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Overview
The following information is provided to help answer common questions about Pictoart and allow you to feel comfortable with the process. If you have any questions that are not answered here, feel free to contact us. Please keep in mind that nothing is ever set in stone, so if we need to make any kind of special arrangement to adapt to a particular situation, we are happy to do so. We want to make sure this is fun for both you and us.
- What is Pictoart?
- Why Pictoart?
- How does it work?
- How are the final works created? Are they done by hand?
- How long does it take?
- What materials do you use?
- How much does this cost?
- What payment methods do you accept?
- What kind of images work best?
- How many photos can I submit?
- Can you alter poses, change clothing, or add details?
- What if I do not have digital versions of my photograph(s)?
- Do you offer framing?
- Do you offer canvas stretching?
- Do you offer gift certificates?
- How are works shipped?
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us. We will be more than happy to sweep away any clouds.
1. What is Pictoart?
The name "Pictoart" comes from "Pictures To Art". In a nutshell, we take your photographs or illustrations and use them as the basis for creating a unique work of art. "Photo art" has become a popular alternative to other types of art.
Read what some customers have had to say about Pictoart
2. Why Pictoart?
There are a number of reasons to feel confident that your decision to choose Pictoart is a good one.
- Multiple Artists. Pictoart offers something unique among art studios. More than one artist will work on your artwork. Sometimes up to six! These artists are competing to create the best work of art possible, based on your instructions and their artistic talents. This means you will have multiple different proofs to review and choose from. That's right, you become the judge in an art show where all the artists have worked on your project! With multiple proofs to choose from, the only thing you will need to worry about when it comes to getting a work of art you love, is how to choose just one!
- One-Of-A-Kind. Since every work is created based on the photo(s) you provide and the instructions you give, the final work will be completely unique.
- Sentimental. What could be more important to you than your memories? A work of art created from a personal photograph will surely have a special place in your heart, and will be a source of pride when displayed.
- Personal. Your vision is half of every finished piece. You are a part of the final work of art.
- Stylish. Each work is visually compelling. With multiple styles to choose from, you can be sure that the finished work will look great wherever it is displayed.
- High Value. For less than the price of most art you'd find in a gallery (or in many department stores), you can have a commissioned one-of-a-kind work of art.
- Risk Free. We will work with you to ensure you are 100% satisfied with the final product. If you are not happy with the final proof, you will receive a complete refund.
- Professional. We take pride in our work and always conduct the commissioning process with integrity. Your final artwork is created with the best, archival-quality pigments, paper, and other materials.
- Fun. Creating art is certainly fun for us, and by being an integral part of the design process, it will be enjoyable for you as well.
Pictoart offers many advantages over our competition. When it comes to portraits, we do not charge based on the number of people in the artwork. Furthermore, we do not charge extra to combine elements from multiple photographs into a single work of art. We do not charge extra for retouching or removing elements that are in your photos that you do not want in your final artwork (such as extra people or background clutter). And if you decide to cancel your order if we cannot provide you with a proof that you approve of, you get a complete 100% refund. Even though multiple artists may have each spent several hours on your work, we do not charge a "design" fee or hold back any portion of your payment. There are no hidden charges. What you see on our pricing page is what you will pay.
Read what some customers have had to say about Pictoart
3. How does it work?
- Select a style. First, you should browse the Style Gallery and Great Ideas sections for inspiration. Once you know what you would like, you can Place an Order.
- Provide your instructions. You will complete a simple order form which allows you to specify required information such as the size of your finished artwork and type of paper or canvas. Optionally, you will also be able to provide requirements for desired colors to be used, framing and matting, text captions, and details about elements of your photo you'd like emphasized, altered, or removed from the finished piece.
- Submit your order. After you complete your order, you will be able to pay for your artwork via credit card or through PayPal.
- Provide your images. After completing the order, you will be able to upload your digital image(s). Or, if you would rather, you may mail your photographs. Anything you send to us will be sent back unaltered. See the Terms and Conditions regarding the policy for handling mailed photographs.
- Proofs are completed. Using your images and instructions, multiple artists will create unique works of art in the style you requested. Obviously, quite a bit of artistic skill and vision also goes into each work, but that is the best part!
- You approve the proof. After your proofs are complete (typically five business days), we will place your proofs online so you may view them. You judge the artwork done by multiple artists and choose the proof that appeals to you most. If there are any changes you would like made to one, you provide your feedback through the online form on the same page as your proofs. The artist will make the modifications you requested and a new proof will be posted for your review. This process can continue as long as progress is being made toward a final product you are happy with. Most works are approved by our customers after the first posting. We will make every effort to ensure your complete satisfaction. In the rare instance that you are not 100% satisfied even after we've made changes you have requested, you will receive a complete refund! See our guarantee for details.
- The final masterpiece is created. We use only the highest quality materials to produce the final work. Each piece is then famed and matted, stretched, etc. per your order (as applicable).
- Your artwork is shipped. Each piece is carefully packed and shipped to the destination you provided.
4. How are the final works created? Are they done by hand?
Your artwork will be digitally hand painted. Thus, a digital tablet and pen replace paintbrushes and pencil - though a high level of artistry and skill is important in either case. We do not just run your picture through some software filter to create your artwork. An artist will spend several hours applying colors and details, removing background elements, adding brushstrokes, and generally applying an artistic vision to create an original work of art based on what otherwise might be an only "so-so" photograph. Furthermore, since your artwork is stored on a computer at this time, we're able to quickly and accurately produce a proof of your photo art for you to approve online.
Once you approve the final design, a Giclée (pronounced zee-clay) print is made using the highest quality acid-free art paper, canvas, archival inks, and pigments. In some cases, we then apply final washes of color, certain details, and other finishing touches by hand using traditional medium such as watercolor, acrylics, pencil, and ink as necessary to bring your and our vision to life. This combination of both high-tech imaging and old-fashioned handicraft allows us to create art we can be proud to sell for a price you can be happy to pay. Furthermore, we'll get it finished and shipped to you in a fraction of the time (and cost) it'd take if you were to hire an artist on commission who did not use digital tools.
5. How long does it take?
From the time we receive your photos and completed order, it typically takes five business days for us to complete the first proofs. If after viewing the proof you have any requests for changes, a new proof will be posted within another three to five business days, but often sooner.
Small unframed works (12"x18" or smaller) done on fine art paper can typically be shipped three days after you approve a proof. Larger works on artist paper and framed works are typically shipped about five business days after you approve a proof. Works done on canvas (stretched or unstretched) are shipped five to eight business days after you approve a proof. (This includes a day or so to allow the work to completely dry before being stretched and shipped).
However, we're careful to never sacrifice quality for speed. We don't create art with an emphasis on efficiency as if we were cleaning our bathroom or buying groceries. You can rest assured that we will approach your commission with the respect and artistry it deserves. There are also times when we receive a large number of orders close together and get a bit backlogged. For this reason, if time is of the essence, you should be sure to tell us this when placing your order. If we cannot meet your deadline, we will let you know so that you can choose not to proceed with the order if you wish. We will always let you know of any delay, and you will always have the option to cancel your order for a full refund.
Lastly, keep in mind that shipping times (USPS Priority Mail, UPS Ground, or FedEx Ground unless otherwise arranged) will add another two to five days to the time it takes for your artwork to be delivered depending on where you live. If the destination is in Canada, customs may hold the shipment for inspection and this can add many days, even weeks, to shipping time, and is completely beyond our control.
6. What materials do you use?
We use only the highest quality materials.
- Inks. All works are printed using a professional Giclée process that is used by museums and artists who have limited edition prints made of original artwork for sale. The inks are UV resistant and pigment based (rather than dye based), and have an expected fade resistance of over 100 years.
- Paper. Pictoart uses paper produced by Hahnemühle, a leader in providing paper for fine art and reproductions, as well as paper created by Epson. Both papers are acid-free. This media shows a natural white finish with a slightly-structured, soft-textured surface matte. This high-quality paper is specially formulated for fine art archival reproductions.
- Canvas. Pictoart uses a specially primed matte canvas (cotton blend) with a light texture. All works on canvas receive a professional varnish to further protect them from fading, water, abrasion, cracking and peeling.
- Mats and Frames. Mats are made with acid-free mat board to prevent discoloration of art. Frames are made from real wood. Frames smaller than 16"x20" have glass inserts. Larger frames (16"x20" and larger) have styrene inserts. 8"x10" frames have both an easel (for displaying on a table or shelf) and a sawtooth hanger (for hanging on a wall). Frames larger than 8"x10" have one or more sawtooth hangers.
7. How much does this cost?
The final cost of your work depends on several factors including: size, framing, type of paper or canvas, and shipping. Smaller gift pieces (e.g. for anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions) can cost just over $100, including a beautiful mat, frame, and shipping. Larger works, particularly those done on stretched canvas, can cost several hundred. However, when you consider that the work you receive will be one-of-a-kind, personal, and created based on your instructions, the value you get is exceptional.
You will be hard-pressed to come across anything that will fit your needs as perfectly in a gallery or department store for a lower price. Please see our pricing page for complete prices.
8. What payment methods do you accept?
Pictoart accepts online payment via credit card or through PayPal, a highly secure and trusted payment processor with over 100 million accounts (see www.paypal.com for more information). All payments sent electronically through PayPal are securely transmitted using PayPal's technology. Pictoart does not have access to view bank account or credit card numbers, or any other information you may provide to PayPal to complete the purchase.
In order to provide our customers with immediate, hassle-free refunds, and to keep our overhead and thus our prices low, we cannot accept personal checks or other forms of payment.
Pictoart will begin processing orders immediately upon verification that full payment has been received.
Any refund due shall be made by crediting the account (e.g. credit card) used to complete the transaction.
9. What kind of images work best?
This depends on a zillion factors, not least of which is what you hope to have in the final work of art. If you want a portrait-type work, then providing a photograph which shows the subject clearly is obviously important. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- If you are submitting a digital photograph, the image should be high-resolution. 180 dpi (dots per inch) is a good minimum. Images that are 1,024x768 pixels will work fine for most artwork. 2,0248x1,536 pixels is ideal. Larger or smaller sizes will typically still work though, depending on what style of work you want and how large you want the final to be.
- Images should be a high-quality jpeg (.jpg) file. This is a good way to keep quality high but the size of the file small. We can accept most any other type of file (including GIF, TIFF, PNG, and 16 bit RAW files).
- Files uploaded to Pictoart cannot exceed 5Mb. You can try to compress (zip) a file to get it's size under 5Mb. If the file must be larger than 5Mb (e.g. for large prints done in a photographic style), you may send the image to us on a CD, or we can instruct you how to FTP us the file.
- If the finished work is to be of a person, be sure that the subject in the photo is dressed appropriately, is unobstructed, and important features are not cut off.
- If the finished work is to be of a person, be sure the eyes (windows to the soul) are clearly visible and detailed.
- Be sure images are well-lit, so that the main subject is easily distinguishable from the background.
- Be sure the image is not blurry.
- You may also choose to mail us a printed photograph, slide, or photographic negative if you do not have a digital copy. We will return anything you mail to us unaltered along with your final artwork.
If we do not think that we can produce a high quality final work of art from the image you provide, we will let you know and you can obtain a full refund.
For ideas on subject matter, please see the Great Ideas page.
You must have the right to upload any image that you send, and all derived works that Pictoart creates shall become the property of Pictoart. See our Terms and Conditions for details.
10. How many photos can I submit?
The upload page will allow you to submit up to five images. However, if your order requires that you provide more than five images, the best way to do this is to place them all into a single .zip file and upload that. Even if you don't think the final artwork should require elements from multiple photographs, you may submit more than one photo if you have several of the same subject. That way, we can choose the one that works best artistically or pull details from different photos. You will not be able to upload a single file larger than 5Mb, so if you do not know how to make your image smaller, we can help you.
Unlike many of our competitors, we do not charge you based on the number of pictures you submit or the number of elements from multiple photos that you wish to include in your final work of art.
11. Can you alter poses, change clothing, or add details?
In general, no. For example, if you would like two people from two different photographs placed together in a single portrait, the two people should be posed and dressed such that they will look "natural" when placed together. We cannot use a photo sideview of a person and then sketch or paint them looking forward. We cannot take a photo of someone in a T-shirt and show them in a suit and tie in the final artwork. If we only have a photo of a person's head and shoulders, we cannot paint them standing next to a tree and visible from head to toe.
What we can do is change colors of clothing (make a red shirt blue), remove skin blemishes (such as acne), remove logos or designs from clothing, whiten teeth, remove red-eye, and we can even perform minor "plastic surgery" such as lifting breasts or reducing love-handles. We can also usually change backgrounds (e.g. place the subject on a beach or among flowers).
We can almost always remove something. We can sometimes add. If you would like to submit photos and ask us whether something is within our capabilities, please feel free to contact us.
12. What if I do not have digital versions of my photograph(s)?
You have a couple options. First, you can simply mail us the printed photo(s) that you have. We can also work with slides and negatives. However, mailing your only copy of a cherished photograph may not be something you are comfortable doing. Mail sometimes gets lost, crumpled, or dropped in muddy puddles. Therefore, the second option is that you can scan the image if you have a scanner of decent quality, or take the photo to a copy shop or a place that provides prints of digital images. These places typically also provide scanning services. Scan your images at 300 dpi (dots per inch). Save them as high-quality JPEG (.jpg) files. You can then upload or email us these files, or copy them on to a CD and mail the CD to us here.
13. Do you offer framing?
We offer matting and framing for many standard sizes of artwork done on artist paper. We do not currently provide framing for works done on stretched canvas or for large/non-standard sizes. We offer a small selection of frame styles. We offer framing as a convenience to our customers, it is certainly not required with your order.
14. Do you offer canvas stretching?
Yes. You can get your artwork on unstretched, standard stretched, or gallery wrapped canvas.
- Unstretched Canvas. If you choose unstretched canvas, your artwork will arrive to you on a loose sheet of rolled canvas. You should choose this option if you wish to stretch the canvas yourself (particularly to reduce the cost of shipping), if you plan to apply the canvas directly to another surface (such as a wall if your artwork will be a mural), or if you wish to mat and frame the canvas behind glass. The artwork will have at least 2" of blank canvas margin all around so that you can have the artwork stretched if you wish.
- Standard Stretched Canvas. If you choose regular stretched canvas, your artwork will be stretched on 3/4" deep, kiln-dried, knot-free, pine stretcher strips. You should choose this option if you intend to have the stretched canvas framed before being displayed. This is the option that most customers choose when ordering artwork on canvas.
- Gallery Wrapped Canvas. If you choose gallery wrapped canvas, your artwork will be stretched on 1-1/2" deep, kiln-dried, knot-free, pine stretcher strips. The canvas is stapled on the back of the stretcher bars (rather than on the sides), and the corners are nicely folded. The sides of the stretched canvas match the artwork background. You should choose this option if you intend to hang the artwork on the wall without any frame. This is particularly appropriate for contemporary artwork such as Matrix Pop.
Obviously, shipping a stretched canvas is more expensive than shipping the canvas alone. You may choose the unstretched option and have the canvas stretched yourself. Most framing and craft stores will offer this service. Your unstretched print will include an additional 2" margin of canvas on all sides so that you can have the work stretched yourself.
15. Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes, you may purchase Pictoart gift certificates. Please contact us and we can arrange to email or mail a gift certificate to someone on your behalf.
16. How are works shipped?
All artwork is shipped via USPS Priority Mail, UPS Ground, or FedEx Ground unless otherwise arranged. The cost of shipping includes delivery confirmation and applicable insurance. All works are shipped carefully packed. All framed works and stretched canvases are shipped in flat boxes. Large unframed and unstretched works are rolled and shipped in sturdy mailing tubes. Small unframed and unstretched works are shipped in flat, rigid (cardboard) envelopes.
Shipping and handling fees listed on the pricing page are for destinations within the USA. We ship to Canada for an additional $20 ($10 for unframed art on fine art paper and unstretched canvas) shipping and handling fee. Please note that due to delays associated with Canadian customs inspections, shipments to Canadian destinations may take several weeks. The customer is responsible for any customs charges that may be added by Canadian customs.
If you have an order to be shipped to another destination, we will be glad to quote you shipping charges. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote.
If you would like artwork created for use on brochures, newsletters, or in other printed material, or for use in other mass media (including websites), Pictoart can help. We can provide digital images to you on CD or by direct download. Please contact us to receive a quote.