Prices

Currencies

We offer purchases in US dollars. We'll be adding more currencies as we go.

Sales tax

Your country, state, and/or provincial sales tax, duties, or import fees apply.

Shipping fees

Shipping fees vary from country to country and delivery options. No worries, though: we display delivery options and prices during checkout BEFORE you pay. Generally, single books can ship for as low as $5.

Making an order

1. Click "Buy" in the top-right corner of your Storybird page. From there,
2. Choose what type of format you'd like: download, softcover, hardcover, or premium hardcover. Then,
3. Confirm the author name(s) and add a note, if you'd like. Next,
4. Verify the page layout. Finally,
5. Add the Storybird to your cart and proceed through checkout.

Canceling an order

You can cancel:

• a print order that is "In production"
• a print order from a Class Fundraiser if it's before the Fundraiser close date (see your flyer)

You can't cancel:

• a print order that's "In transit" or "Completed"
• a print order from a Class Fundraiser if it's past the Fundraiser close date (see your flyer)
• a digital download

To check if your order can be cancelled:

1. Click on your username in the top-right corner.
2. In your account panel, click on "Orders."
3. Choose the order in question from the "Recent Orders" list.
4. Below your ordered items and beside the total, you'll see a status badge. If you see a big "Cancel Order" button beside it, the order can be cancelled. Click that button, confirm cancellation, and you're done.
5. If the status badge says "In transit" or "Completed" your order has been shipped and can't be cancelled.

Note: there's a small time lag between an order being printed and shipped that isn't reflected in your Order detail page. In some rare cases it's possible you may see "In Production" when, in fact, your order has shipped and is "In transit" or "Completed." However, you'll be notified of this when you click the "Cancel Order" button.

Adding to an order

If your order has been shipped and is "In transit" (see above), you can't add anything else. But, if your order is "In production" (see above), you can cancel that order and make an entirely new order that includes all the items you wanted.

Combining orders

Unfortunately, we can't combine two separate orders. However, if you'd like to add something new to one of those orders, see above.

Adding a gift note

You can't add a separate note to your Storybird (we're working on that). However, you can include a note inside your Storybird (meaning, on one of the opening pages). Read Making an order above for details.

Gift wrapping

We don't currently offer gift wrapping. That said, Storybirds don't need gift wrapping. They're very pretty. Trust us. Very pretty.

International orders

We currently accept orders from the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. We'll be adding lots more as we go.

Order confirmation email

A confirmation email is sent to you after your order is processed; it contains your order number, an itemized list of what you bought, and a summary of shipping details.

Didn't get the email? No problem. All of these details are also in your Account profile under Orders.

If you haven't received the email confirmation within an hour after placing your order and you want to be confident everything was processed correctly, visit your Orders page. If you see the order in your Recent Orders list, everything is good; your email was probably caught in some spam filter somewhere. But, if you haven't received your email AND the order doesn't appear in your Recent Order list, contact our support team.

Delivery confirmation email

A delivery confirmation email is sent to you when your order has been shipped from our printing plant. If you purchased a "trackable delivery" (we currently offer tracking on FedEx packages), the email will include a tracking number you can use to track your pack.

Didn't get the email? No problem. The delivery tracking number can be found in your Account profile under Orders.

Making changes to your shopping cart

You can add and remove items from your shopping cart and adjust item quantities.

To add an item to your cart, read Making an order.

To remove items from your cart, click on the shopping cart logo, find the item in the cart that you don't want, and click "Remove" (you'll find it under the item price).

To change the quantity of an item, click into the quantity box (located to the the left of the item price) and type in the quantity you'd like. (We prefer that you increase the quantity rather than decrease it, but that's simply because we're filthy capitalists).

Finding Previous Orders

Previous Orders can be found in your Account profile.

To find your Previous Orders:

1. Click on your username in the top-right corner.
2. In your account panel, click on "Orders."
3. The list at the top of the page, on the blue background, are your Previous Orders.

Finding your Order Number

Your Order Number can be found in your order confirmation email and the Order detail page.

To find your Order detail page:

1. Click on your username in the top-right corner.
2. In your account panel, click on "Orders."
3. Choose the order in question from the "Recent Orders" list.
4. The Order Number can be found at the top of the page, beside the Order date.

Paying for your order

We accept Visa and Mastercard. We do not accept American Express, Discover, or Paypal.

Our website uses Verisign SSL technology to ensure your information is secure and private. Verisign is the web's leading security provider.

The charge on your your statement will appear as "Storybird.com."

When your card is charged

Your card is charged after you place your order.

Declined cards

Cards are declined for various reasons: inputting incorrect information, unavailable funds, etc.

If your card was declined, we suggest the following:

1. Ensure you're using a card we accept. We ONLY accept Visa and Mastercard.
2. Double-check that you entered the card information accurately.
3. Verify that the billing address matches the card being used.
4. Finally, check that you have enough funds. Sometimes the well is dry.

If you've done all these and still have trouble, we suggest trying a different card if you have the option (but only a Visa or Mastercard).

Declined cards can appear as a statement transaction

Banks allocate money to a transaction when you make an order. If the order is declined, your bank temporarily holds those funds. Sometimes, if you check your statement before they return the allocated funds, it appears as a transaction. Typically, the held funds will disappear after a few days. If not—contact your card company.

Credit card security

We encrypt all credit card transactions through Verisign SSL technology to ensure your information is secure and private. Verisign is the web's leading security provider.

Currency conversion for international orders

All prices on the site are in US dollars. If you make a purchase with a card that was not issued for US purchases (for instance, Euros or Pounds), your card company will convert the US price into your country currency at the current currency rate. (If you need to be refunded for whatever reason, they'll use the currency rate on the day they process the refund. This may differ from when your card was initially charged.) Your bank may add a fee for conversion. Contact them for details.

We do plan to add other currencies as we grow. Particularly the British Pound since we like the BBC and David Bowie.

You need an account to place an order—for now

Currently you can only buy your own Storybirds, which means that a) you'll need an account and b) you'll need to make some Storybirds ;)

However, you'll soon be able to buy featured Storybirds and great art gifts in our Shop. When that's released, you'll be able to buy things without an account. (Of course, our accounts only require a username and password—so it's not too much trouble to create one in the first place.)

Shipping options

We ship via FedEx and USPS to the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. We'll be adding several countries as we grow.

Shipping fees

Shipping fees vary from country to country and delivery options. No worries, though: we display delivery options and prices during checkout and BEFORE you pay. Generally, single books can ship for as low as $5.

Delivery speed

Storybirds take between 3-5 business days to print and hand pack. After that, your shipping choice determines how quickly you'll receive your order.

Shipment tracking

A delivery confirmation email is sent to you when your order has been shipped from our printing plant. If you purchased a "trackable delivery" (we currently offer tracking on FedEx packages), the email will include a tracking number you can use to track your pack.

Didn't get the email? No problem. The delivery tracking number can be found in your Account profile under Orders.

Your shipment tracking number doesn't work

There's a slight delay between the time your order is shipped (and we send you the tracking number) and when the courier company updates their tracking information. Check back in 24 hours and everything should be cool.

Shipping by post/mail

We offer options to ship via USPS (the United States Postal Service). It's the most economical way to ship and it's the only way to ship to PO, APO, and AE boxes.

Delivery times typically range from 2-8 days in the United States. If you haven't received your package after 2 weeks, contact our support team.

International post/mail

International post deliveries (particularly outside of North America) range from 1-4 weeks but can take up to five weeks due to local delivery conditions and routing issues. (Note that you can't track postal shipments.) If you haven't received your delivery after four weeks, contact our support team.

Shipping to a PO/APO/AE box

You can ship to PO, APO, and AE boxes using post/mail delivery.

To choose this option:

1. Enter the PO, APO, or AE box number in the "Address 2" field in the "Shipping Address" form.
2. Choose "Yes" to the question "Is this a PO, APO, or AE box?" below the "Address 2" field.
3. A message will inform you that your shipping option has been narrowed to "post only" in the "Shipping Options" form.

Delivery times typically range from 5-8 days but can take up to five weeks due to local delivery conditions and routing issues. (Note that you can't track postal shipments.)

International shipments

We currently ship to the US, Canada, Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom via FedEx and USPS (United States Postal Service). See our pricing grid for details.

International shipments and custom charges

Your country may add custom charges to your order. This sucks. But it does help your country's government afford lavish washrooms for Cabinet Ministers. Everything has an upside.

Seriously—check with your local customs office (you can easily Google them). Many of them display order sizes and tariffs. Happily, some have a threshold where they don't add duties and taxes.

Bulk shipment discounts

We don't offer bulk shipment discounts at this time. However, the more books in a box, the less the shipping cost per book.

What to do when your order hasn't arrived

Here are some things that might be the cause of the delay.

Quick sanity check:

1. Check your Order page and/or confirmation email for your address. Did you use the correct one? If not, consider talking to your neighbors. Maybe it was delivered to them.
2. Ask your spouse, kids, parents, significant others if they signed for the package/received the package and forgot to tell you. Trust us—this happens.
3. Double-check our delivery times. Sometimes things take longer than you remember.

For trackable packages:
If you purchased FedEx shipping, check the delivery status on your Order Detail page.

To find your Order detail page:

1. Click on your username in the top-right corner.
2. In your account panel, click on "Orders."
3. Choose the order in question from the "Recent Orders" list.
4. If you purchased FedEx shipping, you'll see a big "Check delivery status" button below your ordered items. Click it! (PS. If you don't see the "Check delivery status" button, it's because you didn't purchase trackable delivery.)

For non-trackable packages (ie. USPS/post/mail):
Double-check our delivery times. Then, add a week. If your purchase still hasn't arrived, contact our support team.

Format, sizes, usage, and resolution

Downloads are color PDF files of your Storybirds that allow you to archive your stories on your computer, print them at home, and view them on devices like the iPad, iPhone, and Nook Color.

We currently offer three sizes of PDFs:

• Standard: prints on 8.5" x 11" paper; each story page is 9" x 5.6"
• Pocket: prints on 8.5" x 11" paper in a grid of images that are 4.5" x 2.8" each
• Mini: prints on 8.5" x 11" paper in a grid of images that are 2.25" x 1.4" each

The Standard PDF is used for reading on devices like the iPad and Nook Color, and printing your book at home (one page per sheet, trim the edges—done!). They also make great archives of your stories. Pocket and Mini sizes are simple craft projects: they're designed to be printed at home, cut, and folded into (rather adorable) small books (simple instructions are included in the PDF). They're ideal for school projects, stocking stuffers, and home-made greeting cards.

The Standard PDF is rendered at 100 dpi and Pocket and Mini are both rendered at 150 dpi.

Buying downloads

PDF downloads are available the moment you've published your Storybirds. Simply click on the green "Buy" button on your story page and it will default to PDF purchase.

There are two PDF download options:

• Standard: one Standard PDF file
• Bundle: three PDF files: Standard, Pocket, and Mini

Once you select your option, you can personalize the book and inspect the pages (galleys) before purchasing.

From there, you:

1. Add to cart, then
2. Proceed through checkout and purchase

Once your purchase is approved, you'll receive two emails: one with your receipt, and one with a link to your download. Simply click the download link or paste it into your browser and you'll be directed to your download archive where your file is ready.

I didn't get my download email

No worries. Your downloads are always available in your account. Don't see them there? Contact us at support.

Your download archive

An archive of your PDF purchases is always available in your account. The archive includes all versions of your PDF files (different sizes or different versions you've customized). Note that you can download your PDFs as often as you'd like, but you can only customize them with each new purchase.

Printing your PDF downloads

PDFs will print on any color or b&w home printer with standard paper. (You can also take the file to a copy shop where the ink quality is richer and paper choices are wider.)

Standard PDFs print one page per sheet. You trim the edges and fasten the book with some string, glue, staples, or grommets. Pocket and Mini PDFs arrange your story pages in a grid on the printed sheet. Simple instructions are included that show you where to cut and fold the pages to create some awfully adorable little books. (We've printed dozens of the Pocket and Mini sizes at our homes for small gifts, stocking stuffers, and sendables. They are truly awesome and incredibly affordable. Note: we are terribly biased and prone to exaggeration.)

Using downloads on the iPad, iPhone, Nook Color, etc.

PDF downloads can be easily displayed on iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch using Apple's free iBook app and many other free PDF app players. B&N's Nook Color also displays PDFs, as does any Android-based tablet device with color screens. We're particularly bullish on iPads: the size is perfect, the colors are gorgeous, the interaction is smooth, and iBooks makes managing them trivial. (Snuggling up with your kids to read Storybirds on an iPad is one of the better feelings in the universe.)

Here's a simple trick to get your PDF onto your iPad effortlessly: email yourself with the PDF as an attachment. Tap on the file, and iPad will allow you to open it instantly with iBook.

Not for resale

Your PDFs can be downloaded over and over, printed at home or copy shop, emailed to friends and family, and shared as broadly as you'd like. However, they're not for resale. You can't sell them on your blog, upload them to Amazon, or print hundreds of copies to sell at a bake sale.

Before you get all “don't tell me what to do with my purchase,” remember that PDFs, printed books, and other material versions of your stories is how Storybird artists get paid. The deal is simple: you use their work online for free. If you love it, you buy a version of your book. Then they get paid and continue to feed their kids.

What is your return/refund policy?

Storybirds are non-returnable and non-refundable given the custom nature of the product. All sales are final.

However, if your order was damaged in transit or has an obvious manufacturing defect, we'll reprint, repackage, and ship you a replacement at our cost.

To make a defect/damage claim:

1. Email our support team a digital picture of the defect and describe the problem. Include up to three images to help us gauge the issue.
2. Include your order number in the email.
3. Contact us within 14 days of receiving your defective order. We do not provide replacements after 14 days.

Do I have to pay to return a defective product?

No. In most cases, and with the help of your digital pictures, we can assess the problem remotely and issue a replacement order. If for whatever reason we need to examine the physical book, we'll pay to have it returned to our printing facility.

FAQ: How to use Storybird

Most of the answers to most of your questions about using Storybird.

FAQ: Storybird for schools

Everything you need to know about using Storybird in the classroom.

Help

Not sure what to do? Help is on the way. (Well, if you click on “Help.”)