Policies & Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about quotes, proofs, production, installation, pickup, shipping, and custom orders from Southern Maryland Decals.

PROJECT & ORDER POLICIES

Quotes, Pricing & Deposits

Most boat, business, vehicle, trailer, and detailed custom projects begin with a quote. Pricing is based on the project’s size, quantity, design requirements, materials, production, installation, travel, shipping, and other requested services.

Deposits may be securely invoiced and can become nonrefundable once custom design, material ordering or production begins. Project-specific invoice terms control when they differ.

Design Proofs & Approval

Production begins only after the customer approves the final proof. Approval confirms the layout, wording, spelling, colors and general placement shown in the proof. Changes requested after approval may require additional design time, material, production charges, or a revised quote.

Cancellations, Returns & Refunds

Custom graphics, lettering, decals, and transfers are made specifically for each customer and generally cannot be returned or refunded after final approval or after production begins.

Design work, ordered materials, and other project costs already completed or incurred may be deducted from a deposit if a project is cancelled.

If Southern Maryland Decals makes a production error, we will work with the customer to correct it. Errors in customer-provided or customer-approved wording, measurements, colors, quantities, or layouts are not considered production errors.

Materials, Surfaces & Installation

ORACAL 751 cast vinyl is the standard for eligible exterior lettering projects. ORACAL 751RA may be offered as an optional upgrade when repositionable installation features are helpful. Material selection depends on the surface and project.

Standard surface preparation is included with professional installation. Detailed cleaning, adhesive removal, removal of old lettering or additional preparation may require an added fee.

Installation is available by appointment. Mobile installation may include an additional fee based on travel distance, workload, access and project conditions.

Our adhesive vinyl is intended for clean, smooth, hard, compatible surfaces. Damaged, oxidized, textured, contaminated, peeling, chalky, heavily curved, or improperly painted surfaces may prevent proper adhesion or shorten the life of the graphics.

Newly painted or repainted surfaces must be fully cured according to the paint manufacturer’s instructions before vinyl is applied.

Customers choosing DIY installation accept responsibility for installation. If customer installation fails, replacement material and production time remain chargeable. When SOMDecals performs the approved installation, installation errors caused by SOMDecals will be corrected by SOMDecals.

Turnaround Times, Rush Projects & Deadlines

Turnaround estimates begin after we receive the required project details, approval, payment or deposit, and any usable artwork or measurements.

Simple custom projects may be completed within approximately 1–2 business days. More detailed custom work may require approximately 2–5 business days. Boat, business, vehicle, and trailer projects often require approximately 3–7 business days or longer depending on the scope.

These are estimates rather than guarantees. Material availability, weather, design revisions, installation scheduling, surface preparation, and customer delays may affect completion.

Rush service may be available for an additional fee. The fee depends on the requested deadline, project scope and current workload. Customers should provide any firm deadline before approving the quote.

Pickup, Meet-Up, Delivery & Shipping

Prearranged pickup is available in Lusby, Maryland. Local meet-up or limited delivery may be available when specifically arranged.

Shipping is available for appropriate projects. Large graphics, installation projects, unusual materials, or other specialized orders may require pickup, meet-up, or professional installation instead of shipping.

Southern Maryland Decals does not currently operate as a walk-in retail storefront. Please arrange pickup, delivery, or installation in advance.

Customer Artwork & Intellectual Property

Customers are responsible for confirming that they have permission to use any logos, photographs, characters, trademarks, artwork, fonts, or other materials they provide.

Southern Maryland Decals may refuse projects that appear to violate another person’s or company’s intellectual-property rights.

Low-resolution, incomplete, or unsuitable artwork may require cleanup, recreation, or preparation before production. Any additional artwork or design charges will be discussed before that work begins.

Photography

SOMDecals may photograph completed work for portfolio and marketing use. Customers who do not want their project used publicly should notify us before completion or email makeitreal@somdecals.com.

Outsourced Production

When a project requires products not produced in-house, SOMDecals may coordinate with reputable commercial production partners. Partner pricing, production requirements and timelines are quoted separately.

Marketing & Platform Results

SOMDecals does not guarantee specific sales, search rankings, competitor placement, platform performance or results controlled by third parties.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What information do you need to prepare a quote?

Tell us what you want made, where it will be applied, the approximate size, quantity, preferred colors, desired completion date, and anything else you already know. Photos and existing artwork are also helpful.

Do I need exact measurements before contacting you?

No. Approximate measurements are enough to begin. We can explain what needs to be measured before the final layout and pricing are approved.

How do I send photos or artwork?

Submit the quote form first, then email your photos or artwork to makeitreal@somdecals.com. Use the same name and email address from the form so we can match everything to your request.

Can you help if I do not have a finished design?

Yes. We can help with layout, lettering, simple design preparation, and cleaning up usable artwork. Detailed logo creation, artwork recreation, or extensive design work may require an additional design charge.

Can you work with my existing logo?

Usually. Vector artwork is preferred, but we can review other file types. Low-quality screenshots, photographs, or small files may need to be recreated or cleaned up before they can be produced properly.

Do you install vinyl graphics?

Yes, professional local installation may be available depending on the project, location, surface, weather, and schedule. Many smaller projects can also be professionally prepared with application tape for clean DIY installation.

What type of vinyl do you use?

We select the material according to the surface, exposure, expected lifespan, and project requirements. Many outdoor lettering projects are produced with professional-grade cast vinyl, including ORACAL 751C when appropriate.

Can you guarantee an exact color match?

We will help select the closest appropriate available vinyl color. Colors displayed on phones, monitors, photographs, and printed samples may appear different from the actual material, so exact digital color matching cannot always be guaranteed.

Do you offer rush service?

Rush service may be available for an additional charge when our schedule and material availability allow. Let us know about any deadline before approving the project.

What happens if I make a mistake during DIY installation?

What areas do you serve?

Southern Maryland Decals is based in Lusby and serves customers throughout Calvert County, Solomons, St. Mary’s County, Charles County, and the surrounding Southern Maryland area. Shipping may be available for suitable projects.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Send us what you know about your project. We’ll review the details, ask any necessary questions, and help you determine the next step.

These policies may be updated as our services and processes change. The terms included in an approved quote, invoice, or project agreement take priority for that specific project.