Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, this information will answer some of your additional questions. If not, please email or call us here.

Just click on one of the questions below to be taken to the info desired.

Why do I need an appointment?

How do I know if I should have Giclée Prints made or not?

What is the first step in having Giclée prints made of my art?

Can I photograph my artwork myself?

Will significant changes be made to my image prior to printing?

Does Creative Heartworks have a guarantee?

How do I protect and care for a Giclée Print?

What exactly will it cost for me to have a Giclée print made of my art?

Can I hand enhance my Giclée Print on canvas?

How do I price my Giclée Print?

Can I have my photographs printed on canvas?

Do you store images for later use and will my images be secure from use or distribution?

What are your payment terms?

Why do I need an appointment?

Creative Heartworks is a home-based business located in Tigard, Oregon. Appointments are required unless we are working with you online.

How do I know if I should have Giclée Prints made or not?

This is a question many artists face, and there is no right or wrong answer. If you aren’t sure, you should at least have your original art digitally captured (photographed or scanned) before it sells so that Giclée prints can be made when the time feels right. Below are some points to consider while trying to decide:

If your art is selling, it makes sense to select some of your most popular pieces and have those made into Giclée prints.
If people love your work but can't afford an original, a fine art Giclée print may provide an affordable solution.
The prepress expense of having Giclée prints made is a onetime cost per original and that may be recovered after the sale of your first or second print.

What is the first step in having Giclée prints made of my art?

First of all, we will need either the original piece of artwork, or a quality digital file of it. We will be happy to set up a consultation with you to explain the process, show you samples of media used, discuss your needs and provide an estimated cost for the work.

Can I photograph my artwork myself?

Normally it is best to have your art professionally photographed. Remember - the final print can only be as good as the original source data.

Will significant changes be made to my image prior to printing?

Other than cropping and color correcting to match the original, no changes are made to the digital file except to correct minor dust spots unless requested by the artist.

Does Creative Heartworks have a guarantee?

Yes, Creative Heartworks is dedicated to complete customer satisfaction and we will work with the artist every step of the way. We have even had some artists with Photo Shop CS3 experience assist during color balance and image manipulation. If we can’t provide a print that you are completely satisfied with, there will be no charge.

How do I protect and care for a Giclée Print?

Giclée prints should be treated as any fine art on paper or canvas. Below are a few recommendations.

Prints on Paper

Always handle prints with clean hands, and to avoid crimps, always use two hands to lift the print.
Never store unprotected prints directly on top of each other. Separate them with acid-free tissue paper.
Prints can be shrink-wrapped in acid-free film or placed in protective sleeves and stored safely until framing.
Humidity is a major problem for art on paper, and therefore, a print on paper should never rest directly on glass. Never hang or store prints in damp basements.
Even though a fine art print has been sprayed with a UV Water Resistant Lacquer, it should never be placed in direct sunlight. All light fades works of art on paper.

Prints on Canvas

To avoid scratching, a canvas print should never be wiped with a cloth or sprayed with any kind of cleaner. Fluids should never be used to clean a canvas print. Dust should be blown off the surface. If necessary, a light feather duster should be used to remove dust build up.
Avoid hanging prints in direct sunlight or any other intense light source. Occasionally rotate framed prints to cut down on the duration of light exposure. Like any work of fine art on paper, a canvas print may be damaged if exposed over time to direct sunlight or marked changes in humidity.
Avoid hanging framed prints directly above working fireplaces or radiators.

What exactly will it cost for me to have a Giclée print made of my art?

Unless you submit your own digital file that has been professionally captured and color corrected elsewhere, your cost to have a Giclée print made will include the following fees:

Fee for Digital Image Capture
One Time Setup or Prepress Fee
Cost of the print on media of choice

Additional services such as stretching your canvas on stretching bars will incur additional fees. If you submit your own digital file, the only fee you will incur is the cost of the print and fees for additional services if added. (Please see our price list.)

Can I hand enhance my Giclée Print on canvas?

Giclée prints can be hand enhanced only if a protective coating has been applied. Creative Heartworks applies one coating of a matte or gloss protective water-based veneer to its prints on canvas. It is best to use acrylic paint to add highlights or texture to your print. If the print has been coated with a gloss finish, you can mix the acrylic paint with a clear acrylic gel that will help match the gloss of the finish. Oil paint is not recommended for hand enhancing Giclée prints unless the print has had more than one coat of the protective veneer to ensure the surface has been completely covered and protected. Oil paint can cause physical deterioration of the print if it penetrates the coating. Once a print has been enhanced, there is no need to add another protective coating.

How do I price my Giclée Print?

Prices for Giclée prints vary from $20 for small prints by unknown artists to thousands of dollars for large prints on canvas by well-known artists. Many things are considered when pricing a print such as: the reputation of the artist, the size of the print, if the print is an open or limited edition, and if the print has been hand enhanced. Generally, we recommend that Giclée prints be priced at 3 to 5 times the cost of the print and/or 25-30% of the price of the original art. In truth, there is no easy answer, but we're happy to make suggestions, and even share our pricing guidelines.

Can I have my photographs printed on canvas?

Having photographs printed on canvas and stretched using a gallery wrap can be a very nice alternative to having photographs printed on paper that have to be matted and framed. The canvas can be a continuation of the image or a solid color. Fine Art Canvas and stretching prices apply. (Please see our price list.)

Do you store images for later use and will my images be secure from use or distribution?

Your images are stored on our hard drive with backup to a separate hard drive. Your images are only accessed by Creative Heartworks for purposes of creating your print. Copyrights belong to artist or photographer of origin and these images will never be used in any form without express written permission of the originator.

What are your payment terms?

Full payment is due at the time of delivery. Creative Heartworks accepts personal checks, cash, Visa and MasterCard.