresses exactly as you would like them written. Please make sure there are no spelling errors, I will be writing these exactly as I see them.
Do you offer any discounts or coupons?
Occasionally, I will run seasonal specials and coupons. To ensure that you find out about all these exciting deals, please sign up for email notifications below. Plus, you will receive a coupon code just for signing up!
[convertkit form=5034286]Have any additional questions?
If you have any additional questions, please take a moment to connect with me directly. You can also find me on social media:
Facebook: @ericagilliamstudio
Instagram: @ericagilliamstudio
Pinterest: @ericagilliamstudio