Merchant Policies

At Hicks Graphics Co., much of what we create is custom-made for each customer. The following policies provide general information about ordering, payment, production times, pickup, delivery, and shipping. Additional terms may apply to individual projects and will be communicated through your quote, proof, or invoice.

Payment Options

Hicks Graphics Co. currently accepts:

• Venmo

• Cash App

• PayPal

• Cash

• Personal or business checks

Checks must clear before materials are purchased or production begins.

Custom projects may require a deposit before materials are ordered, artwork is finalized, or production begins. Any remaining balance is due according to the terms provided with your quote or invoice.

We do not currently accept credit or debit card payments directly.

Production & Processing Times

Because our products range from simple vinyl graphics to completely custom signs, production times vary considerably by project.

Vinyl graphics and other products produced primarily in-house generally have shorter turnaround times, depending on our current workload, material availability, and the complexity of the project.

Custom metal signs and vehicle tags typically require approximately 4–6 weeks for production.

Some custom products require specialized services from trusted outside vendors, including laser cutting, routing, and powder coating. Production times are therefore estimates and may be affected by vendor schedules, material availability, shipping, weather, or other circumstances outside our direct control.

We make every reasonable effort to complete projects within the estimated timeframe and will communicate significant delays whenever possible.

Local Pickup & Delivery

Local pickup is available by arrangement.

Local delivery may also be available depending on the size and type of project, delivery location, and whether installation is required. Any applicable delivery or installation charges will be discussed and included in the customer's quote.

Local delivery should not be assumed to be free unless specifically stated in your quote or order.

Shipping

Many smaller Hicks Graphics Co. products can be shipped through USPS or UPS.

Shipping costs may be included in the advertised or quoted price of certain products or charged separately depending on the product, destination, package size, weight, and shipping requirements.

If a product is advertised as including free shipping, the cost of standard shipping has been incorporated into the price of that product.

Oversized, unusually heavy, fragile, or specialty items may require additional shipping arrangements and charges.

Custom & Handmade Products

Many Hicks Graphics Co. products are individually made, finished, assembled, painted, powder coated, printed, or otherwise produced specifically for the customer.

Because of the nature of custom materials and finishing processes, minor variations from one piece to another are normal. Metal surfaces, paint, powder coating, wood, printed materials, and other substrates may contain slight variations or minor imperfections.

We make every reasonable effort to minimize these variations and will not knowingly deliver work with defects that materially affect its appearance, function, or intended use. Minor characteristics inherent to handmade or custom-produced products are not necessarily considered defects.

Custom Orders & Approval

Customers are responsible for carefully reviewing and approving proofs, artwork, spelling, dimensions, colors, quantities, and other project details before production when an approval is requested.

Once a custom project has entered production or materials have been specially ordered, changes or cancellations may result in additional charges and may not always be possible.

Additional Policies

More detailed information regarding custom orders, deposits, cancellations, handmade-product variations, customer-supplied artwork, refunds, privacy, and other matters can be found in our:

Terms & Conditions • Refund Policy • Privacy Policy

TERMS & CONDITIONS

These Terms & Conditions apply to products and services provided by Hicks Graphics Co. Because much of our work is custom-designed and made specifically for each customer, we want expectations to be clear before design or production begins.

CUSTOM ORDERS & ARTWORK APPROVAL

Customers are responsible for reviewing and approving all artwork, layouts, wording, spelling, dimensions, colors, quantities, and other project details before production begins.

Approval of a proof or design authorizes Hicks Graphics Co. to proceed with production. Changes requested after approval or after production has begun may result in additional charges and may affect the completion date.

While we make every reasonable effort to catch errors before production, the customer is ultimately responsible for errors contained in artwork or information that has been reviewed and approved.

DESIGN PROOFS, MOCKUPS & REVISIONS

Proofs and mockups are provided to help customers visualize the proposed design and are not intended to be exact photographic representations of the finished physical product. Actual materials, finishes, colors, textures, dimensions, lighting, mounting methods, surroundings, and other physical characteristics may differ somewhat from a digital proof or mockup.

Reasonable revisions may be included as part of the design process when appropriate. Projects requiring extensive revisions, repeated redesigns, recreation of artwork, or substantial additional design time may require additional design charges. We will make reasonable efforts to discuss significant additional charges with the customer before proceeding.

Design work, concepts, proofs, and production artwork created by Hicks Graphics Co. remain the property of Hicks Graphics Co. unless ownership or release of the artwork has been specifically included in the project or otherwise agreed to in writing.

CONTENT & DESIGN STANDARDS

Hicks Graphics Co. welcomes our customers' ideas and works with them to create custom designs that fit their needs. However, we do not include profanity in our designs and reserve the right to decline projects, designs, wording, imagery, or other content that conflicts with our faith, values, or the standards of our business.

Acceptance of one project or type of content does not obligate Hicks Graphics Co. to accept other projects or content.

CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED ARTWORK

Customers who provide logos, photographs, artwork, trademarks, copyrighted material, or other designs represent that they have the right or permission to reproduce and use those materials.

Hicks Graphics Co. is not responsible for copyright, trademark, licensing, or other ownership disputes resulting from materials supplied or specifically requested by the customer.

Additional design or artwork preparation charges may apply when customer-supplied files require significant cleanup, recreation, conversion, or modification before they can be produced.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENT

Custom projects may require a deposit before materials are ordered, design work is finalized, or production begins. Unless otherwise agreed, a deposit of approximately 50% may be required for custom work.

The remaining balance is generally due upon completion and before pickup, delivery, or installation unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

Special-order materials, outsourced services, design work, and other costs already incurred may be non-refundable if a project is canceled after work has begun.

CANCELLATIONS, RETURNS & CUSTOM PRODUCTS

Cancellation requests should be made within 24 hours of placing an order whenever possible. Because work on custom projects may begin quickly, cancellation within 24 hours does not guarantee a full refund if design work has already been performed, materials ordered, or production begun.

Because many Hicks Graphics Co. products are personalized, custom-designed, or made specifically for an individual customer, completed custom products generally cannot be returned or exchanged simply because the customer changes their mind.

If a project is canceled after materials have been ordered or production has begun, the customer may be responsible for materials, design time, production already completed, outsourced services, and other costs incurred for the project.

If we make an error or there is a legitimate problem with our workmanship, please contact us promptly and give us an opportunity to inspect and address the issue.

HANDMADE PRODUCTS & NATURAL VARIATIONS

Many Hicks Graphics Co. products are individually made, finished, assembled, or prepared by hand. This is especially true of our custom cut-metal signs, decorative metal products, painted pieces, powder-coated products, routed signs, and other specialty items.

Raw materials and hand-finishing processes naturally vary. As a result, one finished piece may not be absolutely identical to another. Minor variations may include differences in surface texture, grain or material characteristics, edges, paint coverage, powder-coat texture or coverage, color, sheen, or other small cosmetic characteristics.

Raw steel may contain normal variations, scratches, mill marks, discoloration, or other characteristics of the material, particularly when ordered with an unfinished raw-metal finish.

Laser-cut and otherwise cut metal products may contain edges, corners, or decorative points that can be sharp. Customers should use appropriate care when handling and installing these products.

We make every reasonable effort to select suitable materials, properly prepare each product, and minimize imperfections. We will not knowingly deliver work that we consider unacceptable. However, minor variations that do not materially affect the appearance, function, durability, or intended use of an item are a normal characteristic of individually produced and custom-made products and are not considered defects.

These subtle differences are part of what makes a custom-made product unique rather than a mass-produced factory item.

COLORS, MATERIALS & DIGITAL PROOFS

Digital proofs, photographs, mockups, and computer displays are intended to provide a reasonable representation of the finished product. Colors viewed on a monitor or mobile device may differ from actual printed vinyl, paint, powder coat, metal, wood, HDU, or other physical materials.

Exact color matching cannot always be guaranteed unless a specific color-matching process has been agreed upon in advance.

Material availability may occasionally require reasonable substitutions. Any significant substitution that would noticeably affect the appearance or function of the finished product will be discussed with the customer whenever practical.

TURNAROUND & COMPLETION DATES

We work hard to complete projects within the timeframe discussed with the customer. Unless specifically guaranteed in writing, completion dates are estimates rather than guarantees.

Production may occasionally be affected by material availability, equipment issues, weather, shipping delays, outsourced cutting, routing, powder coating or other services, changes requested by the customer, or circumstances outside our reasonable control.

We will communicate significant delays whenever possible.

INSTALLATION

Installation pricing is based on the information and site conditions reasonably known when the project is quoted.

Unexpected conditions—including unsuitable mounting surfaces, concealed obstacles, structural issues, inaccessible installation areas, inaccurate measurements or information supplied by others, or other unforeseen conditions—may require changes to the installation method or additional charges.

Customers are responsible for identifying known underground utilities, hidden electrical or plumbing components, property restrictions, landlord requirements, or other conditions that may affect installation unless those services are specifically included in the project.

OUTDOOR PRODUCTS & NORMAL WEAR

Products installed or used outdoors are exposed to sunlight, heat, cold, rain, moisture, dirt, chemicals, wind, and other environmental conditions.

Vinyl, printed graphics, paints, powder coatings, metals, substrates, and other materials may naturally fade, weather, oxidize, discolor, or show wear over time. The rate at which this occurs depends on the material, location, exposure, maintenance, and environmental conditions.

Normal weathering, aging, abuse, improper cleaning, accidental damage, or damage caused by conditions outside our control is not considered a workmanship defect.

CUSTOMER-PROVIDED ITEMS

When a customer asks Hicks Graphics Co. to apply graphics, engraving, etching, paint, coatings, or other customization to an item supplied by the customer, we will handle the item with reasonable care.

However, some materials and products may react unpredictably during customization. Unless damage results directly from negligence on our part, Hicks Graphics Co. cannot guarantee replacement of customer-supplied items that are inherently unsuitable for the requested process or that fail unexpectedly during customization.

Whenever we recognize a significant risk beforehand, we will make reasonable efforts to discuss it with the customer before proceeding.

PROBLEMS WITH AN ORDER

We want our customers to be pleased with the work they receive. If you believe there is an error, defect, damage, or workmanship issue with your order, please contact Hicks Graphics Co. as soon as reasonably possible after receiving the product or installation.

Please provide photographs and a description of the issue when appropriate. We ask that customers allow us a reasonable opportunity to inspect the problem and determine an appropriate solution.

Depending on the circumstances, an appropriate solution may include repair, correction, replacement, reproduction, or another mutually reasonable resolution.

AGREEMENT

Placing an order, approving artwork, paying a deposit, or authorizing Hicks Graphics Co. to begin design or production constitutes acceptance of the terms applicable to that project.

Questions about a project or these terms are always welcome. We would rather discuss expectations before production than have a misunderstanding afterward.