TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 
TERMS + CONDITIONS
When selecting the Risograph medium for your project, it is crucial to recognize and accept its unique and inherent imperfections (afterall, that’s the charming part). Moniker Press values each and every project entrusted to us, and is passionate about ensuring a positive and satisfying printing experience for all. When commissioning printed material from the Moniker Press print-for-hire studio, your acceptance of the estimate and approval of the digital proofs indicates your full acknowledgment and agreement to the following Terms and Conditions: (Please read thoroughly.)

SUMMARY

○ Acceptance of the estimate and approval of digital proofs indicate agreement to the Terms and Conditions.

○ Estimates are valid for up to 30 days and may be adjusted based on final project specifications.

○ Risograph printing is unpredictable and will have some imperfections. By agreeing to the T&C outlined you confirm that you accept this.

○ Digital proofs do not accurately represent exact colours, textures, or variations. Digital proofs must be reviewed and approved by you before production begins. Moniker Press is not responsible for errors or issues within the files submitted.

○ Moniker Press is not responsible for variations in paper/materials or delays in supply availability.

○ Full payment is required before pickup or shipping. Payment can be made through e-transfer, cash, or cheque. A 50% deposit may be required for orders exceeding $250. Moniker Press applies BC tax to all invoices.

○ Moniker Press does not offer refunds for completed work but will address errors beyond reasonable expectations.

○ Moniker Press reserves the right to decline projects with content that goes against our values.

○ Moniker Press archives, documents and shares projects, unless requested otherwise by the client.

ESTIMATES

Estimates are valid for up to 30 days from the date of issue. Please note that estimates provided are subject to potential changes or adjustments based on the final project specifications. For example, if there are modifications to the paper selection or design or file set-up required, or any additional services or material costs beyond the initial project specifications, the invoice will be adjusted accordingly.

PRINTER WARNINGS + IMPERFECTIONS

By accepting the Terms & Conditions, you acknowledge and agree that Risograph printing is an unpredictable and imperfect process. Results will vary as each machine and ink drum have their own unique characteristics. While the warnings about potential imperfections may seem overwhelming when listed together, please be assured that Moniker Press takes great care in all the work we produce and we sincerely hope that you will love your riso results as much as we do!

Imperfections that may occur include, but not limited to: misalignment between layers or prints, variations in color and texture, uneven ink coverage, variations in ink density, roller marks (which can be erased with an eraser), pickup needle marks, dust marks, stencil wrinkles, smudging, paper irregularities, specks, dust, finger prints, registration variation with trimmed prints and shifting etc with different binding methods. Refer to the pictures below for examples of these imperfections, or explore our Print Log for images of previous projects. Additionally, our Print Guide provides information on how Risograph works with some images of the various potential imperfections. If you would like to see examples in person, you can also book a studio visit.

Please note that Moniker Press does not offer refunds for completed work. However, if you are dissatisfied with your final prints or if there are errors beyond what is reasonably expected from the Riso medium or outlined in the Terms and Conditions, please let us know. In such a scenario, we will discuss and review your concerns, aiming to find a mutually satisfactory solution to the problem. Re-prints will only be considered on a case-by-case basis, with the exception of books and zines due to the extensive production hours required for them.

DIGITAL PROOFS

At Moniker Press physical proofs are not provided for print orders. However, all print orders will receive a digital proof that must be thoroughly reviewed and approved before we begin the production  process. The approved digital proof serves as our reference for printing.

Whenever possible, MP offers basic feedback regarding any production considerations but cannot always predict exact results. It is your responsibility to carefully review the digital proof. After reviewing the proof, any adjustments can be made to the files if necessary. If further proofs and subsequent adjustments are required, a small fee may be applied to your order to cover the time and costs associated with creating multiple proofs.

Please keep in mind that digital proofs cannot accurately replicate the exact colors, textures, or variations created by the Riso printing process. MP is unable to guarantee an exact color match, precise tone or shade accuracy, overlapping ink results, or consistent line quality through digital proofs.

PAPER + SUPPLIES

At Moniker Press, we keep a limited stock of paper in our studio, and most paper is ordered specifically for each project. The cost of paper is estimated based on the current pricing from the supplier, and we invoice based on the final price charged by the supplier. It’s important to note that the price of paper can fluctuate or increase, which means it may be subject to change in the final invoice.

Due to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the supply chain, the paper and some supply industries have been experiencing delays and disruptions. This means that certain papers or binding supplies etc may be unavailable or have variations compared to previous batches. While we strive to stay informed and up-to-date on these situations, it’s not always possible to predict or control them. However, we will do our best to keep you informed and work with you to find suitable alternatives if needed.

FILES
If you haven’t hired Moniker Press for design or color separation services, it is your responsibility to prepare print-ready files. To achieve the best results, please visit the Print Guide and refer to Checklist or File Setup pages.

Please note that MP does not review written content and cannot be held responsible for any typos, file errors, InDesign effect errors, flattener or transparency errors, low-resolution images, bitmapped text, pixelation or any other unexpected issues within the files you submit. If an error is discovered after production begins or after final proofs are approved, we may be able to make corrections for a fee to cover the delay in the production process.

If your project requires any special production features, such as a specific halftone dot size, please make sure to specify this when communicating about your order.

Design / Colour Separation: For design and color separation services provided by Moniker Press, we strive to deliver the highest quality results. However, depending on the format of the original work, there may be limitations on how the color separation can be achieved, which could lead to unpredictable outcomes such as pixelation, less density, or differing color balance.

Page Imposition: For book and zine projects, digital proofs will be set up in printer order. It is your responsibility to thoroughly review the proof and ensure that all pages are included and that the page order in the proof is correct, as per your intended design.

TURNAROUND TIMES
Moniker Press strives to meet your deadlines and provide reasonable turnaround times. However, please keep in mind that MP is a solo-run operation, which may impact the speed of production. Estimated timelines can vary depending on the time of year and MP’s current schedule.

Depending on the specifications of your project, some rush orders may be possible with an additional fee. This fee is calculated to reflect the urgency of the order and accommodate the expedited processing. The production times and completion dates are estimated from the final approval of the digital proof, which is created from your print-ready files. The creation of the digital proof typically takes 1-3 business days, depending on the complexity of the order.

For a more detailed breakdown of timing and deadlines, please refer to the estimates page.

Moniker Press cannot take responsibility for unpredictable circumstances that may hinder or delay the predicted timelines or deadlines. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, machine malfunctions, pandemics, floods, fires, supply shortages, postal strikes, bereavement, illness or injury, and other unforeseen events that are beyond our control.

PAYMENT

Please note the following regarding refunds and returns on print orders: MP does not offer refunds or accept returns on print orders once they have been completed. By accepting the estimate and agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, you acknowledge and agree to pay Moniker Press in full for all services rendered.

Payment in full is required upon pickup or before shipping the printed material. Payments can be made through e-transfer (auto deposit to erica@monikerpress.ca), cash, or cheque. If PayPal is the only viable payment, any fees incurred will be the responsibility of the client. MP is currently unable to accept Visa or card payments for print orders.

For orders exceeding $250, a 50% deposit (or total material costs) may be required in advance before the printing process begins. The remaining invoice amount must be paid upon pickup of the final product, or within 15 days of receiving the final invoice if discussed beforehand. For institutions that are issuing cheques, the payment deadline is extended to 30 days.

For large orders, MP may be able to accommodate split payments for repeat clients, provided that specific payment dates are determined and agreed upon in advance.

Tax: Moniker Press applies BC tax to all invoices, including PST (Provincial Sales Tax) at a rate of 7% and GST (Goods and Services Tax) at a rate of 5%.

PICKUP

When your order is complete, you will be notified via email to book a pickup slot through this calendar. Please note that pickups are by appointment only since MP does not have set open hours. The schedule is only updated on a weekly basis. If the time you require is not available, please inquire about alternative options. Please do not book a pickup slot until we have confirmed your order is ready.

MP can provide information on the packed weight and size of your order before pickup, so you can plan accordingly for transportation. Some projects may require additional assistance or a cart for lifting. If you have any other questions regarding Access or pickup, please don’t hesitate to inquire.

Directions to our studio can be found on the Calendy booking page, as well as a video walk through of how to navigate the Sun Wah building here.

Delivery: in some cases we may be able to arrange local delivery for an extra fee, as long as the order can safely be carried on a motorbike or bicycle ;)

SHIPPING

Moniker Press utilizes Canada Post for local, national and some international shipments and Chit Chats for USA shipments. In an effort to prioritize sustainability, recycled or reused materials will be utilized for packaging. We will take great care in packaging your order to ensure it arrives free from any damage.

The cost of shipping depends on the weight and size of your final order, which can only be determined once the order is complete. To get an estimate of the shipping cost, you can use the shipping estimate calculator available on the Canada Post website. Please keep in mind that shipping estimates are subject to change based on actual charges and any applicable processing fees.

For shipping to the USA, Chit Chats utilizes US Media Mail and typically offers competitive rates for both domestic and some international shipments.

Please note that MP is not responsible for any delays in shipping times, lost packages, damage to packages, or any other circumstances caused by the postal service provider.

CONTENT

Moniker Press is a print shop that welcomes commissions from the public and strives to maintain an open and non-judgmental approach to client projects. However, it is important to note that our acceptance of a project does not necessarily imply personal endorsement.

To uphold our values, Moniker Press will not agree to reproduce content that is racist, homophobic, anti-Black, anti-Trans, anti-mask, harmful, or infringing on copyright. We reserve the right to decline projects that we feel are not aligned with these principles. By agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, you confirm that your project does not fall into these categories.

Sensitive subject matter: Moniker Press is willing and able to handle content with more sensitive or “trigger warning” subject matter, such as mental health, suicide, trauma, etc., as long as the perspectives presented do not align with the aforementioned list. We kindly request that you provide additional information about the content before submitting your files, so that we can prepare and thus handle it with the utmost care and discretion.

ARCHIVE + DOCUMENTATION

Moniker Press is passionate about documenting and sharing the progress and projects we are involved in. We love to provide insights into our creative process and keep our community updated. By doing so, we aim to provide transparency, inspiration, and an opportunity for others to appreciate and learn from our past work. Explore our Print Log which showcases an archive of our previous client work.

Please be aware that MP reserves the right to document your project and the production process, unless you specifically request otherwise. This documentation may be shared online through MP’s social media channels (credited/tagged) and website. Additionally, 1-3 physical copies, known as printer’s proofs, may be kept in our archive for educational purposes and displayed in the studio. These copies are separate from your order’s edition number.

If you have any preferences regarding the appearance of your project on social media, such as not wanting it to be shared before a certain date or not wanting it to be made public at all, please inform us accordingly.

Crediting Moniker Press: this is optional, if you want to include Moniker Press in your colophon as the printer please feel free. Either “Printed by Moniker Press” or “Risograph printed by Moniker Press” works for us. If including the website: monikerpress.ca and tag: @monikerpress. Thank you!

EVENT, VOLUNTEER AND WORKSHOP LIABILITY
We’ve never had any issues in the studio and generally visiting Moniker Press is very low risk but as a formality we have the, event studio visit, workshop and volunteer liability information below, by visiting the studio for the aforementioned you agree to the following:

Assumption of Risk: I understand that participating in events, studio visits, workshops or volunteering at Moniker Press may involve certain risks, including, but not limited to, physical exertion, exposure to printing equipment, materials, and tools, and the potential for accidents or injuries.

Participant Responsibilities: I agree to follow all safety guidelines and instructions provided by Moniker Press.

Release of Liability: I hereby release Moniker Press, its owner, and volunteers from any liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or related to any loss, damage, injury, or illness that may occur during my participation and visit to the studio for events, studio visits, workshops or volunteering.

Indemnification: I agree to indemnify and hold Moniker Press, its owner, and volunteers harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses, including attorney’s fees, arising from participation in events, studio visits, workshops or volunteering.

Confidentiality: I will maintain the confidentiality of any proprietary information I may come across.

Photographic Release: I grant Moniker Press permission to use photos or videos taken of me for promotional purposes.

By participating in the studio visit, workshop or volunteering, I acknowledge that I have read and understood this Liability Agreement and agree to its terms and conditions.