IMAGES


What kind of image works here?
What is Resolution?
Resolution guidelines.
What “file formats” we can use?
What is “cropping”?
Product Options – what are they?
What if I want more than one image on my item?
How does the image get into the fabrics?
Will the item match my image?
Can I add text?
How do I clean it?

What kind of image works here?
Rules: High-resolution images in good, clear focus with good contrast between the main subject and the background work the best. If you are a light-skinned person or a light colored flower/item on a background of white sand, snow, a sunlit window, etc. you may not like the result, same if you are in the shadows or darker skinned with a dark background, the results maybe less than what you expect.

Digital images taken with a 3 megapixels or higher cameras will usually work if our provided rules are followed. For uploading choose a .jpeg, .gif, .bmp, .tiff, or .png file that is between 900K and 3 megs for best results.

Please keep product formats in mind when selecting an image. Throw pillows and shower curtains are square and other items, such as some duvets, can be seen as such since the dimensions for the height and width are within several inches of each other. We may crop your image so it fits the product but you should keep the shape in mind when selecting an image to upload. For more specific guidelines please see “Resolution Guidelines”


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What is Resolution?
Resolution is a measurement of a digital image file. This tends to have a quick reference to image quality, but not always. You see, digital images are composed of thousands of tiny “dots” called pixels. The more pixels the greater amount of detail defined. If they come from a big block of one detail, such as a “phone” photo, the image will not be as sharp or as quality as a good camera, even if you use special software to make it a large file size or “add resolution”. Imagine a sidewalk square; even if you carve the square into 100 little squares, you still have one big area of cement. In a nutshell, NO PHONE PICTURES – they usually are not high enough quality to use on your product.

To determine the resolution of your image, just move your pointer onto the image, then right click. A menu box will appear with “Properties” as a selection. Left click that tab and the summery of data for that image will appear. You should see the width and height in pixels. See Resolution Guidelines below.


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Resolution guidelines.
The MINIMUM resolution or pixel count for your product(s) are listed below. Remember, these are MINIMUMS. These are listed as width by height or WxH.

Throw Pillow - 500 x 500
Pillow Sham - 750 x 500
Throw Blanket, Wall Hanging - 1200 x 900
Bedspread, Duvet, Comforter - 1300 x 1300
Curtain Panels, Shower Curtain - 1300 x 1300
Table runners - 1000 x 325
Placemats - 750 x 500

Keep in mind that these are MINIMUMs and as such they will result in the least quality products. Imagine the difference between newspaper and fine magazine printing. You must provide more than the minimum if cropping is needed for your image. Absolute minimum is 900KB. Anything over 5 Meg may be rejected by the upload utility. Remember that today’s cameras have settings to allow for medium or high resolution and will give you just what you need.

If you have further questions please feel free to email us with your questions and supply us with your image. We will evaluate it and inform you of your options at no cost to you.


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What “file formats” we can use?
File formats such as .tiff, .jpeg, .gif, .bmp, or .png are acceptable to our upload utility. We cannot accept RAW formats or PDFs. If this all you have available, please contact us so we can work out a solution for you.


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What is “cropping”?
Cropping is changing the shape of the image to fit the product. We reserve the right to crop your image as we deem necessary to work with the product so that you will be happy with the final look. We will contact you via email with a link to view the options for your approval. This will be through http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=404574804 which will allow communication between you and us.


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Product Options – what are they?
Images - You can upload your own image to be used on the product, or you can choose one from our large selection of artwork images.

Add Text - You may add black or white text, up to 50 characters, for free. Our photo techs will size and position it for you BUT you must check your own spelling carefully. We will print the text exactly as you supply it. If you want to control of the size, position, and/or a color of the text (other than black or white), this is a customization and subject to a fee. However, you can go to Splashup.com and do this yourself for free.

Adding Borders - Adding borders can be done for free. We offer two different thicknesses of borders, 3 inches wide or 4 inches wide. In the options for your image you have the ability to pick which thickness and a selector for color. Again this option is offered at no charge.


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What if I want more than one image on my item?
Most of our products have multiple image options, which we lovingly call “templates”. Instructions on how to use the templates are included within each product selection. Please email us with questions so we can help improve the system.

Click  here  for further information

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How does the image get into the fabrics?
The process is called Dye Sublimation and it goes like this: Your image file is printed to size on a special transfer paper, then it is matched up with the 100% polyester fabric, and finally, passed together around a very hot drum press. The heat vaporizes the ink so that the vapor is bonded into the fabric fibers where they become one. This is not a coating or a weaving, the image actually becomes part of the fabric fibers making a permanent, and extremely durable image. This process does not change the feel of the fabric nor will the image peal, crack, or fade away. The fabrics we use are washable and the image quality can last through 100 or more washings.


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Will the item match my image?
The quality and detail of this process is amazing, but sadly no, the product will probably not actually match what you see on your computer. You are viewing the image on an illuminated monitor, where the fabric while beautiful, reflects the light. Please keep in mind that this process is used by some of the foremost fine-art artists and commercial artists in the land. Generally colors will be true, but shades of color may vary from what you see on your monitor. Remember how the different TV screens looked like at the store when they are all side by side? They all showed the same view but were slightly different from one another.


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Can I add text?
You may add black or white text for free. Our photo techs will size and position for you BUT you must check your own spelling carefully. We will print the text exactly as you supply it. If you want to control of the size, position, and/or a color (other than black or white) of the text, this is a customization and subject to a fee. However, you can go to Splashup.com and do this yourself for free.


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How do I clean it?
Since the process is permanent, there are no worries or added expense for dry cleaning. The fabrics we use are washable and each item has a tag with laundry instructions. The image quality can last through 100 or more washings.


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