FAQs
What does the painting/print size actually mean?
My artworks are sized to suit ready-made frames available online or in a retail shop. On the rare occasion that an artwork is a custom size, the words 'non standard size' will be listed in the artwork description.
In Australia, UK and Europe standard measurements are usually in centimetres and in the 'A series' of sizes, ie A4, A3, A2, A1, A0. In the USA and Canada standard sizes are usually in inches. Some frame retailers cater for both. (In the list of online retailers below, I've tried to include suggestions for online framers in the USA and Canada who say they stock 'A' series frames).
All sizes mentioned for my artworks, whether Original Watercolours or Limited Edition Prints are the required frame size.
If you are concerned about purchasing a frame size that fits/is not standard in your country, please check availability with your desired online store or framer before purchase.
What is a mat?
A 'mat' is a piece of matboard, with a hole cut in the middle, to view the artwork, that sits over the painting, acting as a border and 'mounting' the artwork. It overlaps the painting so that the artwork doesn't fall out through the hole.
Apart from helping to display your artwork to its optimum, and looking more professional, the mat keeps an original painting away from the surface of the glass where condensation can occur and damage it.
My artworks are sized to suit ready-made frames available online or in a retail shop. On the rare occasion that an artwork is a custom size, the words 'non standard size' will be listed in the artwork description.
In Australia, UK and Europe standard measurements are usually in centimetres and in the 'A series' of sizes, ie A4, A3, A2, A1, A0. In the USA and Canada standard sizes are usually in inches. Some frame retailers cater for both. (In the list of online retailers below, I've tried to include suggestions for online framers in the USA and Canada who say they stock 'A' series frames).
All sizes mentioned for my artworks, whether Original Watercolours or Limited Edition Prints are the required frame size.
- For example, an A4 print will fit an A4 frame; an 8" x 10" print will fit an 8" x 10" frame.
- Dimensions stated for Original Artworks include the painting itself and the mat (see below for information about mats).
- Prints are not usually matted. Therefore the dimensions are for the print itself. If you want to mount your print you will need to buy a larger frame.
- If an artwork size is in centimetres, look for a frame that is this size, in centimetres. I've converted these sizes to inches too; however, please note, this conversion may be a few millimetres out as different retailers (on Amazon for example) list slightly different conversions for the 'A series' to inches. For example, three different retailers on Amazon list A3 (29.7cm x 42cm) as being: 11.5" x 16.5" ; 11.75" x 16.5" ; 11 3/4 x 16 9/16! Google lists the conversion as being: 11.69" x 16.5".
- If an artwork size is in inches, look for a frame that is this size, in inches.
If you are concerned about purchasing a frame size that fits/is not standard in your country, please check availability with your desired online store or framer before purchase.
What is a mat?
A 'mat' is a piece of matboard, with a hole cut in the middle, to view the artwork, that sits over the painting, acting as a border and 'mounting' the artwork. It overlaps the painting so that the artwork doesn't fall out through the hole.
Apart from helping to display your artwork to its optimum, and looking more professional, the mat keeps an original painting away from the surface of the glass where condensation can occur and damage it.
- Original artworks need to be displayed in the frame matted, to protect them.
- I don't usually supply mats with my original unframed paintings, to enable them to be shipped in a tube, rather than flat (which is cheaper and provides more protection to the painting).
- Framers mat original paintings, as part of the framing process.
- If you are putting your painting in a ready-made frame, some frames come with a mat (check the size so that it doesn't overlap the painting too much). Alternatively, ask a framer to cut you a suitably sized mat for your frame/painting.
- They are removable so that you can re-mat, if you wish with a different colour/shape/size, in case you want to be creative!
- Prints are not usually displayed in a frame matted.
Do you supply your artwork framed?
My artwork is not supplied framed as this is safer for shipping and enables you to choose a frame that suits your individual style and decor.
I recognise that some people may want a framed artwork, particularly if it's to be a gift. If you're able to collect from St Kilda in Melbourne, Australia, I can supply framed artwork; however this is not standard.
In these instances, please contact me and I will let you know the cost of framing and delivery times. I will also charge a cost for time and other costs associated with framing.
All artwork I frame for customers is in a plain black or white wooden or aluminium frame, from Frames Now.
My artwork is not supplied framed as this is safer for shipping and enables you to choose a frame that suits your individual style and decor.
I recognise that some people may want a framed artwork, particularly if it's to be a gift. If you're able to collect from St Kilda in Melbourne, Australia, I can supply framed artwork; however this is not standard.
In these instances, please contact me and I will let you know the cost of framing and delivery times. I will also charge a cost for time and other costs associated with framing.
All artwork I frame for customers is in a plain black or white wooden or aluminium frame, from Frames Now.
Who produces your Limited Edition Prints?
I have all my limited edition prints produced by an expert art printer SMLXL, in Prahran, Melbourne. The standard of their work is exemplary and they know their craft very well. SMLXL Fine Art Print Studio is an artisan giclee printer, crafting exhibition quality digital prints. They print on only the finest archival papers, using a twelve colour managed production process with archival pigment inks. They are also lovely people and wonderful to work with. They advise me excellently, for example recommending the best approach to meeting customer-needs. www.smlxl.com.au
I have all my limited edition prints produced by an expert art printer SMLXL, in Prahran, Melbourne. The standard of their work is exemplary and they know their craft very well. SMLXL Fine Art Print Studio is an artisan giclee printer, crafting exhibition quality digital prints. They print on only the finest archival papers, using a twelve colour managed production process with archival pigment inks. They are also lovely people and wonderful to work with. They advise me excellently, for example recommending the best approach to meeting customer-needs. www.smlxl.com.au
Where do you buy your frames?
I frame my paintings at Frames Now, a specialist artist framing business that started in 1973 and now is Australia's largest picture framing business. I have found their knowledge and customer service excellent, always thinking of the customer, regardless of whether in-store in Prahran, Melbourne or online. They offer custom framing, ready-made frames and repairs. www.framesnow.com.au
I frame my paintings at Frames Now, a specialist artist framing business that started in 1973 and now is Australia's largest picture framing business. I have found their knowledge and customer service excellent, always thinking of the customer, regardless of whether in-store in Prahran, Melbourne or online. They offer custom framing, ready-made frames and repairs. www.framesnow.com.au
Where can I buy online frames to fit my Carin Lavery artwork?
Some people want to simply pop the artwork into a ready-made frame, so I've taken care to size my artwork to fit into standard sized frames, available in Australia, the UK, Europe, the USA and Canada. In the rare instance that an artwork is only available in a size that is not standard, 'non standard' will be stated in the description.
Alternatively, you can take your print to a framer to design a custom frame to suit your creativity!
There are many online stores that stock ready-made frames; I've listed two in various countries, below, to try to help you. (With the exception of Frames Now, in Australia, these are not recommendations).
Whilst I've tried to only include online framers that stock standard-sized frames, stock available can change - and not all stock all frame sizes. For example, ready-made panoramic frames are hard to come by.
If you definitely want to purchase a ready-made frame, please check availability with your desired online store or framer before purchase in case frames are out of stock or have been discontinued.
Details about your Original Watercolour
An Original Watercolour is a one-off painting, making a very special gift. I may reproduce the image in a different way, for example as a Giclée print or a greetings card; however, if you're the owner of the Original Watercolour, you have the only unique, original item.
Details about your Limited Edition Giclée Print
Giclée prints are of superior archival quality, light fastness and stability. They make an affordable, high quality present, or gift for yourself. Limited to a maximum of 50, there will only ever be a maximum of 50 in the world, making them extra special.
I may use the image in a different way at some time in the future, for example for greetings cards; however, when the 50 Giclée prints have been sold, it will not be possible to buy one.
What is a Giclée print and why is the distinction from other prints important?
The Definition: Giclee (zhee-klay) - The French word "giclée" is a feminine noun that means a spray or a spurt of liquid. The word may have been derived from the French verb "gicler" meaning "to squirt".
The Quality: The quality of the giclee print rivals traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes and is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries.
The Market: Numerous examples of giclee prints can be found in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Chelsea Galleries. Recent auctions of giclee prints have fetched $10,800 for Annie Leibovitz, $9,600 for Chuck Close, and $22,800 for Wolfgang Tillmans (April 23/24 2004, Photographs, New York, Phillips de Pury & Company.)
The Term: The term "giclee print" connotes an elevation in printmaking technology. Images are generated from high resolution digital scans and printed with archival quality inks onto various substrates including canvas, fine art, and photo-base paper. The giclee printing process provides better color accuracy than other means of reproduction.
The Advantages: Giclee prints are advantageous to artists who do not find it feasible to mass produce their work, but want to reproduce their art as needed, or on-demand. Once an image is digitally archived, additional reproductions can be made with minimal effort and reasonable cost. The prohibitive up-front cost of mass production for an edition is eliminated. Archived files will not deteriorate in quality as negatives and film inherently do. Another tremendous advantage of giclee printing is that digital images can be reproduced to almost any size and onto various media, giving the artist the ability to customize prints for a specific client.
The Process: Giclee prints are created typically using professional 8-Color to 12-Color ink-jet printers. Among the manufacturers of these printers are vanguards such as Epson, MacDermid Colorspan, & Hewlett-Packard. These modern technology printers are capable of producing incredibly detailed prints for both the fine art and photographic markets. Giclee prints are sometimes referred to as Iris prints, which are 4-Color ink-jet prints from a printer pioneered in the late 1970s by Iris Graphics.
About Digital Pigment Prints
The term "pigment print" is used generally for any type of printed image that uses strictly pigments. Pigment printing processes have been utilized since the middle of the 19th century. The image stability of pigment printing is superior to that of any other method of printing, including traditional silver-halide or metal-based.
Digital inkjet printing has seen a surge in the use of the pigment ink as ink sets have been refined to be compatible with the latest in high-resolution inkjet technology.
Where archival dye-based ink sets exhibit excellent color gamut, pigment inks excel in permanence. A dye is molecularly soluble in its vehicle, but pigment is not. Pigment particles tend to be large enough to embed into the receiving substrate making them water-resistant. The particulate nature of pigment inks ensures their archival superiority. A particle of pigment is less susceptible to destructive environmental elements than a dye molecule.
Many digital papers have coatings which enhance color gamut. However, these delicate coatings are susceptible to scuffing and scratching, and diminish the archival properties of the print. Prints made with coated substrates are not considered true digital pigment prints.
Considering the above factors, we define a digital pigment print, sometimes referred to as a pigmented paper print, as a digital image rendered onto an uncoated, natural fiber substrate with pigment inks.
This information has been kindly reproduced from www.gicleeprint.net
Some people want to simply pop the artwork into a ready-made frame, so I've taken care to size my artwork to fit into standard sized frames, available in Australia, the UK, Europe, the USA and Canada. In the rare instance that an artwork is only available in a size that is not standard, 'non standard' will be stated in the description.
Alternatively, you can take your print to a framer to design a custom frame to suit your creativity!
There are many online stores that stock ready-made frames; I've listed two in various countries, below, to try to help you. (With the exception of Frames Now, in Australia, these are not recommendations).
Whilst I've tried to only include online framers that stock standard-sized frames, stock available can change - and not all stock all frame sizes. For example, ready-made panoramic frames are hard to come by.
If you definitely want to purchase a ready-made frame, please check availability with your desired online store or framer before purchase in case frames are out of stock or have been discontinued.
- Australia: Frames Now (I use this company for all my framing) www.framesnow.com.au
- New Zealand: Framing On Line www.framingonline.co.nz and Briscoes www.briscoes.co.nz
- UK: Picture Frames.co.uk: www.pictureframes.co.uk and Amazon www.amazon.co.uk
- France: Amazon www.amazon.fr and Cadre Nielsen www.cadre-nielsen.fr
- Germany: Bilderrahmen www.bilderrahmen-kaufen.de and Rahmenwerk www.rahmenwerk.de
- Spain: Lafabrica del cuadro www.lafabricadelcuadro.com and Enmark 2 www.enmark2.com
- USA: Art to Frame (They seem to sell A4, A3, A2 frames as well as frames in inches) www.arttoframe.com and Amazon (They seem to sell A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 frames as well as frames in inches) www.amazon.com
- Canada: On Canvass (they sell wooden and metal frames too) www.canadaoncanvas.com and Amazon (They seem to sell A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 frames as well as frames in inches) www.amazon.ca
Details about your Original Watercolour
An Original Watercolour is a one-off painting, making a very special gift. I may reproduce the image in a different way, for example as a Giclée print or a greetings card; however, if you're the owner of the Original Watercolour, you have the only unique, original item.
Details about your Limited Edition Giclée Print
Giclée prints are of superior archival quality, light fastness and stability. They make an affordable, high quality present, or gift for yourself. Limited to a maximum of 50, there will only ever be a maximum of 50 in the world, making them extra special.
I may use the image in a different way at some time in the future, for example for greetings cards; however, when the 50 Giclée prints have been sold, it will not be possible to buy one.
What is a Giclée print and why is the distinction from other prints important?
The Definition: Giclee (zhee-klay) - The French word "giclée" is a feminine noun that means a spray or a spurt of liquid. The word may have been derived from the French verb "gicler" meaning "to squirt".
The Quality: The quality of the giclee print rivals traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes and is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries.
The Market: Numerous examples of giclee prints can be found in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Chelsea Galleries. Recent auctions of giclee prints have fetched $10,800 for Annie Leibovitz, $9,600 for Chuck Close, and $22,800 for Wolfgang Tillmans (April 23/24 2004, Photographs, New York, Phillips de Pury & Company.)
The Term: The term "giclee print" connotes an elevation in printmaking technology. Images are generated from high resolution digital scans and printed with archival quality inks onto various substrates including canvas, fine art, and photo-base paper. The giclee printing process provides better color accuracy than other means of reproduction.
The Advantages: Giclee prints are advantageous to artists who do not find it feasible to mass produce their work, but want to reproduce their art as needed, or on-demand. Once an image is digitally archived, additional reproductions can be made with minimal effort and reasonable cost. The prohibitive up-front cost of mass production for an edition is eliminated. Archived files will not deteriorate in quality as negatives and film inherently do. Another tremendous advantage of giclee printing is that digital images can be reproduced to almost any size and onto various media, giving the artist the ability to customize prints for a specific client.
The Process: Giclee prints are created typically using professional 8-Color to 12-Color ink-jet printers. Among the manufacturers of these printers are vanguards such as Epson, MacDermid Colorspan, & Hewlett-Packard. These modern technology printers are capable of producing incredibly detailed prints for both the fine art and photographic markets. Giclee prints are sometimes referred to as Iris prints, which are 4-Color ink-jet prints from a printer pioneered in the late 1970s by Iris Graphics.
About Digital Pigment Prints
The term "pigment print" is used generally for any type of printed image that uses strictly pigments. Pigment printing processes have been utilized since the middle of the 19th century. The image stability of pigment printing is superior to that of any other method of printing, including traditional silver-halide or metal-based.
Digital inkjet printing has seen a surge in the use of the pigment ink as ink sets have been refined to be compatible with the latest in high-resolution inkjet technology.
Where archival dye-based ink sets exhibit excellent color gamut, pigment inks excel in permanence. A dye is molecularly soluble in its vehicle, but pigment is not. Pigment particles tend to be large enough to embed into the receiving substrate making them water-resistant. The particulate nature of pigment inks ensures their archival superiority. A particle of pigment is less susceptible to destructive environmental elements than a dye molecule.
Many digital papers have coatings which enhance color gamut. However, these delicate coatings are susceptible to scuffing and scratching, and diminish the archival properties of the print. Prints made with coated substrates are not considered true digital pigment prints.
Considering the above factors, we define a digital pigment print, sometimes referred to as a pigmented paper print, as a digital image rendered onto an uncoated, natural fiber substrate with pigment inks.
This information has been kindly reproduced from www.gicleeprint.net
Do you have a guarantee?
It is very important to me that you are happy with your purchase. My aim is to provide you with a painting that adds joy to your life, or a gift that you're excited to give to someone special to you.
I give a 100% money back guarantee if the artwork is not fit for its intended purpose (ie is damaged).
I’m sorry, but as a small sole trader, I’m not able to offer refunds due to change of mind, incorrect selections or if you don’t like the product upon receipt.
Policies
I've tried to think about all the information that you might wish to see, including the small detail and my policies. I encourage you to read these, in the footer below, particularly the Shipping and Returns Policy before purchase.
It is very important to me that you are happy with your purchase. My aim is to provide you with a painting that adds joy to your life, or a gift that you're excited to give to someone special to you.
I give a 100% money back guarantee if the artwork is not fit for its intended purpose (ie is damaged).
I’m sorry, but as a small sole trader, I’m not able to offer refunds due to change of mind, incorrect selections or if you don’t like the product upon receipt.
Policies
I've tried to think about all the information that you might wish to see, including the small detail and my policies. I encourage you to read these, in the footer below, particularly the Shipping and Returns Policy before purchase.
