Frequently Asked Questions

Asking us up front how much a website, design project, or photo shoot will cost is like asking an architect how much it costs to build a house. There are so many different types and variations that the cost is impossible to estimate without having a lot more details!

Therefore we offer FREE CONSULTATIONS to discuss the project details and explore all available options with the client. After we have all the facts we provide a FREE WRITTEN ESTIMATE for review and approval.

Most of our design and photography projects are charged on a flat fee basis, but if you prefer we can bill you by the hour.

So if you want to talk about a creative project for your business or organization please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

Please provide as much detail as you can. Here are some guidelines:

WEB DESIGN: The type of site (HTML/CSS, Wordpress, Drupal, etc.), number of pages, functionality (shopping cart, contact form, slideshow, image gallery, etc.), and any other options and functionality you require.

GRAPHIC DESIGN: The type of project (logo, business card, brochure, etc.), the size and any applicable printing specs and quantity, and any other requirements you may have.

PHOTOGRAPHY: The type of photography (product, food, head shots, etc.), the number of people or pieces you need photographed, studio or location, and any specific styling or post-production requirements you might have.

Please contact us at your convenience if you need additional information regarding or help with your project estimate and a member of our team will be happy to help you.

We require a minimum deposit of $ 500.00 OR 50% of the total project cost, whichever is greater, to start work. Projects costing less than $ 500.00 must be pre-paid. The remaining balance can be paid in equal installments during the project or in full upon completion. Under certain circumstances we may work out a different payment plan with a client BEFORE we start on any project.

Any additional expenses incurred as part of a project, such as printing costs, domain purchases, or stock image purchases, need to be paid in advance.

We accept payment by cash, check, money order, or wire transfer. Under certain circumstances we also accept credit cards through PayPal only; please contact us for details.

Yes, we do whatever is needed to help our clients get their work done on time. However, please note that depending on our availability at the time we may charge a rush fee to accommodate your project on short notice.

Yes, you can see samples of our design and photography work in the Portfolio section of this website. We can also provide you with printed samples, paper samples, and finishing samples; just contact us and we will take care of it.

Depending on the nature of your project we will need some or all of the following from you:

1. Your images

If you want us to use your own images in your web or print project please submit them according to these guidelines:
PRINT Images - TIFF or JPEG files at 300 dpi resolution
WEB Images - JPEG or PNG files at 72 dpi resolution

If you do not have images of your own we can purchase stock images on your behalf or possibly suggest images from our own archives. We can also take images specifically for your project. Please note that additional fees will apply.

2. Your graphics and / or logos

Any graphics and logos you would like us to use ideally should be submitted as Illustrator native (.ai) or Illustrator EPS (.eps) files. Other acceptable file types can include Photoshop TIFF or PSD and Acrobat PDF files, but these files may NOT work for all intended uses.

Please make sure to convert all text to outlines or include all applicable fonts and links.

If you do not have a suitable logo or graphics / illustrations we can create them for you for an additional charge.

3. Your text and data

Text should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document. Please do NOT embedd images or graphics, but submit all required support files as listed above.

Data should be submitted as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets; please remember to remove all data that you do not want us to use.

4. Your fonts (if applicable)

If you would like us to use a particular font or fonts in your project please provide them as True Type (TTF) or Open Type (OTF) fonts. We can also purchase fonts on your behalf; additional fees may apply.

5. Your colors (if applicable)

If you want us to match a particular color or colors please provide us with their Pantone Matching System (PMS) numbers or actual color samples for us to match.

If you need to select suitable colors for your project you can download our FREE Pantone Color Chart in PDF format and tell us which colors to use for your project.

6. Your proofs and / or samples (if applicable)

If you want us to match an existing piece or design concept please submit either a printed proof or an Acrobat PDF file of the existing artwork.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above please contact us and we will gladly help you figure things out!

Small files (up to 10MB) can just be emailed to us. Generally we recommend you use a file utility like StuffIt (MAC) or WinZip (PC) to compress your files first.

Larger files can be mailed or delivered to our downtown Seattle studio on CD or DVD.

We also accept files via our own secure FTP server or via third-party services like Dropbox and YouSendIt. You may need FTP client software like FileZilla (MAC and PC).

Just contact us and we'll answer any questions or get you set up with your own password protected directory on our secure FTP server right away.

Depending on your project you will generally receive the following types of files:

LOGO DESIGN: hi-res EPS files; print TIFF files; web JPEG and PNG files

PRINT DESIGN: print-ready PDF files; optional online versions

WEB DESIGN: a copy of all files used in your final site

PHOTOGRAPHY: hi-res TIFF files for print use; lo-res JPEG or PNG files for web use

If possible we like to meet with new clients in person at least once; this gives both the client and our team a good feel for each other. After that we can handle projects via email, phone, Skype, and online review and editing cycles. We know it's hard to get your whole team in one place at one time to review your project. Therefore we offer a number of convenient options:

We use Acrobat.com to securely share documents for review and editing by a single person or an entire team spread across the world.

For webdesign projects we create beta sites that you can share with your team or associates for testing and user feedback before your final site goes live.

And for photography projects we can provide secure online proof galleries so you can review your images at your convenience.

Contact us to find out more.

Sure, no problem! Just provide us with a contact at your existing vendor and we will work out all the details with them directly.

Yes, we can have your print project put out to bid through one or more of our approved local or national printing partners.

After you approve the printing bid we can have your project proofed, printed, finished, packaged, and delivered to your office or shipped to your clients across town or across the world.

And we can even have your printed pieces addressed and mailed to your entire contact list. All you have to do is to give us the list and we will do the rest.

For design and post-production we use Mac G5 and iMac desktops and Macbook Pro laptops exclusively. In our photo studio we use professional Nikon DSLR cameras and both Bowen and Norman lighting systems as well as Epson photo printers.

We support the Adobe Creative Suite CS4 and CS5, Aperture, Final Cut Pro, and Microsoft Office:MAC 2008 and 2011.

We also support a variety of other imaging, photo and video post-production, and related software. Please contact us for details.