Terms & Conditions
This Stationery Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of [Date] by and between:
Seller / Business Owner:
Niki Lee Shipman, on behalf of Niki Lee Shipman LLC, a Michigan limited liability company doing business as Niki Lee Stationery (“Seller”), with a principal place of business at [Seller Address];
Buyer / Client:
[Client Name], [Client Company, if applicable], located at [Client Address] (“Buyer”).
Collectively, the Seller and Buyer are referred to as the “Parties.”
1. Scope of Services
Seller agrees to provide custom stationery products and related design services as described in the proposal or estimate provided to Buyer (collectively, the “Services”). Any items or services not specifically listed in the proposal or estimate shall be considered additional and may require a separate written agreement. Buyer acknowledges that the Services are tailored to their specifications and that any modifications, additions, or substitutions may affect pricing, timelines, and availability.
2. Design and Proofs
a. Buyer will receive digital proofs prior to production.
b. Invitation suites will receive three (3) rounds of proof revisions, while save-the-dates will receive two (2) rounds of proof revisions, as stated in the order form for each product. Additional revisions beyond the included rounds will be billed at a rate of $75.00 per revision.
c. Buyer is solely responsible for reviewing all details, including but not limited to spelling, grammar, names, addresses, and event information. Seller shall not be responsible for errors contained in any proofs approved by Buyer.
d. If Buyer purchases printed mailing addresses (guest or return), Seller will print them as part of the order. Buyer must review and approve all proofs prior to printing.
e. If Buyer purchases a printed sample of the stationery, the sample is intended to provide an approximation of the look and feel of the materials and ink colors. Buyer acknowledges that the final printed materials may vary slightly due to manufacturer processes, including paper and ink variations.
f. Buyer acknowledges that colors may vary between digital screens, printed samples, and final printed products.
3. Timeline
a. Acknowledgment of Terms
Upon submission of Buyer’s order and payment, Buyer acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Buyer shall confirm this acknowledgment by checking the designated box on the order form or signing the agreement.
b. Invitations & Save the Dates
i. Upon submission of Buyer’s completed questionnaire, Seller shall deliver the first digital proof within four (4) business days.
ii. Buyer shall review the first proof and submit any requested revisions within three (3) calendar days of receipt.
iii. Seller shall deliver the second proof within four (4) business days of receiving Buyer’s requested changes. Buyer shall review the second proof and submit revisions or approval within three (3) calendar days.
iv. Seller shall deliver the third proof, if needed, within four (4) business days of receiving Buyer’s requested changes to the second proof. Buyer shall review the third proof and provide final approval or requested revisions within three (3) calendar days.
v. Additional Revisions: If Buyer requests further revisions beyond the included rounds, each additional round will be billed at $75 per round.
vi. Once the third proof (or any additional revisions requested and paid for) is approved, the order will proceed to production.
c. Smaller Accessories (e.g., vellum wraps, add-ons)
i. No proofs or revisions are included. Production will begin immediately upon full payment.
d. Custom Watercolor Artwork
i. Seller shall deliver a single digital proof, including two layout/cropping options, within seven (7) business days of order placement.
ii. Buyer shall review the proof and select their preferred layout within three (3) calendar days.
iii. Once the proof is approved, production will begin. No additional revisions are included.
e. General Production & Delivery
i. Failure by Buyer to meet the response deadlines described above shall relieve Seller of responsibility for any resulting delays.
ii. Production and delivery timelines, including proofs, revisions, and shipping, may be adjusted at the Seller’s discretion.
4. Payment Terms
a. Retainer. A non-refundable retainer equal to fifty percent (50%) of the total contract price is due upon execution of this Agreement. This retainer secures design services, materials, and production time. Work will not begin until the retainer is received. The retainer may only be refundable under the circumstances described in Section 7(c) if Seller is unable to complete the work due to catastrophic or unavoidable events.
b. Final Balance. The remaining balance is due in full upon Buyer’s final proof approval and prior to the commencement of printing. No order shall be printed, assembled, or shipped until payment has been received in full.
c. Binding Invoice. Buyer agrees to pay Seller in accordance with the invoice generated in connection with this Agreement. The invoice, as may be updated pursuant to this Section, forms a binding part of this Agreement.
d. Adjustments to Scope or Services. Buyer acknowledges that the total amount due may change if Buyer requests:
1. Changes in design, quantities, or materials.
2. Addition or removal of embellishments, assembly services, or upgrades.
3. Expedited or rush production and/or shipping.
4. Special handling or packaging.
5. Any other modification to the original scope of work.
Any such adjustments will be reflected on an updated invoice and shall be paid by Buyer in accordance with the revised payment schedule.
e. Rush Fees. Requests for expedited timelines are subject to Seller’s availability and approval. Rush services, if accepted, will incur additional fees as specified on the updated invoice.
f. Late Payments. If any payment is not received by the due date listed in the invoice, Seller may, in its sole discretion, suspend Services until payment is received. Seller shall not be responsible for delays resulting from Buyer’s late payments. Late payments may also be subject to a service charge of one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month (or the maximum permitted by law, if less).
g. Non-Refundability. All payments, including the non-refundable retainer, are generally non-refundable, except as expressly provided in Section 7 (Refunds & Cancellations). Buyer understands that design services, custom printing, and reserved production time are expended upon commencement of work.
5. Shipping and Delivery
a. Origin. Orders are shipped from Seller’s studio in New York.
b. Production. After Buyer approves the final proof, the order will enter production with Seller’s printing partners. Production typically takes 7–10 business days, excluding weekends and U.S. government holidays.
c. Shipping Insurance. Seller agrees to purchase shipping insurance through the carrier to cover the declared value of the order. The cost of insurance is included in the shipping line item on the proposal, which is required for all orders. Expedited shipping options are available at Buyer’s request and expense.
d. Carrier Delivery. After production, Seller shall deliver the order to the carrier for shipment to Buyer. Delivery typically requires 3–7 business days, depending on location and carrier schedules.
e. Risk of Loss. Risk of loss, damage, or delay passes to Buyer upon Seller’s delivery of the order to the carrier.
f. Buyer Responsibilities. Buyer is responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address. Seller shall not be responsible for delays, misdelivery, or damage occurring after the order leaves Seller’s control.
g. Estimated Timelines. Buyer acknowledges that production and shipping times are estimates only. Seller shall not be liable for delays caused by manufacturers, carriers, weather, or other circumstances beyond Seller’s reasonable control.
h. Delivery Estimates. Estimated total time from final proof approval to delivery is approximately 2–3 weeks; however, delivery dates are not guaranteed.
6. Assembly and Mailing
a. Unassembled Items. Unless otherwise stated in the proposal, all stationery items are delivered unassembled.
b. Buyer Responsibilities. Buyer is responsible for all assembly not explicitly included in the proposal, including the application of postage and mailing of invitations. Buyer acknowledges it is their responsibility to confirm proper postage requirements with the U.S. Postal Service. Seller shall not be liable for invitations or other stationery returned due to insufficient, incorrect, or missing postage.
c. Included Assembly. Seller shall assemble only the items explicitly listed in the proposal. Assembly may include tasks such as gluing envelope liners or other limited assembly. Any additional embellishments or assembly requested by Buyer (e.g., tying bows, adding decorative elements) will incur additional fees as noted in the proposal.
d. Advisory Notes and Tips. Seller may provide tips, tutorials, or links regarding assembly, mailing, or embellishments (e.g., weighing invitations for postage, hand-canceling, tying bows, or using wax seals). These tips are provided for educational purposes only. Buyer acknowledges that following these tips is voluntary and that Seller shall not be responsible for any errors, damage, delays, or postage issues resulting from Buyer’s use or non-use of such advice.
e. No Mailing Services. Seller does not handle domestic or international mailing. Buyer is fully responsible for delivery to recipients, including postage, packaging, and compliance with postal regulations.
f. Proof Responsibility. Buyer must approve all proofs for any printed elements, including addresses and embellishments, prior to production. Seller shall not be responsible for errors in any approved proofs.
g. Risk & Liability. Buyer assumes all risk for assembly, mailing, and embellishment of the items once they leave Seller’s studio. Seller shall not be liable for any delays, loss, damage, or other issues occurring after shipment to Buyer.
h. Special Instructions. Any special assembly instructions or requests must be clearly noted in the proposal. Additional services beyond what is specified will be billed separately and may extend the timeline for delivery.
7. Refunds, Returns, and Cancellations
a. Non-Refundable Retainer. The retainer paid at the time of signing this Agreement is generally non-refundable, as it secures custom design services, materials, and production time.
b. Custom Work. All wedding stationery is custom-designed for Buyer. Orders, once proofed and approved, are non-refundable because they are personalized and cannot be resold.
c. Refund or Cancellation for Catastrophic Events.
a. Non-Refundable Retainer. The retainer paid at the time of signing this Agreement is generally non-refundable, as it secures custom design services, materials, and production time.
b. Custom Work. All wedding stationery is custom-designed for Buyer. Orders, once proofed and approved, are non-refundable because they are personalized and cannot be resold.
c. Refund or Cancellation for Catastrophic Events.
If Seller experiences a catastrophic event, including but not limited to severe illness, injury, death, natural disaster, or any other event beyond Seller’s reasonable control that prevents completion of the work, Buyer shall be entitled to a refund of the retainer and any payments made for work not yet completed.
If Seller is able to complete the work, making reasonable efforts to provide the Services in accordance with this Agreement, the retainer and other payments are non-refundable, even if Buyer is ultimately dissatisfied with the final product.
Buyer acknowledges that unforeseen events may delay production or delivery, and such delays do not automatically entitle Buyer to a refund unless the work cannot be completed.
d. Grounds for Refund or Correction.
Buyer may request a refund or correction only if the final printed materials contain errors that are:
1. Directly caused by Seller (e.g., printing mistakes or assembly errors not approved in proof).
2. Not due to Buyer-approved proofs (e.g., spelling, addresses, or other details confirmed by Buyer).
e. Limitations.
Buyer cannot receive a refund or replacement for:
1. Minor color variations between proofs, printed samples, and final product.
2. Items that are delivered unassembled if assembly was not included in the proposal.
3. Buyer errors or omissions in proofs that were approved prior to production.
4. Delays in production or shipping caused by manufacturers, carriers, weather, or other circumstances outside Seller’s reasonable control.
5. Buyer dissatisfaction due to personal preference (e.g., design, style, color perception, or paper texture) once proofs were approved.
6. Postage errors, mailing errors, or items lost or damaged after leaving Seller’s studio.
f. Refund Procedure.
1. Buyer must submit any claim in writing to Seller within 7 days of delivery or notification of inability to complete the work.
2. Claims will be evaluated by Seller on a case-by-case basis.
3. Refunds, if approved under catastrophic or unfillable circumstances, will include the retainer and payments made for uncompleted work. Refunds for completed work are not permitted.
g. Cancellation Policy.
1. Buyer-Initiated Cancellation. Buyer may cancel the order before proofs are created by notifying Seller in writing. The retainer shall be retained unless Seller is unable to fulfill the work due to catastrophic or unavoidable circumstances as described above.
2. Seller-Initiated Cancellation or Suspension. Seller may cancel or suspend any order for reasons including illness, life emergencies, or other unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, Buyer is entitled to a refund of any payments made for work not yet completed, including the retainer if applicable.
3. Seasonal or “Sold Out” Policy. Seller may decline to accept new orders, limit availability, or temporarily pause acceptance of work during periods when the business is fully booked, on vacation, or otherwise unavailable. Buyer acknowledges that Seller’s availability may vary seasonally and that no work can be guaranteed outside of confirmed order acceptance.
8. Limitation of Liability
a. Seller’s liability for any claim related to the services or products under this Agreement shall be limited to the amount paid by Buyer for the affected items.
b. Seller shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to lost time, loss of enjoyment, or emotional distress.
c. Buyer acknowledges that all estimates regarding color, assembly, shipping, and production times are approximate and not guaranteed.
d. Buyer’s exclusive remedies for any issues with the order are limited to those expressly outlined in Section 7.
9. Errors, Damages, and Reprints
a. Seller’s liability for any claim related to the services or products under this Agreement shall be limited to the amount paid by Buyer for the affected items.
b. Seller shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to lost time, loss of enjoyment, or emotional distress.
c. Buyer acknowledges that all estimates regarding color, assembly, shipping, and production times are approximate and not guaranteed.
d. Buyer’s exclusive remedies for any issues with the order are limited to those expressly outlined in Section 7.
10. Intellectual Property
a. Ownership: All artwork, designs, and digital files created by Seller remain the exclusive property of Seller unless otherwise specified. Seller retains all rights to reproduce, sell, or use the artwork in any manner, including in its library or for resale.
b. Limited Use by Buyer: Buyer may reproduce artwork only where explicitly specified in the item description. Examples include:
A digital file intended for Buyer to print locally or through an online print house.
Custom artwork where a personal use license is purchased (e.g., $100 for a custom watercolor venue design), allowing Buyer to use it solely for personal use related to their event, such as on napkins, signage, or other event items.
c. Exclusivity Option: Exclusive rights to a design may be purchased through Seller’s shop. Purchasing exclusive rights ensures that Seller will not resell or reuse the same design for other clients.
10. Force Majeure
a. Seller shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance under this Agreement due to events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters, acts of God, labor disputes, supply shortages, pandemics, government actions, or disruptions in shipping carriers.
b. In the event of a Force Majeure, Seller shall notify Buyer as soon as reasonably possible and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resume performance in a timely manner.
11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
a. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to its conflict of law rules, consistent with the legal registration of Seller as a Michigan limited liability company.
b. The Parties agree to attempt to resolve any disputes arising under or related to this Agreement through mediation prior to initiating any legal action. Mediation shall be conducted in a mutually agreed-upon location or virtually, and each Party shall bear its own costs associated with mediation unless otherwise agreed.
c. If mediation is unsuccessful, any legal action or proceeding shall be brought exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Michigan, and Buyer consents to the jurisdiction and venue of such courts.
d. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller may report income and pay taxes in accordance with applicable laws in the State of New York based on its owner’s residency.
12. Limitation of Liability
a. Seller’s total liability under this Agreement, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall not exceed the amount actually paid by Buyer under this Agreement for the affected items.
b. Seller shall not be liable for any consequential, incidental, or indirect damages, including but not limited to: mailing delays, lost or returned invitations, missed RSVP deadlines, venue-related issues, or any other consequential losses arising from the use of the products.
c. Buyer acknowledges that estimated production and shipping times are approximate and that minor variations in final products are inherent to printed and handmade goods.
13. Acknowledgments
Buyer acknowledges and agrees that:
a. Buyer has reviewed and approved all final proofs prior to printing.
b. Minor variations in color, texture, alignment, or finish are inherent to printed and handmade goods and shall not constitute defects or grounds for refund.
c. Seller has fully advised Buyer of their responsibilities regarding assembly, postage, and mailing, including verifying postage requirements and handling delivery to recipients.
14. Entire Agreement
a. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements, or representations, whether written or oral.
b. No modification, amendment, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by both Parties.
