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FAQ's

General & Letterpress

Q: Where are you?
A: We work from our studio close to the North York Moors, which we encourage our clients to visit if they’d like to see us in operation and have a good cup of Yorkshire tea and a chat.

Q: How long have you been trading and printing?
A: Noble Fine Art has been trading for around 7 years, all in the fine art market. We are award winning artists and printers who have exhibited internationally in solo or group exhibitions over the last 15 years. Our work can be found around the world in private collections, banks, galleries, premier departments stores etc, and with those who prize the artisan and hand made.

Q: Can I obtain samples of your work?
A: Yes, we will provide a single sample free of charge or a complete pack of samples, brochure, ordering support and other information for a nominal cost which is refundable against your order

Q: Do I have to place a minimum order?
A: We have no minimum order value, though very small runs incur relatively high set-up costs per item as much of the cost of printing is our time, and much of this is in set-up which is the same for 1 or 100.

Q: How do I place an Order?
A: We always provide a full quotation for every project, which is our starting point to ensure clarity for you and us. We then create your stationery as proofs, electronic and paper, until you’re ready to approve for print. When we receive your approval and a 50% deposit we will commence the print process and confirm a delivery date.

Q: Can I see my design before it’s printed?
A: We have a very comprehensive proofing process to ensure that you have ample opportunity to view and revise your stationery designs. The final stage is presentation of a digitally printed-paper proof for your inspection and approval.

Q: How long does it take from order to receiving my stationery?
A: Our standard lead-time is 6 weeks, however it is often less than this and we will agree and confirm a lead-time with you before starting the work.

Q: I need my stationery quickly, can I get it earlier than your standard lead-time?
A: Yes, we offer an expedited service for an additional charge to ensure delivery within two weeks or receipt of order. This charge covers our time to manage and print your order outside of our normal system.

Q: What are your payment terms?
A: We keep our overheads as low as we can to offer the best possible value, one of the methods we use is good control over our credit. We ask for a 50% non-refundable deposit with order and the balance on readiness for collection or despatch.

Q: What happens if I decide not to proceed?
A: If you decide to proceed prior to approving for print and payment of your deposit there will be no charge. If you cancel after approval and payment and work has commenced, the deposit won’t be refunded or if the work in progress exceeds the value of the deposit there will be a charge to cover our costs.

Q: What should I be checking for on the proofs?
A: Detail is everything with good stationery so we provide a comprehensive checklist with every proof to ensure you are able to review and amend your stationery prior to giving us approval to print.

Q: Can I design my own stationery?
A: Yes, we regularly work with clients or designers in developing a bespoke design, or alternatively you can choose to customise one of our existing products to suit.

Q: Can you print my invites in 2 languages?
A: Yes, we have considerable experience in printing multi-language designs, on the same invitation or separate for each.

Q: Can you print drawings?
A: Yes, much of our stationery is printed with bespoke drawings. We have numerous methods of printing drawings – all using traditional methods. The most popular is letterpress, which produces a wonderful effect with line drawings. We offer this as one of our standard options, on our Options & Decorations page.

Q: Can I use a drawing I have commissioned from you on future stationery?
A: Yes, we’re happy to print all of your stationery using your commissioned drawing or motif. The charge to create is a one off and we re-size to fit each item where appropriate.

Q: Do I have to order all my stationery at the same time?
A: No, we usually print client’s stationery in batches of particular items, often three lots from Save the Dates to completion.

Q: What is Letterpress?
A: Letterpress is a manual printing method that’s been around for more than 500yrs and remains the best way to print text. Traditional letterpress uses moveable type, made of lead or wood, more contemporary techniques use relief plates made from copper, magnesium and polymer.

Q: If it’s so good why are there so few Letterpress printers?
A: Good letterpress work is built detail by detail and is concentrated on the quality not quantity of output. This usually means it takes longer, and offers less profit, which is only appealing if you really enjoy the method.

Q: What’s so different about Letterpress?
A: Modern letterpress makes a slight impression in the paper with each character, this sharpness and a three dimensional quality ensures that it looks and feels like only letterpress can.

Q: Is Letterpress expensive?
A: Like all premium products you can find letterpress work at very high prices indeed. But for short print runs there is no reason why letterpress should be much more expensive than more printing methods of today like Litho or Digital.

Q: Why is Letterpress printing better than other printing?
A: Letterpress printing is in our opinion the finest way to print type on beautiful paper, it has been used for more than 500 years for good reason and was superseded by Litho’ printing in the pursuit for speed and reduced cost. Digital printing is a relatively new printing method which along with Litho offers full colour “flat” printing which though cheap has little if any of the character, look and feel of quality that good quality stationery demands.

Q: Why is digital printing cheaper than Letterpress printing?
A: Digital printing is the cheapest form of short run printing due to low set-up time with lower cost materials and consumables. We don’t offer a full digital printing service, but do print Information Cards, Order of Service inners, Seating Plans etc digitally.

Q: Can you print images in Letterpress?
A: Yes, we regularly print photographic and line imagery using letterpress. Photographs have a great retro’ look and feel about them, line drawings are beautifully sharp and tactile.

Q: Can I choose my own paper type?
A: Yes, we have a wide range of papers we use, ranging from hand to mould made, textured to smooth, all are a joy to look at and feel.

Q: I’d like something special, do you offer a bespoke design service?
A: Yes, we enjoy this type of work greatly, allowing us to get to grips with a complete concept from start to finish. This is where we feel our best work lies.

Q: Can I send you files for you to print?
A: Yes, we work as artisan printers for graphic designers, publishers, stationery and greetings card makers etc. We offer short runs at very competitive prices and are always happy to look at demanding commissions in particular. Please ask for more information.

Q: How do I know what I’ll receive?
A: We provide an excellent package of samples. We are very thorough and patient in our proofing to ensure you get no surprises. We’re very particular about the quality and integrity of our work from start to finish.

Q: Is all the work done in house?
A: Yes, we undertake all our work in our studio. We take pride in being able to craft a product throughout, from design to finishing. This gives us complete control over quality, timing and our ability to ensure customer satisfaction.

Q: Can I visit your studio to see how it’s all done?
A: Yes, we welcome visitors to our studio, just call to arrange an appointment prior to visiting.

Q: Do you do other types of Letterpress services?
A: Yes, we offer business and social stationery all printed letterpress. Our products include the more basic items like compliment slips and business cards to event invitations, bookwork, maps, family trees etc.

Q: What colours of ink can I have?
A: We offer a broad range of standard ink colours to allow you to choose exactly the colour to suit your theme or design. You’ll find our standard colours on the Options & Decorations page.

Q: The colour ink I want isn’t on your list, can you get it?
A: We can mix inks to suit a colour reference or swatch, for example mix an ink to match a textile colour.

Q: What colour ribbon can I have?
A: We offer a broad range of standard ribbon colours to allow you to choose exactly the colour to suit your theme or design. You’ll find our standard colours on the Options & Decorations page.

Q: The colour ribbon I want isn’t on your list, can you get it?
A: We always strive to meet our client’s requirements and we’re frequently asked to find the best match for a ribbon colour.

Q: What type of paper can I choose?
A: Each product has a standard stock chosen to enhance the design or format, these stocks can be changed to meet your requirements. We use only the best quality materials available, and stock choice is the most fundamental to the look and feel of your stationery. From our standard to hand made stocks you’ll fine our main options on the Options & Decorations page. We do try and source our stocks from the UK to buy British and look after the environment.

Q: There is a particular paper I want, can you get this for me?
A: Yes, we can generally source paper stocks to suit a particular requirement.

Q: Are your products recyclable, or do you offer this as a stock choice?
A: We can provide a selection of recycled stocks if you’d prefer to use this design option, our Secret Garden range is made from white waste paper and is designed to biodegrade when planted.

Q: Are envelopes included?
A: Yes we always price including envelopes for appropriate items of stationery. Some products allow you to make a choice of envelope type.

Q: Do you offer lined envelopes?
A: Yes we offer a bespoke envelope lining to complement each of our designs.

Q: Can you print names & addresses on the envelopes?
A: Yes, we routinely print or foil bride & groom names on envelopes, typically on the flap.

Q: What are the fonts I can choose from?
A: We have a substantial library of fonts that are available for your selection, some of which are shown on the Options & Decorations page, we can obtain specific fonts on request if you have a specific type you like.

Q: Do you offer Calligraphy?
A: Yes we offer a full calligraphy service in house. Choosing our service means that you don’t have to worry about ordering extra in case of errors while being hand-written – it’s our responsibility to get it right. From invitation names, envelopes, place cards, marriage declarations and invitations we offer premium quality calligraphy.

Etchings

Q: What do you mean by a Photo-Etching?
A: We etch a photographic image into a printing plate, apply ink and print by hand on top quality papers. The process is technically known as photogravure. Gravure was developed in the 1850’s and was the premier method of printing photographic images, as it remains today when practiced with care and skill.

Q: What does a photo-etching look like?
A: To print an etching the plate is pressed into the paper by running through a hand operated etching press. This pushes the plate into the paper leaving a very distinctive plate mark around the image, at the same time the ink on the plate transfers to the paper. So you can see and feel both the plate mark and the ink on the paper.

Q: What makes a photo-etching so special?
A: The method combines the image, inks and papers in a unique way, producing a result, which is completely different from normal photographic prints. The print appears more human and has a much greater connection with the viewer.

Q: Do you have an ordering guide to help me?
A: Yes, you can download and print our Ordering Guide. We’ve developed the guide to assist you in choosing the best image for etching, it also contains advice on papers, inks and framing and ordering. You’ll find a link to the guide on our photo-etching page.

Q: What do I need to give you to make an etching?
A: We work from digital files, original photographs, negatives and slides. We create a master image on film from these to create the plate for printing.

Q: What type of digital file do I need to supply?
A: Most modern digital cameras, when set on maximum file size, will give a jpeg file which is suitable for a photo-etching at the smaller sizes we offer, up to 10in x 14in.

Q: How do I supply you the digital file?
A: You can upload your file, send it by email if it’s smaller than 10Mb, or send it on cd if you’d prefer. If you order via our on-line shop you are given advise on file supply as part of the process. Postal details are on our Contact Page or Ordering Guide.

Q: Can I have more than one print of the image?
A: Yes, and each print will be very subtly different; no two prints can ever be identical, as a consequence of the hand made nature of the work.

Q: What size can my print be?
A: We offer two standard sizes, up to 8in x 10in and up to 10in x 14in. We do however print up to 24in x 48in if required.

Q: Can I choose paper and ink?
A: Yes, we offer two standard papers and inks. A Hahnemuhle White and a Somerset Soft White paper, a Sepia and a Black ink. We have a much wider selection for bespoke work.

Q: How much does a photo-etching cost?
A: Our standard pricing is on our on-line shop. If you require other sizes or bespoke papers, inks we are very happy to provide a quotation.

Q: Do I need to visit your studio?
A: No, most of our work is accomplished by telephone and internet. Of course our clients are welcome to visit, but it’s not usually necessary.

Q: How long will my etching last?
A: With care your etching will last as long as a Rembrandt etching. We use acid free paper and the most stable inks available to ensure a proven long life.

Q: Do I need to have a professionally taken photograph for my commission?
A: In general, most images we receive from digital cameras are suitable; there are some exceptions where a very specific project demands a particular style of image.

Q: Do I need a high specification camera if I take my own image?
A: In general no, most modern digital cameras are capable of providing a digital file that is suitable for our use.

Q: My images are in colour, is this a problem?
A: No, we frequently start from a colour image.

Q: I have an old photograph that I’d like to have printed as an etching, is this possible?
A: Yes, we often print from old photographs or glass plate negatives, these are usually very successful as prints.

Q: I have an old document; can this be made into an etching?
A: Yes, we print documents as etchings or letterpress including any graphic elements also.

Q: Do you offer a framing service for photo-etchings?
A: Yes, we offer several framing options specifically developed for our unique products.