FAQ - Find Canvas Prints | Fast canvas prints Sydney
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1. Ordering
2. Preparing and Supplying Images
3. Shipping
4. Policies / Terms of Trade
5. Technical Stuff
1. Ordering
1.1 How much is it to have my photo enlarged and printed?
One simple price from our price list. Please be aware that the prices on the price list are examples as we have a calculator and will print and stretch any size to fit your wall space.
If you send us a digital file, we will scan and size for free. The final file is huge compared to the file you send us.
If you send a photo, slide or negative, we will need to scan it in and includes basic enhancement (colour & contrast correction, interpolation and scratch & blemish removal).
Please check pricing here
If you send us a digital file, we will scan and size for free. The final file is huge compared to the file you send us.
If you send a photo, slide or negative, we will need to scan it in and includes basic enhancement (colour & contrast correction, interpolation and scratch & blemish removal).
Please check pricing here
1.2 How much do the extras cost?
Not much really. Have a look at the Production items under 'Send Us Yours' as you may need your image Scanned if you have a negative, slide or printed photo. Remember basic Photoshopping is done free of charge (as long as it doesn't take too long!) Excessive image manipulation is quoted.
1.3 What is an image split, multi panel or triptych? How do I make them?
A photo split or multipanel canvas is one image that is split across a number of different panels.
You need to select the width all the panels will take up on the wall together, upload the image/s to us here www.bigprintsoncanvas.wetransfer.com and we will do the split for you. You will be emailed a sample screen shot before we print for approval.
Call us to discuss your wall hanging project.
1.4 How do I get my file reprinted later?
Scan Once, Output Many : Your digital file is your digital asset. Once your file has been prepared and colour corrected, we will archive the file for a few months in case you want another print and all your color preferences. If you would like re-prints later, just let us know and we'll pull your file from the archive and print it - no recurring costs to you except for the printing. We then delete your file.
1.5 Are your prices inclusive of GST?
Prices quoted include Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) unless otherwise stated.
2. Preparing and Supplying Images
2.1 How do I size my own images up?
You don't need to - we'll size it up for you for FREE. Simply attach the image (under 10Mb) to an email and send to orders@bigcanvasprints.com.au with a request to see if it can be sized to the canvas print you are looking for on your wall. If over 10Mb then please use www.bigprintsoncanvas.wetransfer.com for a free upload of up to 10Gb !
2.2. Which digital camera should I buy?
The best reviews by far on digital cameras can be found at http://www.dpreview.com
We believe there are cost and convenience limits here so using the latest smart phones camera or even youe iPad will yield a very good result. Made better by some post production work with Photoshop oor a similar image editor.
2.3 What can I send you?
A digital file, or a 35mm negative, or a 35mm slide, or a photo print. We scan all the latter ones to a digital file and enlarge them using some very sophisticated technology that does it and keeps the image sharp.
2.4 Can you do other creative things to my pictures?
Yes. Basically anything can be superimposed, the colours changed and we even fix up faded pics and put nice old fashioned sepia tones on them with titles if required. Converting your photo to black and white or sepia is FREE of charge. We also swop eyes or smiles from different photos for you to get everyone in the shot smiling! Collage canvas prints also look very cool. Just Google 'collage' and check out the different ways you can have them done - all right here at Bigprints on Canvas.
2.5 Can I send you a picture from my digital camera or smart phone?
Yes - we accept any jpeg, TIF, or RAW images from any brand of digital camera. Usually they make great canvases or big canvas prints from a jpeg around 150Kb in size or bigger. BTW the average image size from an iphone is around 2.5Mb so very big! We have successfully found a unique way to take very small 100k files and enlarge them up to over a metre wide! If in doubt just email your image to us at orders@bigcanvasprints.com.au and we'll let you know the optimum way of presenting it.
2.6 I create my own digital files. How large should I make them?
Create your image at 220dpi at final output size (eg 20x30 inches or to the closest centimetre so 50 x 75CM) and it will be more than sufficient to maintain sharpness and detail. Save as a jpeg or a TIF. Upload viawww.bigprintsoncanvas.wetransfer.com with your contact details. If you have an existing file, and you can't recreate your image at a high resolution. Try not to simply 'resize' with a photo editing program to achieve high resolution. For best results, you must create your image at a high dpi in the first place by choosing the 'FINE' setting or 'maximum resolution' on the camera preferences.
If all this is technospeak, simply email the photo to us at info@bigcanvasprints.com.au
2.7 How do I sharpen an image?
Sharpening of images is mandatory with most digital files as your camera shoots fairly soft. In Photoshop go to Filter/sharpen/unsharp mask and the ideal is around 100 and 1.8 pixel width.
Sharpening should only really be done after an image has been resized to its final print size. Other colour and artistic adjustments can be done when the file is small in its original state before sizing for final canvas printing.
Sharpening should only really be done after an image has been resized to its final print size. Other colour and artistic adjustments can be done when the file is small in its original state before sizing for final canvas printing.
2.8 Do you fix scratches and marks on my original old photo print?
Oh yes - it doesn't take long and you won't see the patch up. First we have to make it into a digital file by scanning the film, photo or artwork - then we can remove stratches and blemishes.
2.9 How do I hang my canvas?
Your canvas print is very light so the non wall marking stick on double side hooks available at your local supermarket are fine even up to a 1500mm wide canvas. Use the 2.5Kg hooks. If you want to hang a large panorama canvas - just use 2 hooks about 2 feet apart and they dont have to be the same height.
3. Shipping
3.1 How long does it take to get my canvas print ?
Our current turnaround on 'custom requests' is 7 work days but we can do a 24 hr turnaround in metro Sydney if you have the image to us by 12 noon the working day before. If you require 'unwrapped' canvas, then turnaound can be 2 work days.
3.2 What are my shipping options?
If you live in Sydney your canvas will be delivered by a metro courier van. Outside Sydney we use TNT door to door couriers. Thats why its very important you give us all the street delivery details on the order with a contact phone number for the courier.
Shipping Rates:
Metro Sydney and anywhere in Australia: $35 for packing and delivery (up to 1.5 kg = a few 20x30 inch canvases in one package)
Metro Sydney and anywhere in Australia: $35 for packing and delivery (up to 1.5 kg = a few 20x30 inch canvases in one package)
and anywhere outside major cities is $45
> over that weight is anything from $45 to $95 anywhere in Australia
4. Policies / Terms of Trade
4.1 What is your return policy?
We offer a 100% satifaction guarantee. If you aren't completely satfied with your canvas print, or if it arrives damaged, we'll arrange a new one, no questions asked. The only product we dont apply this to is a Groupon voucher or similar which has a non-return policy due to the extrrmemly low discounts provided.
4.1 Do I need to copyright my work?
No. Copyright protection is automatic; there is no system of registration in Australia. A work does not need to be published, or have the copyright notice on it, to be protected. From the time it is first written down or recorded in some way it is protected, provided it has resulted from its creator’s skill and effort and is not simply copied from another work. You do not need to register your work unless you want to sue someone for reproducing or selling your work without your permission. Visit the Australian Copyright Council for more information on copyright laws and protection http://www.copyright.org.au/.
4.2 What is your damaged goods or replacement policy?
Packing and delivery is completed with the best packing materials. We can assure you that all freight is insured so if any damage we will replace the canvas print immediately. Please take some photos and email these to us of the box and the canvas print so we can claim for the delivery.
4.3 How do I pay? Do I need to make a down payment?
We accept direct deposits to our bank account, VISA, MasterCard, PayPal and Eway direct bank transfers for the full amount with the order.
Typically we will charge your credit card when we are sure your job has printed correctly.
Typically we will charge your credit card when we are sure your job has printed correctly.
5. Technical Stuff
5.1 How do you print the giclee prints?
We print your picture on the latest in high resolution large format printers. A recent breakthrough in technology has allowed us to bring you long lasting, vibrant, photo quality images that are fade resistant for over 75 years. We use archival inks that are pigment based rather than dye based.
5.2 What is the difference between 'canvas only' and 'canvas wrapped'?
Canvas only means it is not stretched over a frame - we deliver it rolled and you arrange stretching with your local framer. "Canvas Wrapped" means we deliver it, ready to hang, stretched around a 4cm (2inch) thick wooden frame, strung and taped at the back so dust doesn't get in the crack between the canvas and the frame. Gives a nice chunky art gallery feel.
5.3 How Long do they last?
At this stage the inks have been lab tested to around 75 years lifespan, provided they are not subjected to direct ultra violet light. So you'll get a long, long life from the prints if they are kept out of direct sunlight.
5.4 How are they mounted?
The canvas is stretched onto high quality 40mm wood frames.
5.5 What material do you print on?
After much research, we produce the finest giclée prints on 100% acid free medium matt cotton/poly canvas.
5.6 What inks do you use?
We use pigmented inks which provide not only better display permanence than the dye-based inks you get at most chain stores, but also have better water-fastness,humidity-fastness and superior resistance to gas fading (not a misprint!).
5.7 How do you care for your canvas (clean them)?
Just treat your canvas like any fine art piece. Simply run a duster over them once a month and that should take any dust off the front and top. If you have a mark from a moth or similar you can use a soft white cloth and water only to rub very gently over the area affected. This does remove light marks that have not embedded in the canvas fabric.
Please note , we give no warranties on this should you rub too hard and the pigment comes off or cracks.
5.8 What are Acceptable Digital Files?
Most iphone or smart phone images are fine to create a canvas. If in any doubt please upload the image here and we'll check it for you (remmeber to let us know what size you'd like)
Preferably, send your digital file as a JPG file. For crisp fast output, your original file should contain a minimum of 220 pixels per inch at final output size (dpi). Files with 100-200 dots per inch at final output may be acceptable, but will not have the sharpness and detail of larger files. A lower dpi leads to soft edges and loss of detail which may be acceptable for some images particularly prints on canvas.
The table below shows the file sizes for various output sizes at 200 and 300 dpi so you can get an idea of how big your file will be if you give it to us the correct size:
Output Size @200 dpi @ 300 dpi
11x14" 17 MB 38 MB
16x20" 36 MB 80 MB
28x20" 64 MB 144 MB
32x44" 160 MB 360 MB
Output Size @200 dpi @ 300 dpi
11x14" 17 MB 38 MB
16x20" 36 MB 80 MB
28x20" 64 MB 144 MB
32x44" 160 MB 360 MB
5.9 What proofing options do you offer?
Over the past few years the technology has become so good that you don't really need a proof if you adhere to our Colour Management request.
If you submit a normal digital camera image as a jpeg file it usually arrives in sRGB format. We print out of and use Adobe 1998 colour space in Photoshop so if you can emulate that, then what you see, will not vary by more than say 5% on what you get back from us.
BUT, and there always is one. You need to have a reasonable colour card in your computer with a decent colour screen. Don't let this put you off as we have had one issue with this in thousands of canvases printed since the turn of the century!
If you submit a normal digital camera image as a jpeg file it usually arrives in sRGB format. We print out of and use Adobe 1998 colour space in Photoshop so if you can emulate that, then what you see, will not vary by more than say 5% on what you get back from us.
BUT, and there always is one. You need to have a reasonable colour card in your computer with a decent colour screen. Don't let this put you off as we have had one issue with this in thousands of canvases printed since the turn of the century!
5.10 What shall I allow for stretch in the borders?
Stretching : If you choose to stretch (or 'wrap')canvas prints, allow a minimum of 2 inch (5cm) borders on all sides of the print. Our 'prices are for wrapped/stretched canvas
Check out 'wrap' options on our site here
Check out 'wrap' options on our site here
5.11 What special instructions does my photographer need to shoot my work?
If you are having a professional photographer shoot your artwork, be sure to get high resolution digital files for print. Instruct your photographer to take extra care ensuring the piece is evenly lit.
If you work in oils, acrylics, or any other highly reflective medium, your photographer will need to polarize both the light source and lens.
5.12 What is digital image resolution?
Digital image resolution is the size of your image, measured in pixels ("picture elements"). A high-resolution image (such as 1600 x 1200 pixels) will result in a better printed canvas than a low resolution image (such as 320 x 240 pixels), all other things being equal. If the resolution is too low for the size of the print chosen, the photograph will look fuzzy and indistinct. We recommend that you always use the high resolution setting on your camera to ensure the best canvas prints.
But if you happen to have a low resolution file, all is not lost for canvas prints. What we can do is run a few filters through the file so that it may look 'painterly' close up but your canvas print looks like a photo from a short distance away.
But if you happen to have a low resolution file, all is not lost for canvas prints. What we can do is run a few filters through the file so that it may look 'painterly' close up but your canvas print looks like a photo from a short distance away.
5.13 How should I prepare my digital files?
Digital File : The most important element of giclée printing is the digital file. Without quality input, no printer can produce quality output. Make sure your digital file is prepared properly and contains no unwanted jpeg 'artifacts' before sending it to us.Digital Color Space : Compose your color files in the Adobe 1998 RGB workspace.
File Types : Save your files as TIFs with LZW compression or flattened Photoshop PSDs. LZW is a lossless compression that does not degrade the image quality. To the contrary, JPG compression is a lossy compression. Avoid opening and resaving JPG files as this may destroy color fidelity and image sharpness. We work every day with jpg files that were opened in Photoshop and manipulated then saved ONCE only as a jpeg - this reduces upload time and does not affect canvas image quality.
