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Step one: capture the word precisely
Start with a text field that records the exact spelling, capitalization and any accents or punctuation. Ask whether the word is a name, a place or a phrase, since that affects how it is set. Worked example: a customer enters Marigold for a grandmother's birthday gift and notes that the capital M must remain. Show a live preview in a neutral typeface so the customer can confirm spelling before anything is designed. Most revision requests come from spelling or case errors, so catching them here saves time for both sides.
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Step two: narrow the style with examples
Style words like elegant or playful mean different things to different people, so offer four or five visual samples instead. Let the customer choose one primary direction and optionally mark one they dislike. In the Marigold example, she picks a flowing script with warm botanical color and rejects heavy block lettering. Add choices for background tone and paper size, each with a short note on how it affects the finished look. This turns a vague preference into a design brief a designer can act on within minutes.
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Step three: set proof, revision and delivery rules
State what happens after the order is placed: when the proof arrives, how many revisions are included and what counts as a change. For Marigold, the page might promise one proof by email, one adjustment to spacing or color, and a final approval step before printing. Include a plain summary of word, style, size and delivery address for the customer to check. End with a confirmation message listing next steps. Clear rules reduce disputes, protect the designer's time and give the buyer confidence that the gift will arrive as imagined.