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Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean: "brushed lacquer finish?"

What is this geometry business and why do I see 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10 when I want something larger?

What is studio-wrap?

Can I frame a studio-wrap?

What is stretching?

Why are Framed Canvasses listed as a separate product?

Do I have to have a digital file?

What size and type should my digital file be?

Can you make a custom size?

Can you extract from multiple photos into one image?

Can I order different quantities of different sizes?

How do I order more than one image?

How do I determine minor, medium & major repairs?

What's the difference between color restore and colorization?

How much can my image be enlarged?

Should I scan my photo or send it to you?

Longevity - Archival Quality

How long does it take?

How do I order more than one image?

How do I order more than one image?

Very Exceptional Brushed Lacquer Finishing

We have been reproducing fine art on canvas for years and learned early on that this is a crucial final step in producing a canvas that really has the feel of an oil painting. We actually use a brush to hand apply a final coat of liquid lacquer, adding a sheen and hardness to the surface that is impossible to achieve with spray alone.

All the other offerings we have seen only finish their canvasses with a protective spray - this is necessary and beneficial to protect the canvas, but it does not provide that subtle feel of a real oil-painting.

Geometry of your original or cropped image

The various sizes that an image may be enlarged to is dictated by the original size, or more accurately, the original geometry. This can be calculated by multiplying BOTH height and width by the same factor. Thus a 4x6 times 2 becomes an 8x12 or times 3 a 12x18.

If you want only a portion of your original photo, measure that portion, height and width by the factor you wish it enlarged, and that will give you the final size. When ordering this image, use the product (4x6, 5x7, 8x10) that most closely matches the portion of you want printed. That product will present you with suitable enlarged sizes.

If the geometry is unusual, please use the last, custom size product, which presents you with a variety of finished sizes.

You may order different geometries of the same photo, but note that the photo will need to be cropped differently for each geometry. This is usually easily accomplished without severely altering the subject but not always.  Consider that an 4x10 image of a standing person could only be made square by removing the lower torso or by adding a great deal of blank canvas to the sides.

What is stretching

Stretching is the process of affixing a canvas to an internal wood framework. This is a necessary structural process for mounting canvas paintings that has not changed for centuries. Whether you choose studio-wrapping or framed, the canvas must still be stretched onto a wood framework.

What is studio-wrap?

Studio wrapping is essentially the same as stretching with two differences. Since the purpose of studio-wrapping is to create a canvas that can be hung without a frame and thus have exposed sides, the image is made so wrap around the sides, giving a finished and intersting look. Also, studio-wrapping entails stapling the canvas to the back of the stretchers instead of the sides (a more difficult process).

Studio-wrapping results in a somewhat modern and casual look, and we think it is the best choice for photographs on canvas. It is ready to hang and lightweight, so it is effortless to put on your wall. It also works very well with most paintings.

Old photographs, around the turn of the century, which have a very traditional, posed appearance, migght rest more comfortably in a frame.

Can I frame a studio-wrap?

If you later to decide to frame a studio-wrapped canvas, it is completely ready - all you have to do is acqure the correct size frame and drop it in. You will no longer see the edges of the image that wrap around the stretchers, but in most cases this is not a problem.
For paintings this is a more significant consideration since most paintings are very finely composed, and the loss of a border element may have a strong negative effect. Most paintings work well studio-wrapped, there are just less amenable to framing later.
If you know you are going to frame your canvas, please select the 'for framing' option.
If you want your canvas framed by us, please choose the 'framed canvas' product and select a frame style.

Why are framed canvasses listed separately?

We are not a frame shop, but for your convenience, we stock a small selection of frames in standard sizes only - these are the sizes you see listed. These are quality frames at a great price and convenience. But there are an infinite variety of frame styles - that is why we give you the option of selecting any size 'for framing' (instead of studio-wrap). You can take your finished canvas to your local frame shop or find a frame online - either way the canvas is ready to be dropped in a frame (order a frame of the same dimensions as the canvas).

Also, because we have a close relationship with an outstanding local frameshop (Oyster Bay Frame Shop), we offer you the option of directing us to deliver the finished canvas to them. You can then correspond directly with the proprietor, who has many years of experience and who will have your canvas in front of him to select just the right frame for your image and decor.

Digital file or photograph.

We are expert at scanning photographs and slides, so do not hesitate to send us your image!

We offer the digital upload option becuase many folks nowadays are using digital cameras and there is no point in printing and mailing a picture if you have the digital image.

File size and type

The ideal file for a smaller canvas is a 1 to 2 megabyte .jpeg file. There are a lot of factors involved in determining the smallest practical file, but don't send anything less than 300 kilobytes. We review all images very closely of course, and if we feel the resolution is marginal, we'll contact you. .tif files are unecessary, but if you send one of these, it should be much larger, as it is uncompressed.

For a larger canvas, e.g., 24x36, a file size of 10 megabytes or more is normal, and we will need to give you an ftp address to send that to us.

Another important rule - do not send us an image from a screenshot! These are by definition of very low resolution and cannot be used for printing.

Custom Sizes

Yes, we can print any size you like, in one inch increments. There is no added fee for custom sizes, the price will correspond to the sizes you see listed. You'll see a custom size product listing - choose it and pick the closest dimension listed to the size you want and all the other options.  When checking out you may enter the exact dimensions in the box for Additional Information.

Please consider  that the geometry of an image cannot change except by cropping it! In other words, say we enlarge your image to twice its original size and the result is a 13x16 picture.  If you want it printed to fit in a 12x16 frame, we will need to crop 1 inch off the 13" dimension.  This is a trivial operation and there is no fee for this. 

Extracting Images for Compositions or Montages

We can extract images, such as a person or head from one or more photographs and combine it with another photograph.

To do this once is a 'major retouch' and priced accordingly. This can often be done in a very realistic manner but not always. Combining extracts from several photos in a realistic manner may be impractical, but doing so in a stylized manner, like a montage, is fairly simple and not expensive.

Ordering different sizes and quantities.

To order multiple canvasses of the same or different sizes, first order just one canvas with all the options specified (be sure to give it a name) and add it to your cart. Then return to the order page and add another item to your cart with the same name but with NO OPTIONS except your frame choice.  This item may be a different size than the first and have a different frame choice. Repeat this step for each different size and/or frame choice.  If you want multiples of the same size and frame choice, just change the quantity in your shopping cart.

This process insures you are only charged one fee for the enhancements and repairs we make to your image.  If there are no enhancements  to the image and you want multiples of the same size and frame, just change the quantity next to the Buy button.

Multiple images

To order multiple images (not multiple copies of the same image - see above) without having to checkout each time, be sure to input an image name (the last option) before you press the Buy button. This will enable us to associate your order details with the images you upload. The name should clearly relate to the file name you upload or the actual subject of the image, e.g., "Mom and Dad", "Baby". Obviously, if the images are similar subjects, the filename will be more reliable. Don't worry - if there is any confusion, we will contact you.

After Checkout, when you are presented with the Upload Image screen, click on the button that says Upload Multiple images and you will get a screen that enables you upload an image. After doing so, just press the back button in your browser and do it again, as often as you need.  Or just email all the images to us!

Minor, Medium & Major Repairs

Generally, some work on the background of an image will fall into the minor category and can often be avoided altogether with superior results by cropping the edges of an old photo which are most susceptible to damage.

If minor repairs are required to the primary subject, especially faces, this will fall in the medium category.

Large or numerous tears or holes or spots would be a major restoration.

Color Restore or Colorization

If you can make out the original colors of the photograph pretty easily, even though severely faded, it is a color restore, which is a minor or medium restoration. If you are pretty much guessing at the original colors, but there does seem to be some color left, it is still a color restore as a major restoration.

If the color is faded away completely or the original is monochromatic, it is a colorization job.

Besides the price differentials, there are aesthetic differences. Please study the colorize/restore slideshow, which has excellent real-world examples of the differences (note the labels).

How much can my image be enlarged?

A good rule of thumb is that a 4x6 should be enlarged to no more than 12x18, an 5x7 to 15x21 and an 8x10 to 24x30. This is about 3x. But please note that the sharpness or clarity of the original photo cannot be much altered.

In most cases you will be pleasantly surprised - a badly faded photo usually retains its original sharpness, and by restoring its color and contrast it can be made good as new. On the other hand, if a vivid new photo is fuzzy (out of focus), we can make only minimal improvements to it.

Should I scan myself or send you the original?

We strongly encourage you to send us your original photo, slide or transparency. We have been scanning images, including those for original fine art reproduction for years and can insure the optimal retention of color and detail, so important for enlargements.

If you are experienced at scanning and prefer to do it yourself, please note that an original photo smaller than 8x10 should be enlarged during the scanning process by at least 200%. This causes the scanner to look at the original more closely as it multiples the size.

If your original is from a magazine rather than a photograph, we have uncommonly good de-screening software that can only be applied during the scanning process to greatly reduce offset printing artifacts. We reccommend sending us the original in this case.

Longevity - Archival Quality

All our canvas and fine art prints are made with the finest archival quality stratas and inks. The canvases are rated to last over 100 years, without any fading under normal, indoor conditions. In fact, our shop window has some canvases that have been exposed to the sun for years without any noticeable fading.

You can expect your canvas to last for generations in excellent condition.

How Long Does It Take?

It usually takes one week from receipt of your finalized order to shipment except for custom framed sizes, when we may need to order the frame. (Custom studio-wrapped are done in a week.)

Because we stretch and hand-lacquer each canvas and they must dry for 24 hours, we do occassionally get backed up a few days, especially around Christmas, so be sure to order early then.