Frequently Asked Questions

How do I upload a photo?

To upload a photo, click the "browse" button on the blue upload bar at the top of the homepage or wherever it appears on this site. You will be directed to your computer's folders. Go to the folder where you store your photos and double-click on the file you would like to select. Then click on the "Upload" button and your photo will begin uploading to our live preview system.

During the upload process, you should see a graphic illustrating the progress of your photo upload. It may take up to a minute or two to upload your photo depending on your connection speed and the size of your file.

Once your photo is uploaded you will see it on the screen in our editing tool.

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How do I transfer a physical photo?

If you are starting with a physical photograph and have a scanner then please scan your image, save it as a JPEG, and upload as normal in the blue upload bar. The final print quality cannot exceed the quality of the photo used but if you scan at a high resolution and decent size (2000 x 3000 pixels or thereabouts would be ideal) then the results will be as good.

If you have no scanner or are using old film and slides then send the photo then we will scan it and send a low quality JPEG so you can upload and order as normal with it - we keep the high quality version on file and send the photo back. Customers are entitled to one free scan per print ordered or for every photo in a montage.

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How do I get the photo from my camera to the computer?

Most digital cameras are sold with a connecting cable and software enabling you to automatically extract the photos from your camera. Typically, the images are then saved to "My Pictures" folder (PC) or "Pictures" folder (Mac). We cannot accept memory cards by post.

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What is the best file format to use for uploading my image?

Currently we only accept uploads in JPG format though we accept most formats on disk or e-mail.

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What is the recommended resolution of the photo I upload?

For enlargements to A3 size or above we prefer images that are at least 700KB pixels in original size though it depends a little on the subject – abstracts require less quality than still life.

The resolution quality from most modern digital cameras is extremely suitable for digital reproduction. However, for best results, we recommend using a good camera that is at least 4 mega pixels and an image that is at least 700kb in size unless it is for Opie effect or a Classic Montage when smaller files are ok. Photo art produced from images that are originally 1.5 megabytes or larger look extremely good enlarged. Our ordering system allows you to crop digital photos and for best results choose as large a crop as you can, especially so on smaller files. It is better to retake the photo closer in than crop it.

You can check your photo’s file size by right-clicking on the image, then selecting Properties, where the size will be displayed. You can also e-mail it to us at info@fruit-art.co.uk for a free professional image check.

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Will my photo look blocky or blurred once enlarged?

If the photo is of a decent resolution as recommended above and sharp then it will not. If you simply zoom in to low quality digital photos they can become blocky as they are made up of blocks (“pixels”). Our enlargement algorithms are different because they intelligently create new pixels instead of making the existing ones larger producing smoother results. Once an image is enlarged we can sharpen or soften the image slightly as may be necessary to enhance the finish, either manually in certain problem areas or overall. These effects are very clever and always applied by an imaging professional on a case by case basis. You rarely get this level of care elsewhere.

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What if my photo has red-eye or other faults, e.g. a colour cast?

We will remove red-eye prior to printing as a matter of course and any other obvious blemishes where we see them. We can remove date stamps free of charge too. We try to ensure that your picture is printed with optimal contrast and natural colour unless either instructed otherwise, you are a professional/trade customer doing your own edits, or it seems probable you are going for a certain deliberate effect. You can use the additional instructions part of our order process to give specific guidance or highlight concerns e.g. if you want us to leave your photo completely alone for print. While in the absence of instruction we may attempt to enhance and optimise your photo, we do this free of charge and results are by nature subjective. We can promise to do no more than remove red-eye and print the file as it is sent unless we deem it in need of optimization - this is the principal nature of the high value service we offer. Monitor colours also vary greatly so like any printer cannot offer a colour critical service and our online prices do not charge for this.

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Will my print be the same colour as it is on screen?

This can never be guaranteed as all monitors vary but our monitors are professional grade and set-up to best predict the image you see at home and follow universal values (sRGB colour profiling). Most modern digital photos will already have this colour profile preset or an Adobe 1998 colour profile which we can also work to. Each of the media we use is professionally colour profiled to match the on screen colour as much as is possible between a bright backlit monitor and a paper print. We also test every new roll that we use to ensure it is acid-free and will not yellow over time.

We can send you a colour proof of your image on paper or canvas for a small charge of £2 recoverable against your following order. You must e-mail us the image for this service and we will call you to take payment.

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Can I use a professional photograph?

Yes, although as part of the Terms and Conditions we require all customers to confirm that they have permission to reprint any images they provide.

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How long will my image be stored?

If you order an image, we will store your image file for a maximum of 12 weeks. After this period, we will delete your file. Any files that you upload that you do not order will be held for a maximum of 1 week.

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How much does shipping cost?

See our delivery rates.

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What is your return policy?

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions

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How long will it take to receive my Photo Art?

Delivery estimates are given at the time of ordering and we update these according to time of year and demand/workload. It is normal to allow 3-10 working days for delivery of any item. For photos with effects or photo montages please allow 1-5 working days for your artwork to be prepared and check your e-mail and junk folders regularly. If you approve promptly we can usually still deliver within 10 working days in total. If you have an urgent need for delivery within 1 to 5 days then contact us to see if we can help – as the manufacturer we usually can prioritise.

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Will my final print or frame be the same as the image I see online?

Virtually all products will have exactly the same scale and proportion as presented on screen. Occasionally there may be some variation due to the production processes involved; for example, with the wrap effect on canvas, or the mounting process on perspex. In these cases, it is best not to crop right to the edge of your image as we can then use the spare for the wrap or "bleed". However, we always endeavour to make the finished product as accurate and as attractive as possible.

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Do you supply to trade accounts?

Yes, we supply photo to art software solutions and physical products for trade accounts. Please contact us for our latest prices or for further information. info@fruit-art.co.uk

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Can I have any other sizes than those on the live preview?

Although you can only order those sizes online we are happy to help where we can with unique sizes upon request. Our printers are 110 cm wide so we cannot print wider than this and canvases have a maximum width of 1 metre, as does Perspex. Lengths are unlimited within reason. Frames can be wider than 110cm but the image within them cannot.

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Can you tile one photo across several canvases?

Absolutely and we also offer live previewing online of this effect! The standard options available are enough for most needs but if you have a different arrangement in mind contact us and we will provide a quote.

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Will my print fade?

We always use genuine HP Vivera inks that are fade resistant for up to 200 years and especially so when framed under glass or heat-sealed like our canvas and MDF prints. Some commercially available prints from other companies use cheaper dye inks that can fade within months anywhere. For maximum longevity it is still best to avoid direct sunlight, as with any print or painting. In normal indoor conditions all of our prints should last for a very long time indeed.

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How should I care for my canvas?

The satin matt heat-seal applied as standard makes them scuff and moisture resistant to a very high degree. They can be wiped clean with water and a damp cloth if necessary but a light dust will normally suffice. All our canvas frames are kiln-dried to make them highly anti-warp, but hanging them directly above a radiator or in damp environments will increase the chance that they may warp and are best avoided for long term use (kitchens and bathrooms that are well ventilated should be no problem in their expected life).

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How should I hang my canvas?

They come fitted with special patented hangers for use with standard strong picture hooks. If hanging in a public place you may wish to use anchor plates instead for the most secure fitting.

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How do I hang my Perspex?

They come with 4 panel fixings supplied. Typically you need to screw each panel fixing barrel into the wall using a wall plug available from all DIY stores and a suitable size screw that goes through the base of the fixing. The best thing is to get someone to hold the print level against the wall while you carefully mark out the positions and then remove before drilling the holes, ensuring there are no electric wires in the wall where you want to drill. There is a small amount of tolerance on the holes in the Perspex to allow for slight leeway in your measurements or drilling but be as precise as you can. With the panel fixing barrels screwed in place you can offer up the Perspex and then start screwing the covers through the holes in the Perspex until tight.

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Can the delivery address be different to the cardholder’s address?

Yes. It will often be easier for those who work to have large pictures delivered to their work address or to a neighbour as they are by courier delivering between 9am and 5.30 pm and require a signature. Posters and Mini Canvas when ordered by themselves are normally sent by Royal Mail as they are a much easier size to pick up from the Post Office if you are out and due to their lower value and robustness they do not need the care or security of a courier.

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