The order form, now in five short steps

Making a comic about someone you love takes a few minutes of thought: their name, a line for the first page, some photos, the look, the details that make them who they are. Until 25 September all of it sat on one long page, about ten screens of scrolling on a phone. So we rebuilt the order form around five short steps, each about one phone screen.

The five steps

1. Who it is for. Their name, who they are to you, the occasion, and your email. At the top, a small card shows what you will get: a 26-page comic, $49 USD, typically ready the same day and always within 24 hours, and a reminder to have one to three clear photos of each person ready.
2. Dedication. The words on the first page inside the cover, like the inscription in a book. It now has a page of its own, before the photos. Write a few lines, or leave it empty and we write one for them.
3. Photos. One to three clear photos of each person. One is enough; three is best. Add a person or a pet from here: someone you add starts on the hero's side, and the villain role is one tap away if you want it.
4. Look and feel. Six style cards, each with a real cover to compare, and a story direction suggested from the occasion that you can change.
5. Details. Their city, and the things that make the story theirs: habits, inside jokes, names to include, anything to keep out.

Since 1 October the form also draws a free preview: once your photos and style are in, press "See Sam as the hero" and your person is drawn as the hero from your photos, in the style you chose, before you pay (more about the preview).

Each step checks only its own answers before you move on, and the phone's back gesture moves between steps instead of leaving the form.

It keeps your answers

Finding three good photos of someone often means leaving the page for your photo library. The form now saves your answers and uploaded photos on your device as you go. Come back later, or reload the page, and it says "Welcome back. We kept your answers." with a link to start over if you would rather.

Smaller things

• Questions, answered in place. A "Questions?" link at the top opens short answers on what you get, how long it takes, which photos work best, photo permission and refunds, without leaving the form.
• The finish line tells you what is left. On the last step, the bar above the checkout button names anything still missing, and one tap takes you to it.
• A promise at the pay step. Right above checkout it now says: "Love it, or get a full refund within 14 days." One free revision is included too.
• Easier on phones. Larger text fields, so iPhones no longer zoom in when you tap one, and every button big enough for a thumb.

What you get has not changed: an original 26-page story written from your answers, drawn from your photos, checked page by page by a person before it is sent, for $49 USD, typically the same day and always within 24 hours. Start a comic.