Frequently Asked Questions

How does your pricing work?
We charge a one-time design fee for each card design ordered and cards are priced on a per card basis.  The design fees are based on  the amount of time it takes to create your card.  More elaborate styles cost a little bit more since they take more time to create.  However, the per card price never changes no matter which style you choose.  For custom designed cards, we provide an individual design fee price quote prior to you placing an order.  Please see our styles, fonts and prices page for more information.

How are the cards printed and what type of paper do you use?
Photos printed at home or commercially on an inkjet, laser, or photo quality printer often begin to fade and lose their colors and depth within as few as 5 to 10 years.  At Blue Daisy Greetings, we have chosen a printing method that imitates traditional 35mm photo processing.  Our cards are processed on professional processing paper in a glossy finish, just like a traditional 35mm print.  Because they are professionally processed similarly to traditional film, they will have the same long-lasting archival quality and properties as your traditional photographs.  Therefore,  like most traditional photographs, our cards will remain colorful and stable for decades to come.  This is very important to us and to our customers since your cards and photos will become cherished momentos.  As with any photograph, we recommend storing our cards in acid-free containers or albums, out of direct sunlight.  It takes a few days to professionally process your cards or photos, but they will last a lifetime!

Tell me about preordering envelopes.
We know that many people like to have have their envelopes addressed early and ready to go.  We will mail your envelopes early if you order them before placing a card order.  If you are preordering your envelopes before you order your cards, you simply pay a non-refundable $20 deposit and shipping.  Your $20 will be applied towards your card order.  If you choose not to order cards after the envelopes have been mailed to you, or if you cancel your card order while it is being processed, the $20 is not refundable.   This option is available for up to 99 envelopes.  If you require more than 99 envelopes, please contact us for more information.

What type of envelopes do you provide and do they cost extra?
Our envelopes are included in the price of the cards.  They are heavy weight, pointed flap envelopes, traditionally used for invitations, announcements and stationery.   They are elegant and more formal than regular correspondence-style envelopes.

I didn't see a standard style that I liked, but read that you do custom designs.  Or perhaps I'd prefer a photo design suitable for framing.   What options are available for custom designs?
We do not use any templates or patterns.  We create each card based on our customers' specifications.   We can change or add something to one of our standard styles, create a card similar to one of our custom design samples, or create something completely unique just for you.   We can also edit your photos to create portraits, change your photos to black and white or antique, add custom color tinting, create collages, delete objects from pictures, cut the subject from the original picture, and more.  If you can dream it, we can probably do it.  Our custom design department can also help you if you want a size other than our standard 4x6!   See our custom designs sample page or email us at CustomDesigns@bluedaisygreetings.com for more information.

What type of photo editing can (or will) you do on my photo?
We can remove many blemishes and repair most imperfections in your photo.  We often crop and resize your photo based on the card style that you choose.  When ordering your cards you may choose to have the photo in color, black and white or antique finish.   These services are included in the design fee. For a small extra charge, you also may choose to have custom color tinting added.  This is an especially nice effect on black and white or antique images.  In addition, with our custom design option, our designers can transform your ordinary photos into extraordinary images.  The possibilities are endless....  If you have specific areas of your photo that you want corrected, edited, excluded or included in the the final card, please specify that information in  the "Special Information" section of your order form.   If you want to discuss the graphic design and photo editing possibilities for your cards, please email us at CustomDesigns@bluedaisygreetings.com  

What if my photo has subjects, people or parts of it that I don't want included on my cards? 
Just let us know what area of the photo you want included in the card or excluded from the card.  You can include this information in the "Special Information" section of your order form.  Or, if you think it might be confusing, feel free to copy your photo on a regular black and white copier machine and draw on it to show us what parts of the photograph to include or exclude.  You may send the photocopy to us along with the original photo.

What type of photos can I send?  Do you accept digital photos?
You may send processed/printed photographs to our mailing address.  We suggest that you do not send your only copy of the photograph since we cannot be responsible for the US Postal Service.  We prefer to work with actual photographs, especially if you choose to have a size larger than our standard 4x6.  Your photo will be returned to you in its original condition, along with your order.  You can also send high resolution digital photos, but please read the information regarding digital photos in the "Photography Tips" section of this page.  You may email digital photos to us at photos@bluedaisygreetings.com We do not accept Polaroid photographs or those images printed on an inkjet, laser, or photo quality printer.  If we do not think that your print or digital photograph will result in a high quality, high resolution photo or card, we will let you know.  You will then have the option of providing another photo for us to use.  If you choose to continue with the photo we warned against using, we will not be responsible for the end results.  We will be unable to uphold our guarantee or remake the cards if you are unhappy with your order.

Can I send a black and white photo?
Although we prefer color photos, we would be happy to work with your high quality, black and white photo.

Do you have a deadline for ordering December holiday cards?
Yes, we require that holiday card orders be placed by November 1st in order to insure a December 1st delivery date.  You may order your holiday cards after the November 1st deadline, however,  we cannot guarantee a delivery date.

Can I see a proof of my card before you print it?
Yes, we can send a small, low-resolution proof of your final card design to your email address.  If you choose this option, we will not print your order until you OK the proof.  This may delay the delivery of your order.  If you would like to see a proof before your card is printed, please indicate this in the appropriate spot on the order form.  In addition, once your order has been completely submitted, we suggest that you check your email at least two or three times per day so that you can see and approve your proof as soon as possible.  If we have made a mistake on your cards, we will work with you to correct the problem before printing your order. 

What happens if I decide to cancel my order?
You may cancel your order at no charge up until the time your order is being processed, meaning our designers have begun working on your cards.  You must notify us at customerservice@bluedaisygreetings.com   if you choose to cancel your order.  Your order is not considered canceled until we have confirmed the cancellation.  Once we have received your completed order (order form, photograph, and payment), we will notify you by email  that your order is being processed.  After sending  you this email, if you choose to cancel your order, there will be a $15 non-refundable cancellation fee to cover our costs.

What happens if I decide to make changes to my order?
You may change your order at no charge up until the time your order is being processed, meaning our designers have begun working on your cards.  You must notify us at customerservice@bluedaisygreetings.com   if you choose to change your order.  Your order is not considered changed until we have confirmed the change.  Once we have received your completed order (order form, photograph, and payment), we will notify you by email  that your order is being processed.  After sending  you this email, if you choose to change your order, you will need to pay an additional design fee to cover our costs.  Once the cards are printed,  if you choose to change your order, you will need to pay an additional design fee, along with $1.25 per card to cover some of the costs of reprinting.

What if there is a mistake on my cards or order?
We do our absolute best to insure that no mistakes are made.  However, we all know that they sometimes do occur.  If we make a mistake on your cards, we will correct the mistake and ship you a new set of cards at no charge.  If YOU make a mistake in the spelling or wording on the order form we will ask that you pay for the cost of correcting the mistake and reprinting the cards.  Therefore, we ask that you double, even triple, check your wording and spelling on the order form.  In addition, it is helpful to carefully check your proof when we send it to you, if you choose this option.  If your order is incorrect due to our mistake, we will correct it immediately. 

Can I use a professional portrait or photograph on my cards?
Professional portraits and photographs remain the property of the photographer who took the picture.  We will gladly use a professional photograph or portrait if you obtain written permission from the photographer for us to use it.  You must send us a copy of the signed, written release or permission form along with your photo or order.   It must specifically grant Blue Daisy Greetings permission to use and edit the photograph for the purpose of creating and reproducing your cards.

Will you return my photo?
Yes, your original photo will be returned with your completed order.

I took several photos of my family, but can't decide which one to use.  Can I send them all to you and let you decide?
Yes, our designers would be happy to work with all of your photos and choose the best one for your cards.  In this case, we HIGHLY recommend that you choose the option of seeing an email proof before having the cards printed.  All of your photos would be returned to you with your completed order.

I read that your photo cards are 4x6.  I would prefer to have cards that are larger  in size.  Is this possible? 
Though 4x6 is our standard size, we can make wallet size, 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10 size photos.  We supply envelopes to fit both 4x6 and 5x7 cards.  We don't recommend mailing 8x10s in regular envelopes.  In addition, we will only use the actual photographs, rather than digital images, if you want a size that is larger than 4x6.  Please email us at CustomDesigns@bluedaisygreetings.com for more information or a price quote.

I love the idea of a portrait with color tinting and antique effects.  Is it possible to also order an edited photo, without  text, suitable for framing?
Yes, you can order an edited photo without text.  These can be ordered in wallets, 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10 size, depending on the size of the subjects in the original photo.  If you want a portrait style photo, along with your cards, please email us before placing your card order,  since this is not currently in our price list or on our order form.  For more information or a price quote, email us at CustomDesigns@bluedaisygreetings.com.

Do you ship out of the United States?
At this time, we only offer our products and shipping within the United States.  

Can the text on the cards be printed in another language?
Yes, if we have access to all the characters or letters on a standard US keyboard.   However, you will need to CAREFULLY spell out each word and name in the "Text" section on the order form.  In addition, we highly suggest you choose to have a proof emailed to you for approval prior to printing.

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Photography Tips

Taking the photograph
Your photo greeting cards are likely to become cherished momentos.  We recommend that you take great care in choosing the photograph to display on your cards.  Both portrait and candid style photos will work beautifully.  It often takes many, many shots to get that perfect picture!   Remember that your card will only be as good as your original photograph.

We recommend professionally processed 35mm prints or high resolution digital images for your cards.  In general, we do not use 110, Polaroid, and other instant camera photographs because they typically don't take clear, colorful, high resolution photos.  We cannot use color photocopies, or any photographic image printed on an inkjet, laser, or photo quality printer, regardless of the type of paper used for printing.

We suggest you follow these tips when choosing pictures or taking photographs for your cards.

• It is best for the subject of the photograph to be in front of a plain, light colored, or simple background.  For portrait style and baby photos, a white or off white sheet or comforter thrown over the back of the couch or hung from the wall works great.  Too much color, pattern, or clutter behind the subject will detract from the finished card.  Candid photos look wonderful in front of a natural setting (i.e.-the ocean, trees, water, Etc.). 
• Look carefully at what is behind the subject in the photograph.  Try to avoid unsightly objects, like kitchen clutter, roads, cars (unless it's part of the subject), utility lines, lots of other people, Etc.
• Although our designers can remove blemishes and repair parts of your photo, they cannot fix everything.  Your photos should be clear with good focus, and not blurry.
• Lighting is very important.  If you are indoors, use natural light, overhead lights and lamps, and your camera's flash to insure that you have enough light.    Dark photos and harsh shadows on the subject cannot be corrected while maintaining the quality of the image.  Outdoor photos also look great taken both in natural sunlight and when taken with the fill-in flash on your camera.  In certain situations, the fill in flash makes the subject stand out and minimizes shadowing on the face caused by the sun.
• It is best for the subject to be centered in the photograph and not too close to the top or side edges.  Avoid zooming in too closely.   Being too close to the edges, or too large in the picture, can cause problems when our designers crop the images or create faded vignettes.  It also gives us less room to work.  Be careful to choose photos that do not crop off parts of the subject that you want included in the card.
• To include multiple subjects in the same photo, make sure they are close together.

Special tips for photographing newborn babies.

• The most important thing to remember when photographing a baby is to make sure you have good lighting.  Natural lighting, lamps, and your camera's flash will work well to make sure that your baby is lit from all angles.   You especially want to be sure to have good lighting around the head so that you minimize shadowing on the face and hair.
• Use a little baby lotion or Vaseline on any obviously dry areas of the baby's face.
• Dress your baby in light colored clothing, minimally patterned clothing and position the baby on a  light colored blanket.  Photos can be taken on the floor or bed on top of a blanket or sheet.  For an interesting effect, you can wrinkle up the blanket around your baby.  Photos taken on top of a blanket placed  in the bouncy seat or in a carseat also work well.  Just be sure that the baby doesn't slide down and end up "scrunched up."
• For babies that are laying down, try taking photos at both a 45 and 90 degree angle from the baby.  For babies laying on the tummy, be sure that the head is turned completely to the side. 
• Try to include your baby's hands close to the face in the photograph.
• If you choose an upclose photo and Style 014 for your birth announcement, make sure to include enough of the baby's torso in the photograph to fit the wording of the announcement.  Or center the baby in the photograph, leaving plenty of room around the baby in the picture.
• As stated above, try to make sure that the baby is centered, and not too close to the sides or the edges.  Avoid zooming in too closely.
• When choosing options for your photo, remember that an antique or black and white finish can help to even out a baby's uneven skin tones.

Digital Photographs and Images

• If you are using a print photograph,  we prefer that you send us the actual print and let us scan it professionally.  This insures the highest quality image for your cards.
• If you are using a digital camera, you can email us the image or send it to us on disk.  We generally prefer that you do not send images stored on CD by the photo processing company that printed your photographs.   Generally, these images are stored at about 480 x 640 resolution and that is much too low.
• Digital photographs should be between 1280 x 960 and 2400 x 1600, or larger, in size in order to retain good resolution when printing your cards.  This is about 1.3 (or greater) megapixels.  We've had very good results in the 1472 x 1104 range, though slightly lower also sometimes works well.  Although images smaller than 1280 x 960 dots look good on your computer screen, they will produce poor pictures with jagged edges and possibly with pixels showing.  This is especially true once the images are cropped, edited, and resized.
• Images should be sent to us in jpeg (jpg) format.
• When sending us a digital image, send us the full, uncompressed, non-resized version.

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