FAQ

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN MY HEIRLOOM PAPERCUT KETUBOT! 
Below are answers to the questions I get asked most frequently 
about the ordering process.

If your question isn't answered below, you're more than welcome to contact me
I LOVE THE LOOK OF PAPERCUTS, BUT ARE THEY TOO DELICATE? 
Not at all. Paper is delicate in nature but papercuts can be handled more than you think. Like any other paper art, as long as they are touched with clean respectful hands and not placed outside in windy & rainy weather, they'll last for generations!


WHERE CAN I BUY YOUR PAPERCUTS? 
I sell my papercuts via email and online. I offer a collection of papercut ketubot in MY ETSY SHOP as well as accept bespoke commissions. 


SO WHAT IS A KETUBAH?
A ketubah is a written marriage pledge. It is comprised out of two integral elements: The central and most important one is THE TEXT. The Second is THE DESIGN.

Traditionally, ketubot were made to be folded and kept safe in a vault, but I don't make that kind. Instead, I create beautiful artworks to be cherished & displayed. Which is why you're here as well! Together, we'll create a memory of your wedding for generations to come.


DO YOU ALSO MAKE PAPERCUTS OTHER THAN KETUBOT?
Of course! While ketubot are my bread and butter, I welcome any and all commissions. If you're interested in a papercut for a special occasion, for a gift, or to hang in your home,  I'd be thrilled to work with you - don't hesitate to drop me a line!


I'M NOT JEWISH. CAN I USE A KETUBAH IN MY WEDDING?
Yes! A 'ketubah' is simply Hebrew for a decorative marriage covenant - which is not exclusive to any religion! You can have one regardless if your celebration is religious or secular or of any specific faith. The ketubah is a keepsake of your wedding immortalizing your vows and the love you celebrated with your partner on the day. It will grace the walls of your family for generations.


ARE YOUR KETUBOT KOSHER?
Certainly! First, let me explain: a ketubah is considered kosher (i.e. valid by Jewish law) by its text. The design is completely up to you! A kosher text is one approved by a scholar of Jewish law and/or a community's religious leader (this is only relevant to religious texts, like the Orthodox and Conservative... not the secular texts).

My text templates are rabbi-approved. Of course I defer to the officiating rabbi to approve each couple's text, as there are different versions across the communities in the Diaspora. Your own officiant can tell you if the text you've chosen meets your community's standards. If not, he/she are welcome to provide theirs instead! In short, if your wedding's officiant approves the text, you're golden;)


I DON'T KNOW WHAT TEXT TO USE, CAN YOU HELP?
Yes! I offer text templates for Orthodox, Conservative, Egalitarian, Reform, Same Sex, Secular, Quaker, and Christian weddings. I also welcome texts penned by you.

READ MY POST ABOUT TEXTS where I explain further about the different texts and how you can choose the one best suited for your wedding!


CAN I CUSTOMIZE THE TEXT?
Certainly! Each ketubah includes the text of your choice personalized with your names, wedding date and location. My texts can be used as templates and edited as you wish, or you're welcome to provide your own. If your custom text requires translation to Hebrew, I provide that service for a $40 fee.

With both collection and bespoke ketubot, you get a preview file of the text as it will be printed following payment and within 48 hours of my receiving your text and font choices. I print only after you approve.

PLEASE BE AWARE clients are fully responsible for finding and reporting any errors before approving the text for printing. WOODLAND PAPERCUTS is not responsible for replacing approved texts.

Prospective clients are welcome to read and download the following files to help them personalize their perfect heirloom ketubah:


HOW LONG DOES A KETUBAH TAKE TO MAKE?
The standard processing time for collection ketubot in my shop is up to 10 days from purchase to dispatch. The turnaround for tailor-made bespoke designs is 1 month from booking to dispatch. (My first available start date can be found in the homepage. I am often booked 1 month to 2 months in advance during the wedding season.)


WHEN SHOULD I ORDER MY KETUBAH?
The ketubah is one of the most important aspects of your wedding and will be a keepsake that will grace your home for generations - so it should not be left for the last to-do list if you can help it.
I always recommend that you order your ketubah as soon as you are ready (even a year in advance works!) and at the latest 3 months ahead of your wedding.
Of course I have quick-order ketubot in my shop and can accommodate orders with only weeks to spare if needed.


DO YOU ACCEPT RUSH ORDERS?
Yes. Please contact me first to see if I can accommodate you. Depending on the deadline and design, rush fees start as low as $75 and reach as high as $200.


I LOVE A DESIGN FROM YOUR SHOP, BUT CAN YOU MAKE CHANGES TO IT?
Yes! The beauty of my little atelier is that I can personalize papercuts for my clients. Say you love the Tree of Life ketubah but want to add your initials, or want the Pomegranate Garden in  a different size and shape... All changes to an existing design - from a custom monogram to adding in your pets - are possible for a fee starting at $25 up to $175, just ask!


DO YOU MAKE CUSTOM DESIGNS?
Yes! It'd be my honor to design a unique papercut that will encapsulate your love & memories! Want a design that represents where you and your beloved first met? How about one that incorporates your wedding flowers? No problem! Contact me and we'll discuss your vision for your keepsake papercut. While I won't be able to replicate what's in your mind's eye, I will aim to surpass it.


CAN I GET A PRICE LIST?
Most of the papercuts in my shop are 11X17" big and range in price from $300-500. Other sizes are $625-800.

Custom design papercuts start at $800 and reach up to $2000, depending on size and design. Popular sizes are 13X19", 16X16", 18X18", and 16X22". Payment is split into two: Design and Production.
This is the price list for the popular sizes, up to and including as many as 2 papercut layers:
  • Custom designed 13X19" = $800 (includes $400 design fee)
  • Custom designed 16X16"/ 18X18" = $1,200 (includes $600 design fee)
  • Custom designed 16X24" = $1,600 (includes $800 design fee)
If you're interested you'd like a price quote for a different size or shape, please contact me!

PLEASE NOTE | As of July 2019 all orders include express courier shipping fees. 


WHAT IS YOUR PAYMENT POLICY FOR CUSTOM DESIGNS?
While a papercut order from my shop will be paid for in full before work begins, for a custom order I split the payment into two transactions: first the DESIGN fee to book your date and begin processing your custom order; followed by the PRODUCTION of your custom papercut once you approve the preview.


WHAT ARE YOUR SHIPPING OPTIONS?
I mail worldwide using an Express Courier to-door service, which takes 3-5 business days.

PLEASE BE AWARE Buyer is responsible for customs duties and delays in their country. Please check with Customs in your country as duty charges may apply based on the total of your order, or the commodity type. Any duty charge (if applicable) is to be paid by you and is not included in the purchase price or shipping costs collected by WOODLAND PAPERCUTS.


HOW WILL MY PAPERCUT BE SENT?
All papercuts regardless of size are mailed flat. I carefully wrap your handmade order in tissue paper before placing it in Woodland Papercuts' signature wood packaging, making sure it is secured at the center away from the edges to avoid any and all damages.Your order is then placed in a moisture-resistant bag. Finally, the bundle is wrapped tightly for its journey across the seas. The packaging is lightweight and extremely durable.


CAN YOU SEND MY PAPERCUT ORDER FRAMED?
Unfortunately I can't mail framed papercuts because of fragile mail restrictions. The papercuts are made in easy-to-frame sizes, but I always recommend you choose a reputable custom frame shop over a stock pre-made frame for its forever home.

My personal preference is a white wood frame and acid-free photo mat border to keep the papercut away from the glass. This simple frame option allows your papercut to shine, as it should.

WOODLAND PAPERCUTS can recommend two online custom framing services: Simply Framedand Framebridge, both of which are available in the US. Clients can choose from a selection of frame options and mail-in their papercut to be framed by a professional shop. Given the fact that they enclose the ketubah in glass and acid-free backing, it should only be sent for framing after it is signed at your wedding.
Simply Framed now also offers a frame only service, where they'll happily send you your custom frame for you to place your papercut inside. This allows you to have a forever home for your ketubah ready on your wedding day!

* = Simply Framed offers %15 discount for Woodland Papercuts clients. Please contact Woodland Papercuts to receive your personal referral link!


HOW CAN I DISPLAY MY KETUBAH AT THE WEDDING?
Using WOODLAND PAPERCUTS' signature packaging, of course! (See details above.) The sturdy flat packaging makes it easy to transport your ketubah to the wedding venue, and bonus! the wood boards can be used for presentation at the signing ceremony! For the chuppah and reception I advise that you get a simple ready-made frame in order to protect your heirloom ketubah from curious hands. Couples have also left the ketubah on its WOODLAND PAPERCUTS wood board and draped an acetate over it (which can be found in many art supply and crafts stores).


WHAT PEN DO I USE TO SIGN MY KETUBAH?
The simple answer is to use your favorite pen (I had written a short post on the subject). The papers I use are ideal for all pen and ink types. As long as you're comfortable with your writing instrument, your signature will come out perfect. I include a blank card of your paper type with every order so you can test your pen collection on it. Take it with you to the stationery shop and test the pens there, you might find a new favorite! And while inks are engineered to last now and no longer oxidize and fade like you see in old documents, if you're worried, look for the 'archival ink' tag on the pen.


CAN I CANCEL / EXCHANGE / RETURN MY ORDER?
Due to the bespoke nature of my papercuts, they cannot be exchanged or returned once produced.
Once your order leaves the studio, payment cannot be refunded / credited. However, you are welcome to cancel your papercut order within 24 hours of payment for a full refund.
Should you wait longer the refund amount will be to my discretion according to how far along your order is in the production queue.
For orders cancelled after order was completed but before shipment, only the shipping fees will be refunded.
Rush and Design fees are non-refundable.

If there is any issue with your order, please contact me and I'll offer a solution within the studio's policy guidelines.

WOODLAND PAPERCUTS BY NAOMI SHIEK keeps the rights to copy, reproduce, display, distribute, or create a derivative work from any design produced by the studio. Copyright is not transferable with sale. The buyer is not entitled to reproduction rights.