Custom Programs BLOG

FAQ Series - Custom Colors?

2008-06-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

We get this same question over and over...."I like xxx on your website...can you do it in another color, font, etc?"

YES! we are CUSTOM programs...so almost everything we do is custom ;-)

The images you see on our site are just examples of work we have done before - anything about them can be changed...colors, fonts, ink, type, graphics, etc. You can like the colors of one image and the graphics from another - we will combine them to make your "perfect" invitation or program! Your imagination is the limit!

FAQ Series - Timing?

2008-06-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Proofs - Once you place an order it can take up to 10 business days (monday-friday) to receive a proof - and yes, sometimes it is even longer - we are a small family run business with only 2 full time employees (and 3 other part time and assembly staff), so it sometimes takes a while to get the initial proof out to you. Once you recieve it though, things usually go pretty quickly - I email back any changes you have and send out a printed mockup - but no, these are not necessarily sent on the day you approve the proof - we have to do everything in batches - otherwise nothing would ever get done ;-)

Once I put on a "design" hat I send out a LOT of proofs all on one day, then have to switch to the "mockup/production" hat to get things sent out - so usually mockups are printed on the tail end of a production run in another day or 2.

Phone calls - I do the same thing with phone calls as well, I return calls in batches a couple of times a day - it is hard to stop what I am doing to answer the phone each time it rings - and I do like to give each client personal attention - so calls are done usually 1st thing in the morning and later on in the afternoon (usually after we have gotten the FedEx shipments sent for the day).

But rest assured - I **LOVE** what we do - I always get excited to get a new order, new design, new project - whatever! And sometimes I don't estimate my time right - I always forget to figure in all those pesky variables like, the internet going down, printers not working right, kids screaming...excited that summer is almost here! etc ;-)

We CAN get programs printed and shipped in day if we need to and we have not missed a wedding yet! We ship all orders via FedEx so they always arrive on time and with tracking info. My husband and I do take pride in our work and strive to provide excellent customer service - I know I can sometimes be a bit slow in getting back to you - there are sometimes just not enough hours in the day (we usually work 12-14 now!), but *I* know I can get everything done in time, so *try* not to worry (I know it is hard for brides sometimes!) if you don't hear right back from us! And of course if you ever have suggestions for us we would love to hear them!

FAQ Series - RSVP Postcards

2008-06-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

I get a lot of the same questions over and over again - so will try to cover a few of the more frequently asked ones in this BLOG.

RSVP cards...you now have an option for either a traditonal RSVP card with envelope or an RSVP postcard. An RSVP postcard is just a traditional printed RSVP card on one side.... and on the reverse the return address is printed for the guest to mail direcly back to the host of the party.

The RSVP postcard take less postage (the host sending out the invitation is supposed to add the stamp so these are paid for your guest) only $.27 for a postcard rate rather than the $.42 a 1st class stamp is! AND you save the extra envelope charge - the Envelopments mix and match line prices everything seperately so you will pay an additional $0.30 (or more depending on size and type of paper) or so for each envelope IN ADDITION to the $0.42 stamp to send your RSVP in an envelope! - it really adds up once you purchse one of these for all your invitations!

Babies and Grads!

2008-04-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

Spring seems to be the time for baby showers - I have been to 3 just in the past month! and with May just around the corner it is time to start thinking about Graduation announcements too. Our Personalized Expressions (PE Pro) Line of invitations is a great way to get an elegant, polished look but without the hassles of hand writing or printing your own invitations. Great for Baby shower invitations, birth announcements, Confirmation and First Communion annoucnements as well as Graduation annoucements - or just a party to celebrate spring! This fabulous line of invitations also has matching notecards, pads and stickers!

Check out the full line here: http://www.custom-programs.com/personalizedexpressions.htm we are still working out the kinks of online ordering for these - but you can fax your order in - a PDF is availble on this page for download and mention code PESPRG to get 10% off and free shipping if you place an order for these before June 1, 2008.

Computerized Addressing!

2008-04-22T16:35:00.000-07:00

As another option to hand addressing your invitations or hiring a calligrapher, I often suggest computer calligraphy to brides. Computer calligraphy gives your invitation's envelope a custom look and can be completed quickly, especially for rush services.

Computerized calligraphy can normally be turned around in 1-2 days and we can set up a proof before you even have all your names and addresses in place - then once you send in your gusts list we can just run with the format you have already approved.

Custom Programs offers an abundance of lettering styles and we can now also do "exquiste addressing" which gives an added TOUCH of sophistication or whimsy for couture styling using graphics, flourishes or monograms. Visit our website to get more information and templates for submitting your guests names.

Broken Finger!

2008-04-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Please bear with me these next few weeks if you experience delays in getting answers to your emails...I broke my finger - taping up a box of invitations of all things....who knew the invitations business was so dangerous! That industrial tape gun just got away from me, my poor finger just wasn't fast enough to get out of the way.

Anyway, I have to keep it "buddy" taped to the finger next to it, so everything is a bit more slow going these days, especially typing...so please be patient if you don't get an answer to your email back right away, it it taking about 24 hours at least to get back to all of them! ;-)

Thanks for your patience!

Reception Stationery

2008-03-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

I always love seeing our products "in action" here are a few placecards and table cards from a recent wedding using the ever popluar "starfish" theme. Let us know if you have any pictures of our work from your event you would like to share - we would love to publish them!

Postage Rate Increase!

2008-03-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, the post office has done it again...announced a postage rate increase beginning May 12, 2008. I send a lot of samples and large envelopes, and was *just* starting to remember what the postage was for each! darn it!

Anyway, summer brides be sure to stock up on the FOREVER stamps for your RSVP cards if you are planning on sending your invitations anytime in April, May or June - just to be sure the RSVP gets back to you in time no matter when your guest decides to drop it in the mail! See more details on the rate increase here: http://www.usps.com/prices/welcome.htm?from=bannercommunications&page=prices The first ounce of a first-class letter will rise to 42 cents and the cost to mail a postcard will also go up a penny, to 27 cent.

Most invitations are currently taking $.58 stamps, and in May this will go to $.59 but always have your invitation checked and weighed at the post office to make sure! for this rate, invitations need to be Rectangular, At least 3-½ inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick
No more than 4-¼ inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick. If your envelope is larger than this or square you will need an additional stamp see the guidelines here: http://www.usps.com/businessmail101/mailcharacteristics/cards.htm

To avoid marring your pretty invitations with all those "make-up" postage stamps you may want to consider doing custom stamps....you can use your photo or purchase one of their pre-made designs. Custom Programs can do this for you for an extra fee and use the same motif or monogram you are using on your invitations! See more information on custom stamps here: http://photo.stamps.com/Store/wedding-advisor/ or here: http://www.zazzle.com/knot?ZCMP=pl3knot

Another tip: if you have a thick envelope like for Envelopments® invitations - or your invitation uses a bulky item like a rhinestone or ribbon, take your finished invitations to the post office and request that they "hand cancel" them. This saves one trip though their automated machines at least, and may save some of the mangling that can occur when it is sorted later! (I have heard that the teller can choose not to do this for you though - especially if they are busy - I heard one bride had to visit 3 post offices to get this done - and then ended up using their stamp to do it to free up the teller!) Good Luck!

Color Trends and Invitation Consultations

2008-02-22T14:44:00.000-08:00

It is still early in the year but so far I have had lots of requests for gold colors this year. Golds & blacks, gold & green, gold & purple. And some others are increasingly popluar as well, purple & brown and of course the ever popluar "tiffany" blue color are big so far.

I always look forward to consultations whether it be email, phone or in person - every bride is so different and has such a unique look for her wedding. I often come away with a totally new color scheme - colors I would have NEVER thought to put together! Envelopments® new Color Concepts does this beautifully - we are in the process of updating our website with this fabulous new color system, but in the meantime you can view them on Envelopments website to get some ideas for your own invitations.

Envelopments Stock Update:
Envy card stock is on backorder (paper weight is available). The mill has this item on backorder until the end of April. Please contact customer service to check stock/item availability before ordering.

Turnaround Times:

Envelopments strives to get you your orders as soon as possible. At the moment, the standard turnaround of 1-2 days has been challenged due to the busy wedding season, influx of orders and launch of our new line. Please allow 1-3 days for processing before your order is shipped.

We believe our efforts to stay on track with order fulfillment will keep orders leaving in a timely manner, however, we recommend confirming availability and turn-around times on orders that require extensive custom services, large orders as well as any other rush needs during this peak seasonal period. All expedited orders, whether you are requesting 3-day, 2-day, and overnight or rush shipping, ship by the following day if all items are in stock.

CHA Show 2008

2008-02-12T23:49:00.000-08:00

My husband and I just returned from the Winter 2008 CHA Show at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Ca (across the street from Disneyland!) - luckily we are about 15 minutes away from Anaheim so this does not require major travel but we normally go no matter where it is - and it is fun to see new locales when it is a bit further from home.

We always take a full day to see everything - they have everything from new papers and adhesives to yarns and paints...everything a crafter could want!

We stopped a a few booths in particular were our favorites - Pazzles - a creative cutter that can do custom die cuts as well as embossing and engraving - this looks promising and we hope to incorporate it into our product line and services for this year.

Xyron - cool product that laminiates, creates stickers, and generally makes things adhesive - this will be so great for adding the small embellishments and die cuts to programs and invitations!

Kandi Corp - a hot fix rhinestone applicator - and they also sell the hot fix swarovski crystals, pearls and all kinds of other embellishments for adding a little "wow" to invitations. And SO much easier than gluing by hand!

Ka-Jinker - a quick click attachement tool...this works like a retail tagger...you load your embellsiment (they had a good variety of sequins and different shapes and sizes of buttons) it's little needle punches though paper, fabric or whatever and leaves the little "t" on the revese side and your sequin on the front side...very cool, and so easy and less messy than gluing!

KoKuyo - Tape runners and adhesives - We have carried these for a number of years now and of all the adhesive places at the show - I like these the best for a small hand held tape runner. They are great for scrapbookers and fantastic for mounting the Envelopments® products for DIYers. And my kids love using them instead of glue sticks now!

Scotch - Of course their ATG tape gun and tape...I use this for EVERYTHING...even my kids school project and posters. I think of this as the industrial version of the KoKuyo tape runner and love using it!

and last but not least - Envelopments® - I always stop by their booth at the CHA and National Stationery Shows - it is great to put faces with the names of the great customer service staff they have - and it is always fun to see their new samples and talk to desingers Deborah and Ramon about what they may have planned for the future...this show there wasn't too much I hadn't already seen since the new Design Studio was just released last month - but they always have great displays and samples to look at!

Next....the National Stationery Show in May in New York City....we usually make this one a priority but with a new baby this year we may skip it - or do a "power run" red-eye trip and just see the show for a day...stay tuned!

New Envelopments® Are Here!

2008-01-15T23:06:00.000-08:00

Today I received the new Envelopments Design Studio! They have included a number of new samples, and there are lots of new colors, patterns and textures, and even a few new cards and pockets! I am so excited at all the new possibities!

You can see the new digital swatches on my website, or you can purchase a mini swatch deck kit to see all the papers and get a sample Envelopments® card. I look forward to creating special invitations for you!

Their new papers include: Textured Metallics! Stripes, linens, and two shades of reptilian skin patterns are embossed into shimmery paper stocks.

Patterned Papers! Envelopments has created their own patterned papers in great modern designs. Palm and leaf designs, paisley and floral patterns and a couple of abstract designs are each available in several colors.

Patterned Vellums! Beautiful translucent papers that match the new paper patterns.

Envelope Liners and Colored Envelopes! Available to match or coordinate with your invitations. For that extra punch of extravagance or fun.

New Cards and Pockets! There are a number of new card desings as well - a signature Z-card, a landscape Portable Pocket® and somehting I have been waiting for - the new Signature Side Pocket Fold®. See diagrams of all the new sizes and shapes on my website.

I know I will be having a blast this year thinking up new designs to ues all these fun new styles!

Multiple pages for Fan Programs

2007-12-31T00:16:00.000-08:00

Well, after hundreds of requests to print on the back of the fan programs (sorry still can't do this) and add extra pages, we have finally found a new eyelet vendor and their eyelets are so much better than our old ones - we are now able to add up to 9 pages (leafs) to the wedding fan programs without them falling apart. Of course there will an extra charge for the additional pages, but this will be so much better for all of the brides who need to have more text in their program! We are excited to be able to offer this...finally!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-24T22:04:00.000-08:00

While I am still techincally on maternity leave (well a break anyway) I seem to have timed it perfectly as we are "off-season" for weddings, so orders are lighter right now. I plan to be back on a more structured work schedule again staring January 3. In the meantime, I am loving the "spare" time I have to research new products and work on new samples. I am hoping to have some new addtions to the invitation gallery by the end of December. And Envelopments has just released new envelope liners and and I am eagerly anticipating the release of their new line of patterned papers! See the envelope liners and preview their new items.

A friendly reminder: 2008 Brides start planning now! - custom invitation orders for January weddings are RUSH already (boy, the new year sure sneaks up!), February wedding custom inviation orders need to be placed by December 1 to allow plenty of time for proofs and revisons and the 6-8 weeks to mail!

New Baby Boy!

2007-10-31T23:29:00.000-07:00

We have a new addition! I actually just had a baby on October 30. Collin was born at 4:48pm. I opted for the early hospital release as it is impossible to sleep with nurses trying to take vitals every 2 hours...heck the baby slept right though it! So far he is a very quiet and easy going boy...we will see how long this lasts with 2 obnoxious and loud older sisters at home! But I am still working, as a business owner it is almost impossible to take a "leave" but I am cutting back my work hours and will be working at odd hours until we find our new routine. Things seem to take me a little longer these days. Please be patient as it takes me a day or so to answer emails and usually 2 days to get back to phone messages. But rest assured I will answer! ;-)

Construction!

2007-09-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

We have decided to add on to our house, construction began on August 2 and is moving very quickly, but since we operate our business out of our home and garage this has but a bit of a kink in our day to day business - everything has moved to various rooms to accommodate the various changes the contruction is making. And the pounding...who knew they guys have to pound EVERYTHING! Unfortunately this make taking calls and talking on the phone a bit of a trick, so if you can email please do! I can usually get back to calls by about 4pm when the contruction guys leave for the day, but since I am in CA this usually is not a great time to call back East coast customers - PLEASE leave a message and I will get back to you usually the next day during breaks in the pounding. On the plus side when the addition is finshed we will have 500 more sq ft of dedicated office space for the business!

The Best DJ Ever!

2007-07-30T00:53:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Chris and Kristi Bartee! My brother and my new sister-in-law, had a beautiful wedding with a fabulous DJ - he kept the reception moving along and even had some great games to get the guests involved.

Photos by http://www.jessicaverma.com

Chris and Kristi had great favors...coaster that they inserted their engagement photo into...a cute keepsake!Custom Programs did their fan wedding program with a pumeria motif and the same fonts to match their invitations. My daughters were flower girls...and the little one even caught the bouquet! Better watch out for this one Dad! ;-)

A kid friendly wedding

2007-07-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my cousin Joe Simmons and his new wife Danielle! We spent the weekend in San Deigo for this wedding, and what a treat! Danielle comes from a big family with lots of children, so this was the kid-friendliest wedding we have ever been to! What a great break for the parents to enjoy a reception too!

They had facepainting, balloon animals, a magic show, lots of dancing and a huge yard the kids ran around on all night!

And of course I have to show off the finished products we did for them - fan wedding programs, pocketfold invitations (similar to the Tailored Gift Wedding on our gallery), favor stickers and tags...all to match of course! ;-)

My 1st Blog Entry

2007-03-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new BLOG! I am still new to this Blogging thing although I have been online for years! I am *hoping* to update this with current projects and news often - but I also often over-extend myself thinking I can do more than I actually can! My plan is to update every week but probably once a month is more likely... unless I come across something new and exciting I just have to share! Thank you for your visit! This is the place to find out the latest news and up to the minute happenings with Custom Programs.