Frequently Asked Questions

How does the whole process work?

It is a simple 3 step process. First, browse our galleries until you find a design you like, or that can be modified to suit your needs. Secondly, fill out the proof request form and complete the free check-out process. You will receive an instant price quote if you selected the size, paper type, finish and amount that you want. Finally, after you have sent your photos (if applicable) at the appropriate quality with any necessary releases, you will receive your first proof within 2 business days. Each change and additional proof will take up to 2 business days also. Once you have settled on a proof for printing, you will be sent an invoice. Once paid in full, the design will be printed and sent to you.

How long does this take?

Once you have submitted your proof request and sent photos with their releases (if applicable) you will receive your first proof within 2 business days. Any changes will take the same amount of time. Once you have settled on a proof for printing and paid the invoice that is sent to you, the design spends 3 - 5 business days at our professional printing house, and then ships out from our office the next morning. From that point it is generally 2 - 3 days USPS Priority Mail in transit. USPS Express Mail (1-2 days including weekends & holidays) is available upon request. There are no rush services available at this time, so if your event is coming up soon, please make sure you will receive your order in time, based on the longest time stated.

How do I get my photos to you?

There are 2 ways you can submit photos to us.

First, we recommend sending them as direct attachments via email. DO NOT use a service such as AOL Photo Share, Snapfish, Picasa, Kodak, etc. These services will shrink and compress your images to a point where we can not use them. Also, if you use a web-based email (Hotmail, AOL, GMail, etc) be sure to attach your pictures as "Files" and not as "Pictures." Make sure that your order number is in the subject line or the pictures will be deleted.

Secondly, you can mail the photos to us if you do not have access to a scanner or digital copies of the pictures. E-mail Customer Service for our shipping address.

All photos submitted must be taken by you or accompanied by a signed release from your photographer (when you purchase a CD with reprinting rights, it generally comes with a release, please scan that in or take a photo of it and send it to us along with your photos). If your photos appear to be professionally taken but are not, please include a statement to that effect to expedite your order processing.

How should my digital pictures be formatted?

If you are sending us pictures from your digital camera, import them at their original size to your computer and then attach the full-size .jpg images to an e-mail to orders @ lilduckduck.com (if they are larger than 3 MB each, you may size them down for ease of e-mailing without loss of quality). If you are planning on scanning in your pictures, please make sure you are saving them to a .jpg file at 300dpi resolution with at least a 115% size. If you scan in professionally taken photos, they still require a signed release from the photographer.

My scanner isn't working. Can you help me?

Sadly, while we are quite brilliant with our own scanners, there are so many that is difficult to provide support to every model in existance. Your best bet is to read the directions that came with your scanner, visit the manufacturer's website, or if all else fails, go to your local FedEx/Kinko's location where you can use their scanning equipment.

I had a friend/family member take the photo. Do I still need a release?

Yes. This is simply due to the face that many people will lie to us outright to save themselves a little legwork in providing a release for a professional photo. Some have even gone as far as having a friend pose as a photo studio to get out of paying their photographer the required compensation. Therefore we have a very srtict policy on all photos not taken by you: If it is not your photo a release must be given. Simply let us know when you place your proof request that you need a release sent to your friend/family memeber and we will send it to them right away so they can fax it or scan/email it back to us.

Can I use pictures from a professional photo session?

If you are supplying us with a photo taken by a professional photo house, the image is owned by them. We cannot reprint any of these images without consent from the photographer. Release forms are standard and your photo house should have them on file, you may have even received one if you purchased a CD/reprinting rights for your images. If they do not, we can e-mail our release form to your photographer. Please have them e-mail (as an image attachment only with a handwritten signature), fax or snail mail the release to us (contact us for the fax number or shipping address). By sending us your photos & the applicable releases, you certify that you have permission from the photographer to allow Lil' Duck Duck to reprint your images & agree to hold harmless Lil' Duck Duck, LLC, for all costs, expenses, attorney's fees or judgments resulting from any claims or lawsuits made for any grounds claiming that the product produced violates any copyright or proprietary right of any person or entity.

Should I scan in my whole picture or try to crop it myself?

When you are scanning in your photos, feel free to scan the entire photo image (but not the whole scanner bed). We can handle specific cropping needs. It is always better to have more to fall back on than too little.

Can you convert my photos to Black & White and vice versa?

We can convert your image into Black & White as well as sepia. However, we do not have the ability (nor the time) to convert Black & White images into color. If you wish to custom-tint your images (i.e. have a pink bow on an otherwise black & white photo) please do so before sending the image to us, as we do not offer that service at this time.

Do you do any other products such as business cards or novelty items?

We can do other card printings such as business cards, bookmarks, postcards, etc. using a logo that you have already created and for which you own the reprinting rights (we do not do any logo design at this time). Anything involving external objects (i.e. the invitation coming out of a pen, the invitation being attached to a real rubber ducky, ribbons, hole punching, etc) cannot be done at this time, although you may request for a space to be left on your design for you to punch a hole if desired.

Can I call you about my design?

While our toddler, Lil' Duck, is certain that the phone is his own personal property, he's not that great at answering questions for you yet (he's only three!). We work via e-mail because of time constraints, a noisy Lil' Duck and to keep everything in writing (it's the fastest way for us to handle incoming requests). Phone call requests are not currently available due to high order volume.

Can I get envelopes in advance of the actual design order so I can start addressing them?

Sorry, but we do not have extra envelopes available at this time.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. When you place your free proof request and submit your photos, you will be sent an e-mail from our shipping department with an estimated time and cost for shipping to your country. We can ship anywhere the United States Postal Service delivers. You can check the list by going to their site at USPS.com. All times and costs are estimates and the final amount will be sent to you on your invoice once you have approved your final proof. It is also important to note that customs fees, duty taxes or other charges might apply to your country. This is something for which you are responsible, so please keep that in mind when placing an order. Customs delays are also possible, so be sure to allow extra time for your order to arrive.

I am having trouble with the USPS in their delivery of my package.

Once your order has left our office, you are sent a shipping notification with a tracking number for the USPS. If something happens with your package in transit or is delivered to the wrong address, we can not be held responsible if the information provided to us is incorrect. Likewise, if your information is correct and your package has not arrived in the alotted time, you will need to contact your local Post Office for any and all follow up. We have no control once the package leaves our office. Please let the shipping department know if you would like to purchase insurance up to $500 on your order by clicking here.

Can I have a cartoon character or another copyrighted image on my announcement?

Not as a graphic. Most characters, like Mickey Mouse, Dora, Lightning McQueen, etc, are copyrighted images and cannot be used. However, if you have taken a picture of a character, perhaps of figurines on a wedding cake or a street character at a theme park, we can use your photo. We may also use a photo of your child with the themed toy or stuffed animal, wearing a themed shirt, etc, & we can use similar colors & font to create the feel for your themed party. You also may not overlay a copyrighted graphic onto your photo file (clip art is included unless you own the reprinting rights & have a signed document to that effect).

I am not sure what your different stocks look like. Can I order a sample?

Yes. The sample pack will include samples of different designs and our card stock. We cannot offer samples of specific designs at this time as we use a professional printer for each order, we will send you sample designs that we have in stock. Card stock orders are printed right onto the stock using real liquid ink, the weight of the standard stock is 110 lb. and it is finished with a slight gloss coating (you can still write messages on it if desired with a ballpoint pen).

How many changes am I allowed and do you charge per change?

Currently we do not charge for reasonable changes to your order, however, due to time limitations we do have a limit of 7 changes per order. If you do go over that limit, there will be a $15.00 fee per change for time spent. There is no cancellation fee at this time for unpaid proof requests. Also, while we do not charge for your changes, please respect that we are doing proofs for other clients and we can not give you a proof for every design on the site. Please choose one and let us know if you would like to combine elements (you may e-mail us detailed instructions) from various designs. If you have questions please contact Customer Service.

Can you ship orders overnight?

All US domestic orders are shipped via USPS Priority Mail (an estimated 2-3 mail days) after returning from our printer (which has a processing time of an estimated 3-5 business days). USPS Express Mail (1-2 mail days, overnight cannot be guaranteed) is available upon request for an additional fee. International shipping is available, starting at an estimated 5 mail days.

Do you have a printed catalog I can order?

Due to the custom, ever-changing nature of our products, our catalog is kept online only at this time. You may visit our galleries to see all of our designs, of course.

Can I just order the design and print it myself?

This is not available at this time due to high volume & copyright restrictions.

Do you print cards in other languages?

Yes. However, we can not translate the text for you. If you wish to have the text in another language, please provide us with the text in the language you would like it to appear (exactly, checking for grammar & spelling as we will not be able to do that for you). Please send this text via e-mail as plaintext or as an image (screenshot) because our order form tends to eat some characters. You are responsible for spelling & grammar, as always. If you wish for your order to be printed in more than one language, please provide all wording in all languages & each language must be ordered in sets of 25 only due to printer requirements (i. e. we cannot do 15 in English & 15 in Polish, it must be 25 and 25) .

Are envelopes included if I do not order return address printing?

Yes. You will always receive white 28 lb. unlined envelopes with your order with the exception of bookmarks, postcards & Lil’ Ducky cards (2x3.5 small cards). 5x5 cards will be shipped with 5x7 envelopes, 5x5 envelopes are not available (although you may always purchase your own envelopes from your local paper store and use them instead as we do not charge an additional fee for our envelopes).

I am an event planner/photographer and would like to know more about your business.

We are always happy to provide professional design services to photography houses. Please e-mail Customer Service for more information.

Can I get a hard copy of my proof?

No. Due to our use of a professional printer for the best possible quality, we can only print a minimum of 25 cards at a time, therefore we only offer digital .jpg proofing with watermarks. If you wish to see the stock in order to make your final decision, please request one of our free sample packs.

Can I mix and match elements of different designs?

Yes. We realize that everyone has different tastes and want to make your designs as unique as possible. Simply pick the design that matches your final design as closely as possible and in your order reference the other images from which you would like to borrow elements.

Do you accept orders for custom designs?

Many of the designs you see on the site are designs inspired by our clients. Simply pick the design that is closest to your final concept and then describe in detail in your design notes & e-mail what you would like to see changed. We do not create designs entirely from scratch and do not have the staffing to create graphics, clip art, logos or banners at this time.

What kinds of payment do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards via Paypal (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx), eChecks & Paypal payments, all via PayPal as a secure payment processor.You do not need a PayPal account to pay via PayPal, you may use a credit card to pay, this is just a secure way to process your payment. Never send any credit or bank card information via e-mail, it is unsecured and we will not process payment information sent this way for our own protection.

Can I split shipments to two or more different addresses?

Yes, you will pay an additional shipping fee though, of course. If you need part of your order to go to a different address, please make sure you communicate that clearly to us when you send your photos for your proof. You may also split the return address printing (i.e. if you wish to order invitations and then give the thank you cards to the honoree as a gift, we can print your address on the invitation envelopes and their address on the thank you envelopes).

Can you get any design on any of the stocks?

No. For example, photo stock can not be double sided as it is printed on photo paper that has the typical photo backing you get when you develop your own film. Please refer to each product’s individual page to see what type of paper is available for that design.

Can I order different color envelopes?

No. All envelopes come in white and are 28 lb. weight, unlined. 5x5 cards will ship with 5x7 envelopes, 5x5 envelopes are not available. However, you may certainly purchase your own envelopes from a local paper store in any color/weight you wish to fit our cards, we do not charge an additional fee for our envelopes.

Can you do return address printing?

Yes. We will print your return address centered on the back flap of each envelope in black ink only with the matching or a complementary font from your order. Raised or embossed printing is not available. However, we cannot print your individual guest or recipient addresses on the front & do not offer a mailing service at this time.

Will my order be used on your website?

We do use some photos as examples in our galleries with the photographer's permission. We will always change your personal information before posting anything & you may choose when placing your proof request whether you wish your photos to be displayed.