Our Design Process
At Sterling Stripes, exceptional stationery begins with intentional design. We start with a conversation to understand your vision, then craft bespoke artwork and layouts using refined materials and artisanal techniques like letterpress and foil. We’ll collaborate closely to ensure every piece is a perfect reflection of your day.
1
LET'S CHAT
We start our process by discussing your vision for your wedding stationery. We can connect via phone or email about your ideas and preferences. This conversation allows us to explore all your design options and identify the perfect suite that matches your aesthetics, timeline, and budget. After our initial consultation, we will provide a formal estimate based on the design direction we discussed. If you already have a clear idea of what you want, feel free to skip to step two.
2
ORDER
If you are satisfied with the estimate, we will create an itemized invoice for your review and approval, which requires a 50% deposit. The remaining 50% will be due before we send your items to production. We understand that changes may occur, such as adjustments to quantities, paper sizes, or material choices. Therefore, please know that your invoice can be modified as needed. For instance, if you decide to print fewer items before we send your files to production, we will adjust the remaining balance on your invoice. Please note that the only non-refundable item is any artwork that we create for you.
3
ARTIST BRIEF
After your payment is made, the fun begins. Your designer will create an Artist Brief for you to review and approve. An Artist Brief includes reference photos, verbal descriptions, and additional notes about the project, which will be shared with our Art Department to produce your custom artwork. Once your Artist Brief is completed it will be shared with you for your review and approval.
4
CREATION AND PROOFING
Once the Artist Brief is approved, one of our talented artists will start creating your custom artwork and designing your suite. Upon completion, you will receive a Design Proof containing your custom artwork and layout to review.
5
REVISIONS AND APPROVAL
You'll work 1-1 with your designer to perfect your stationery. Wording, colors, layout, and artwork adjustments can be requested. Three rounds of changes can be requested for free before incurring a $25 fee billed separately for each additional round of revisions. Please note that we give you up to 7 days to respond with revisions. If we have not heard from you within 7 days, we will have to release your assigned artist to move on to another project. If you come back with revisions after the allowed 7 days, a $25 fee is billed to re-engage your artist. Once you're 100% satisfied with your artwork and designs, you'll give your final approval via email. Nothing prints until we have your blessing.
6
PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING
Your order will then be handed off to production. After your items are printed, we will ship them to you with your chosen speed. You will receive a shipping confirmation email once your items are on the way.
1
CUSTOMIZE YOUR ORDER
Add the items you’d like to your cart and personalize each one by selecting your preferred paper type, edge style, ink color, wording, and more.
2
ARTIST BRIEF CREATION
After your order is placed, one of our talented designers will create a detailed Artist Brief for your review. This document includes reference images, written descriptions, and creative direction to guide the artwork process.
3
ARTIST BRIEF REVIEW
After placing your order, your Artist Brief will be shared with you. This is your chance to ensure we’ve captured your vision before we begin illustrating.
4
ARTIST BRIEF REVISIONS
You’ll collaborate one-on-one with your designer to refine the brief. We’ll make revisions until the creative direction is just right. Once approved, your project is handed off to our Art Department for custom artwork creation.
5
STATIONERY DESIGN CREATION
While your artwork is being developed, our design team will begin building your stationery layout, ensuring each element aligns with your approved brief.
6
DESIGN PROOFING
After approving your Artist Brief, you’ll receive your full Design Proof—featuring your stationery with the custom artwork integrated—for review.
7
DESIGN REVISIONS
You’ll continue to work closely with your designer to finalize your suite. One round of revisions is included; additional rounds incur a $25 fee. Please submit your edits within 7 days to keep your timeline on track. After 7 days of inactivity, your designer may be reassigned and a $25 re-engagement fee will apply.
8
FINAL APPROVAL
Once you’re completely happy with the design, you’ll provide your final approval via email. Nothing moves to print without your sign-off.
9
PRODUCTION & SHIPPING
Your suite is then sent to production. Once complete, your order will ship at your selected delivery speed. A tracking email will be sent as soon as your package is on its way.
1
CUSTOMIZE
Add the items you would like made to your cart. Customize each item by filling out all the information in the listing like the paper material, paper edges, ink color, wording, etc.
2
DESIGN CREATION
Once you place your order, one of our talented artists will start designing your suite.
3
PROOFING
Once designed, you will receive a Design Proof containing your layout to review.
4
REVISIONS
You'll work 1-1 with a talented artist to perfect your stationery. One round of changes can be requested for free before incurring a $25 fee billed separately for each additional round of revisions. Please note that we give you up to 7 days to respond with revisions. If we have not heard from you within 7 days, we will have to release your assigned designer to move on to another project. If you come back with revisions after the allowed 7 days, we bill a $25 fee to re-engage your designer.
5
APPROVAL
Once you're 100% satisfied with your design, you'll give your final approval via email. Nothing prints until we have your blessing.
6
PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING
We then hand off our order to production. After printing your items, we will ship them to you at your chosen speed. You will receive a shipping confirmation email once your items are on the way.
ENVELOPE ADDRESSING
1
DOWNLOAD AND POPULATE OUR SPREADSHEET
If you want guest and/or inner addressing, please download our spreadsheet (included in each listing or available here). A correctly populated spreadsheet is required before we can begin designing your envelopes. Do not change the structure of the file — only fill in your information. Whatever is typed is exactly what will be printed. Please double-check spelling and formatting before submission, as all errors are the customer's responsibility.
2
UPLOAD SPREADSHEET
After populating the spreadsheet, upload it in the listing when placing your order, or email it to hello@sterlingstripes.com with your name and order number. If you're working with a designer, send it directly to them. If purchasing custom addressing, include your font file. Note: We import one spreadsheet per order.
3
DESIGN AND PROOFING
Once your order is placed, a designer will review your spreadsheet and lay out the addresses. Once designed, you’ll receive a PDF proof for review. Please review carefully — spelling and grammar are your responsibility. Once approved, we’ll print exactly as shown in the proof.
4
REVISIONS AND APPROVAL
Review your PDF carefully. You get one round of revisions for free. Additional rounds are $25 each. Delays in revisions or approval can delay production, so please review and reply promptly. Once you’re happy, approve your proof by replying to the email with "APPROVED". Production won’t begin until we receive your approval.
5
PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING
Once approved, your envelopes move to production. Your order will be shipped based on the speed you selected. We’ll send a shipping confirmation once they’re on their way!