We aim to assist our clients by providing this easy reference for the most common questions regarding our service and process, however this is not in any way intended to replace our willingness to answer your questions directly by either telephone or email. If you have a question that we haven't covered here please contact us. (To reveal the answer to a question listed below, click on the question and the page will jump to the relevant answer).

David & Julia Noble

1. What type of photograph makes a good etching?
   
   
   
2. Can I get help and advice on making a selection of an image and materials to create a print?
   
   
   
3. Can I talk directly to the person making my print?
   
   
   
4. Can I see a proof before printing?
   
   
   
5. Can I choose papers, inks, print sizes?
   
   
   
6. Can I organise to have my photographer work directly with you?
   
   
   
7. I’d like to give prints as a gift but want them to choose their own image, how can I do this?
   
   
   
8. How much does it cost?
   
   
   
9. How long does it take?
   
   
   
10. When do I pay?
    
    
    
11. If I have more than 1 print of the same image does it cost less?
    
    
    
12. How can I pay?
    
    
    
13. I don’t have the negative, can you make a print from a photograph?
    
    
    
14. My photograph is damaged can it be used?
    
    
    
15. What colour of inks are available?
    
    
    
16. Can you make my print in full colour?
    
    
    
17. What is spot colour and how can it apply to my print?
    
    
    
18. Can I order my prints in different sizes?
    
    
    
19. Is there a certificate of authenticity with my print?
    
    
    
20. Can you supply my etching ready framed?
    
    
    
21. My photograph is not one of your standard sizes, can it be printed?
    
    
    
22. Do I need to mount my print behind glass?
    
    
    
23. Can you make an etching from another piece of art?
    
    
    
24. Will you view my photograph and tell me if it is worth printing?
    
    
    
25. My photograph was taken by a photographer, do I need to get their permission to reproduce it?
    
    
    
26. Can I obtain paper & ink samples?
    
    
    
27. Can I create a Limited Edition of my photographs?
    
    
    
28. Can you alter my photograph, remove items or change backgrounds before printing?
    
    
    
29. Can I buy the etch plate after the print has been made?
    
    
    
30. Can I have my prints faster than you normal delivery time?
    
    
    
31. Can I send digital files to you be email?
    
    
    
32. What is File Transfer Protocol - FTP?
    
    
    
33. I have a digital file, how can I tell if you can make a print from it?
    
    
    

1. What type of photograph makes a good etching?
   A: Best results are with simple images, those that work well as monochrome photographs. our advice is always to print an image that you have an emotional connection with.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Can I get help and advice on making a selection of an image and materials to create a print?
   A: Yes, assistance is available in many forms. We supply a number of step by step guides along with easy-to-use order forms, details and downloads are available on our web site.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Can I talk directly to the person making my print?
   A: Yes, all of the work is undertaken in our own studio and you can talk directly to the print maker.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Can I see a proof before printing?
   A: Yes. We offer a full proofing service to all of our clients and we are happy to provide a proof for approval prior to printing. An additional charge is made for this service.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Can I choose papers, inks, print sizes?
   A: Yes. You can choose from our standard ranges of papers, inks and sizes or create an entirely bespoke product from our full range of papers and inks.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Can I organise to have my photographer work directly with you?
   A: Yes, much of our work is with photographers and we are happy to work with you or your photographer.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. I’d like to give prints as a gift but want them to choose their own image, how can I do this?
   A: We offer a gift voucher service to suit your exact requirements. The voucher itself is a high quality etched piece presented and packaged as a premium gift. Please contact us for details.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. How much does it cost?
   A: Our standard prices are shown on our order form, download from our web site, and our on-line shop. We provide quotations on our bespoke product or on request.
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. How long does it take?
   A: Usually around 2 weeks from order, we do give a confirmed date after order to ensure you know when to expect the print.
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. When do I pay?
    A: For orders from our standard ranges payment is with the order please. For bespoke orders we take a deposit at the time of order and the balance when the print is ready for despatch.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. If I have more than 1 print of the same image does it cost less?
    A: Yes, we discount serialised prints of the same image. We offer various packages, in particular for ordering 3 off prints of the same image. details on our web site, order form or contact us for more information.
    
    
    
    
    
    
12. How can I pay?
    A: By cheque, credit card over the telephone, or online via our shop.
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. I don’t have the negative, can you make a print from a photograph?
    A: Yes. We will scan directly from your photograph at no extra charge up to approx A3 paper size.
    
    
    
    
    
    
14. My photograph is damaged can it be used?
    A: We can often repair or re-work a photograph to create a good image. We are able to work on the image both digitally and mechanically: directly on the etched plate. This enables often very badly damaged images to be recovered.
    
    
    
    
    
    
15. What colour of inks are available?
    A: The potential is limitless for colour. We offer around 24 as a norm and will mix inks to a specific colour on request. See details on our web site or our sample pack.
    
    
    
    
    
    
16. Can you make my print in full colour?
    A: Yes. We offer a full colour printing service if required, the cost of this tends to be prohibitive to most and is often restricted to very special requirements.
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. What is spot colour and how can it apply to my print?
    A: Our preferred technique for adding colour is as an enhancement. We do this by selecting particular areas, often highlights, and add a low saturation or tone of colour. This technique can be very effective in adding another dimension to an image.
    
    
    
    
    
    
18. Can I order my prints in different sizes?
    A: Yes. We often have requests for the same image at different sizes, we would be happy to quote a price in these circumstances.
    
    
    
    
    
    
19. Is there a certificate of authenticity with my print?
    A: Yes, we provide a certificate of provenance as an original etched print.
    
    
    
    
    
    
20. Can you supply my etching ready framed?
    A: Yes, we offer 3 ranges of frame from stock and hand made to order. We are happy to provide details and a quotation for supply of a complete print including frame. Our framing prices are very competitive.
    
    
    
    
    
    
21. My photograph is not one of your standard sizes, can it be printed?
    A: Yes. We offer standard sizes as a guide for pricing though we produce all sizes of plate and print up to 30” x 50”.
    
    
    
    
    
    
22. Do I need to mount my print behind glass?
    A: We recommend that the print is always behind glass when on view. All papers are affected by the local environment and though we choose our papers and inks to ensure longevity this will not prevent degradation if exposed to direct sunlight.
    
    
    
    
    
    
23. Can you make an etching from another piece of art?
    A: Yes. We re-produce many paintings and drawings as etchings. Line drawings work especially well or pieces of art that rely on form, tone, shape or texture.
    
    
    
    
    
    
24. Will you view my photograph and tell me if it is worth printing?
    A: Yes, we will not commence work on any image unless we feel that the original is of a good enough quality to make a good print. We are happy to inspect and advise.
    
    
    
    
    
    
25. My photograph was taken by a photographer, do I need to get their permission to reproduce it?
    A: Yes, unless you have already obtained the copyright to the image. The photographer automatically owns the right to the image, most are happy to accomodate requests for permission to reproduce.
    
    
    
    
    
    
26. Can I obtain paper & ink samples?
    A: Yes, we offer a standard pack of paper and ink samples as part of our bespoke service. We charge £10 for the pack to cover the costs of production. If you order a bespoke print the charge is refunded. Individual samples of standard papers and inks are available on request.
    
    
    
    
    
    
27. Can I create a Limited Edition of my photographs?
    A: Yes. Much of our work is in editioning for artists including photographers. We offer a full proofing service to allow the artist full control in creating and approving the piece prior to printing.
    
    
    
    
    
    
28. Can you alter my photograph, remove items or change backgrounds before printing?
    A: Yes, substantial modifications can be undertaken with great success. The etching techniques used ensure a high level of control and tolerance, so significant changes can be made without becoming obvious in the end print.
    
    
    
    
    
    
29. Can I buy the etch plate after the print has been made?
    A: Yes, we are willing to sell the etched plate. This is available as a bare plate or inked and laquered, this allows the polished copper surface to maintain it’s shine.
    
    
    
    
    
    
30. Can I have my prints faster than you normal delivery time?
    A: Yes. Generally we have the capacity to fast-track a particualr piece if required in excepional circumstances. An additional charge is applied to cover the particular requirements of processing a single piece in a reduced time.
    
    
    
    
    
    
31. Can I send digital files to you be email?
    A:Up to 2Mb only. larger files can be uploaded by using our FTP. File Transfer Protocol facility.
    
    
    
    
    
    
32. What is File Transfer Protocol - FTP?
    A: This is a system allowing large digital files to be uploaded to us, ensuring easy and speedy transmission.
    
    
    
    
    
    
33. I have a digital file, how can I tell if you can make a print from it?
    A: We can make good images from seemingly small or low resolution originals. As a guide, we can usually make a good 10” x 12” print from the largest/finest file setting on a 4MegaPixel camera. We will not start to make a print from a file of poor quality without consulting our customer.