What
exactly does the map design process entail?
How do I place my order?
Will I see a proof of my map? What if something
needs to be changed?
Why can't I revise the map area on my proof?
If I don’t see an icon I like, can I choose
something else?
What do you mean when you say you only design
'to scale' maps? What if I want a 'not to scale' map?
Can you do rush orders?
When is payment for the map due?
Do you offer
cancellations or refunds?
When can I expect my first proof?
I'd like our map to have the same fonts as our
invitations. Is this possible?
What if the fonts used on my invitation are commercial?
How much advance time do you need to create my
wedding map?
I need my map tomorrow! Is this possible?
Why would I want a .JPG or Adobe .PDF file?
Can you print my map?
Do you offer color maps?
Do you ONLY design maps for weddings?
What
exactly does the map design process entail?
The map design process is actually
pretty simple. Once your order form
is received, Distinctive Directions
guarantees a response within 24 hours, unless otherwise specified on
the order form page of our website.
We will review your information and send you an agreement via e-mail.
The agreement will outline your order and detail how much your order
will cost. Once the signed agreement and payment are returned to Distinctive
Directions the map design process begins! You will be sent a proof of
your map via e-mail. We will then complete any revisions your map requires!
How
do I place my order?
Please visit our order
form page, and fill out the entire page as thoroughly as possible.
If you do not feel comfortable sending your information online, feel
free to contact us via e-mail for a manual
order form that you can fill out and
send via mail or in person.
Will
I see a proof of my map? What if something needs to be changed?
Yes!! A proof will be delivered
to you via e-mail. We recommend printing
your proof after you receive it to ensure it is legible on paper! Sometimes
the text size is hard to judge on your computer monitor. The proof will
print exactly to size, so if it appears any larger than the size specified
on your order form, adjust your printer settings. All maps are considered
finalized 48 hours after the proof delivery date. Any further revisions/additions
after that allotted time has expired will be completed at $25 per round
of revisions. Please be advised, revisions to the map area covered will
not be accepted.
Why
can’t I revise the map area on my proof?
After the proof has been delivered,
it is very difficult to go back and add additional areas onto the map.
Most of the time, it's easier for the map designer
to just start over. Adding pieces of area that are currently outside
of the current map area will require adjustments to all map attributes
- text size, road size, icon size, highway symbols, reformatting, etc.
etc. It is very important that we are given 3 – 5 outermost intersections
to be included on the map area. We will in turn include these intersections
and the area inside while considering the essential highways listed
on the order form. This also apply to
the areas included inside of magnification
windows. While it’s easier to predict an appropriate area
for a magnification window versus
the overall map area, we still recommend using the method above to ensure
the required area is magnified.
Should these fields be left blank, we must design the map to the best
of our ability with the information we are given.
If
I don’t see an icon I like, can I choose something else?
Absolutely! We have access to thousands
of fonts, icons,
compasses, wedding graphics, etc. Just
e-mail us and we’ll try to find
something that you like! If you have a graphic that you’d like
to use, please e-mail it to us and we
would be more than happy to include it on your map for you!
What
do you mean when you say you only design 'to scale' maps? What if I
want a 'not to scale' map?
All of our maps are drawn 'to scale'.
If you were to search your location on mapquest, google maps, or other
mapping website you will find our maps are drawn exactly as represented
on the screen. It's a true representation of the area. Maps that are
drawn 'not to scale' would be similar to a hand drawn map you would
give to a friend to locate your home. If you'd like to consider a 'not
to scale' map, all maps will be accessed an additional $25 fee in addition
to the package price due to the additional
time and effort a 'not to scale' map requires. Visit our Not To Scale
Map section on our Portfolio Page for some
Not To Scale Map examples.
Can
you do rush orders?
Of course! For any map proofs to
be delivered within 72 hours a rush charge of
$25 will be accessed. Our map designers will be available to
you after normal business hours and on weekends to assist with your
rush order. If you need your map within the next 24 hours, please call
us at 817.750.1183.
When
is payment due?
We require payment in full to be
made prior to any design work on a map to begin; however, please read
the questions below regarding cancellations and refunds.
Do
you offer cancellations or refunds?
If for any reason you need to cancel
your order, we completely understand.
If a proof has not been delivered, a complete refund will be initiated
immediately. If a proof has been delivered, only half of the total payment
will be refunded. Once revisions on a proof have been requested, no
refunds are available.
When
can I expect my first proof?
All maps are designed in
order of due date as specified by the customer. We make every effort
to deliver your map proof to you 1-2 weeks in advance of your proof
delivery date; however, please understand our workload changes hourly!
We cannot guarantee delivery of your proof prior to the specified proof
delivery date on your agreement. We can guarantee your proof will be
delivered no later than midnight (CST) on your specified proof delivery
date.
I'd
like our map to have the same fonts as our invitations. Is this possible?
Yes, of course! We prefer to “match”
the fonts and styles used on your invitation
and mirror those on your map. If you have an example of what you'd like
(such as your actual wedding invitation), we will use that to locate
fonts that best match the fonts
used on your invitation. If known, please document the actual font
name on your order form; however, if the name of the font
on your invitation is unknown, we strive to find the closest match.
If you need assistance with font choices, feel
free to e-mail us or visit our font
page.
What
if the fonts used on my invitation are commercial?
For those that are unaware, commercial
fonts are those that are not FREE. You must purchase
them in order to use them. A good example is Bickham Script. It is a
very popular commercial font and is used on many of our wedding maps.
Distinctive Directions has access to thousands of free fonts;
however, occasionally we do have clients that prefer to use a commercial
font. If we do not have the commercial font
in our library we will be willing to purchase the font,
but only at your expense.
How
much advance time do you need to create my wedding map?
Our preference is to have as much time as possible!
If you have all of your available information, then by all means, submit
your order form, begin the map design
process and check it off your list!
I
need my map tomorrow! Is this possible?
Yes, of course! A $25 rush fee will be accessed
on all orders with less than a 72 hour turnaround.
Why
would I want a .jpg or Adobe .pdf file?
The .jpg file can be uploaded to your event website,
your bio on websites like theknot.com, or used anywhere online really!
It’s an image, so you can use it as you’d like! For printing
purposes, we recommend printing directly
from the .pdf file. The .pdf files will print
crisp and clear and exactly to size as specified on your order
form!
Can
you print my map?
Of course! We print on the finest
quality 80lb cover cardstock. We have an endless variety of paper colors,
weights and textures! All of our printed maps are produced in flat print;
however, we do offer other custom printing options such as Thermography
& Letterpress. After your map proof is finalized, printing normally
takes 4-5 business days. If you'd like to see our printed maps in person,
please contact us to make an appointment!
What
forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards, cash, checks,
money orders, and cashier’s checks. We are not responsible for
lost payments in the mail so please send your payments with appropriate
tracking or insurance. If you live in the area, feel free to arrange
an appointment for making payments in person. Distinctive
Directions will require all forms of payment to be cleared prior
to delivery of any final map files. If funds are returned for any reason,
a $35 returned check fee will be charged.
Do
you ONLY design maps for weddings?
Absolutely not! Although weddings make up most
of our map design business, we have also designed maps for many other
events for a variety of occasions and events to include, wedding showers,
baby showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate events, birthday
parties, anniversary parties, holiday parties, and other special events.
If you’re having a gathering and would like to include a map,
then we can design it! Please visit our portfolio
for some very distinctive
maps!
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This site developed and maintained by Amanda Alvarado,
Owner of Distinctive Directions