INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOS
for Porcelain Photos or MetalPhotos
ON THIS PAGE: All of your questions about submitting photos will be answered here, saving you and us much time on the telephone. We strongly encourage you to read this entire page, but if you're short on time, please read at least Section 1. Thank you.
Section 1 - Basic Instructions
Section 2 - Additional Instructions
Quality of photos submitted for use on Corian Plaques,
or as stand-alone Porcelain Photos or MetalPhotos:
It is VERY important that you send photos, whether through email or by mailing a printed photo , that are of acceptable quality to reproduce on a Porcelain Photo tile or b/w MetalPhoto. We can "clean up" photos that have, for example, artifacts in them such as scratches or "noise" ("snowy" or "grainy" appearance), or have been damaged in some way through handling or exposure to U.V. light (prints that you've had in your possession). Sometimes scratches can be removed, depending on where they are in the photo. For example, if a photo of a person's face has a scratch or scratches across the face, or across the person's eyes, that cannot be fixed without extensive, time consuming editing, or can be done at all in some cases. We cannot "work miracles" with such damage to the photo. There is only so much that can be done by "photoshopping" the picture. If you mail a photo to us, we will scan it for you at no extra charge. We are resellers for Photos on Porcelain for an Italian company that employs expert image editors that will work with your photo to improve it if necessary. For submitting photos to be imprinted on our MetalPhotos, see section below on MetalPhotos.
In addition to such damage to the photo as scratches, or a photo that was damaged by spilling liquid on it, etc., you may have a photo in which you may wish to remove background around the subject, to be replaced with a contrasting color, that can be done for minimal extra charge. If the background behind the person's hairline is the same color as the person's hair, and if the image editor can actually distinguish the hairline from the background around it, it can be done. But if background is indistinguishable from the color and hairline of the subject, it CANNOT be done. If background around the subject has an object in it, that object can be removed, in most cases, unless the object is overlapping the subject in the picture.
We are resellers for a company in Italy, and do not produce the photo tiles here in the U.S. (we are in Atlanta, Georgia). We chose to work with an Italian company that we have found to produce the best finished product, and give us the best prices. The Italian made porcelain tiles can be ordered only in sizes listed on this site. (See MetalPhotos page for description and sizes for ordering as stand-alone photos)
Scanning photos to save on your computer:
If you are getting help to scan photos to send to us, please give these Scanning Instructions to the person or store that is helping you.
Please DO Not crop the photo yourself. If you have only a print of the photo, but it is not saved on your computer, we prefer that you mail the picture to us so that we can properly scan it into the computer at acceptable resolution to produce the best quality Porcelain Photo or MetalPhoto. If you are PROFICIENT at scanning printed photos to save on your computer, the digital photo you send us by email should be in 300 dpi resolution, and scanned at the exact dimensions of the printed photo, and sent by email in jpeg format. If people or objects are to be cropped out of the photo, please scan it at 600 dpi resolution, as enlarging it may produce "snowy" or "grainy" appearance once part of the picture is eliminated.
Please DO NOT edit or crop the photo before emailing it to us. If emailing, please include the photo as an attachment to the email, in jpeg format. If you have a photo from a digital camera that was taken in a low resolution (usually 72 dpi), the resolution cannot be increased with optimal results. If you are scanning a very small printed photo that needs to be enlarged to the dimensions of the photo tile you are ordering. (i.e., if scanning a pocket sized photo, or any photo, and increasing the size of the photo to fit the photo tile, and the photo is not scanned at high resolution, when enlarged it will look "grainy" or "snowy"). You cannot send photos taken from newspaper clippings, or any other printed media other than an actual printed photo on photo paper, or scanned from a printed photo.
Cropping/Scanning Photos:
PLEASE DO NOT crop the photo yourself, or edit it in any way before sending by email. If there is more than one person in a picture and you only want one person's picture on the photo tile, please then scan the entire photo in 600 dpi resolution, but no higher than 600 dpi. (when removing people from the picture, and making the photo smaller, the resolution of the photo will be decreased every time you make a change to it or adjust its size. ) If you are not proficient in using a scanner, you may have a printed photo scanned for you at a local store, such as Office Depot. The photo should be scanned at proper resolution as per the instructions on this page (normally just 300 dpi, 600 dpi if cropping is necessary). . The store will likely give you the photo on a disk so that you may save it on your computer. Please give these instructions to the store, or a person helping you to scan photos. PHOTOS MUST BE SAVED AND SENT IN .JPEG FORMAT ONLY. Alternatively, you may send the printed photo to us to scan for you.
Italian made Porcelain Photos:
We are resellers for a company in Italy, and do not produce the photo tiles here in the U.S. (we are in Atlanta, Georgia). We chose to work with an Italian company that we have found to produce the best finished product, and give us the best prices. The Italian made porcelain tiles can be ordered only in sizes listed on this site. (See our main website, Custom Engraving Services, to order stand-alone Porcelain Photos or MetalPhotos for placement on tombstones, or display in your home).
Sending photos for Oval Porcelain Photos:
Most printed photos are in rectangular shape, in standard sizes such as 4" x 6", or 5" x 7", or 8" x 10". If you wish to order an oval shaped photo tile, there are issues you must be aware of in order to have us crop to oval shape. Please understand that cropping a photo to oval shape may remove some parts of the photo around the subject or in the entire picture, such as arms or hands, or the bottom or sides of the photo, or cropping of clothing worn by the subject. Therefore, it is best to send a photo that has space at bottom, top, and sides of the subject(s) in the photo. If the subject of the photo is too close to the edges of the picture, we may have to add to the picture using image editing software. This may require extensive editing time and incur a higher charge, or it may not be feasible to be done at all.
Sending photos for imprinting on MetalPhotos:
Our MetalPhotos are made using a photo development process, the same as for photos printed on photo paper. Your photo is developed in a dark room...on metal, instead of photo paper. The sheet metal is "silvertone" (or "grey" metal), and thus only b/w photos can be produced on the metal. (guaranteed for outdoor use). You may send us a color photo that will be converted to black and white. When submitting photos for a MetalPhoto to be included on your Plaque or Headstone, please be aware that they are made only in square or rectangular shape. The shape and size to be included on your Plaque or Headstone will be determined by the necessary cropping of the photo, and the the space available for wording included on your Plaque or Headstone. Please DO NOT crop the photo yourself, even if other people or objects are in the photo. It is always best to send a photo that does not have overlapping of people, pets, or objects in it, if you want only your pet in the picture, (close ups are best). We are also resellers for this product, and do not develop them at our studio in Atlanta, Georgia. We know of no other plaque maker that offers these MetalPhotos for inclusion on a plaque. The MetalPhoto has an adhesive backing and we will attach the photo to your finished plaque. The quality of the photo must also be the same acceptable quality as for Porcelain Photos.
Section 2 - Additional Instructions
Which size to order for Porcelain Photos:
We offer oval and rectangular shaped photo tiles, at exact, standard sizes (expressed in centimeters and inches) as shown on this website's Porcelain Photo's page. Please be sure to measure the area where you want to place the porcelain photo on a tombstone, to make sure the size you wish to order will fit in an appropriate area of the tombstone, before you place your order. Sending us a photo of the tombstone will not allow us to actually measure the area for you. If you feel you can estimate the size that will fit in a spot on the tombstone, without having to visit the cemetery, then review the sizes and choose the appropriate size photo tile you wish to order.
If ordering a porcelain photo tile for a Corian plaque, with engraved text, we will determine the best size to order after we complete a layout for the plaque. (proofs of the layout can be requested and sent to you before finalizing and producing the plaque for you. If we must spend excessive time designing the layout, we must receive payment in full in advance of approval of the layout by you. Once you approve of the design, we must receive payment in full before producing the plaque. Note that if you are ordering a Porcelain Photo to be added to a Corian Plaque, we suggest photo sizes in the order from drop down box, but the size may be changed according to the size of the Corian Plaque you are ordering, and priced accordingly.
B/w MetalPhotos will be sized according to the photo you send us, and the amount of wording on your Plaque or Headstone, after necessary cropping.
Combining two photos into one
If ordering rectangular or oval photo tiles, when you have two photos of individuals or groups, we can incorporate two photos, or the subjects therein, into one photo tile. This will incur an extra editing charge of $25.00 above the price of the photo tile you are ordering.
Section 1 - Basic Instructions
- Quality of Photos submitted
- Scanning Photos to save on your computer
- Cropping/Scanning Photos
- Italian made Porcelain Photos
- Sending Photos for Oval Porcelain Photos
- Sending Photos for MetalPhotos
Section 2 - Additional Instructions
- Which size to order for Porcelain Photos
- Combining two photos into one
Quality of photos submitted for use on Corian Plaques,
or as stand-alone Porcelain Photos or MetalPhotos:
It is VERY important that you send photos, whether through email or by mailing a printed photo , that are of acceptable quality to reproduce on a Porcelain Photo tile or b/w MetalPhoto. We can "clean up" photos that have, for example, artifacts in them such as scratches or "noise" ("snowy" or "grainy" appearance), or have been damaged in some way through handling or exposure to U.V. light (prints that you've had in your possession). Sometimes scratches can be removed, depending on where they are in the photo. For example, if a photo of a person's face has a scratch or scratches across the face, or across the person's eyes, that cannot be fixed without extensive, time consuming editing, or can be done at all in some cases. We cannot "work miracles" with such damage to the photo. There is only so much that can be done by "photoshopping" the picture. If you mail a photo to us, we will scan it for you at no extra charge. We are resellers for Photos on Porcelain for an Italian company that employs expert image editors that will work with your photo to improve it if necessary. For submitting photos to be imprinted on our MetalPhotos, see section below on MetalPhotos.
In addition to such damage to the photo as scratches, or a photo that was damaged by spilling liquid on it, etc., you may have a photo in which you may wish to remove background around the subject, to be replaced with a contrasting color, that can be done for minimal extra charge. If the background behind the person's hairline is the same color as the person's hair, and if the image editor can actually distinguish the hairline from the background around it, it can be done. But if background is indistinguishable from the color and hairline of the subject, it CANNOT be done. If background around the subject has an object in it, that object can be removed, in most cases, unless the object is overlapping the subject in the picture.
We are resellers for a company in Italy, and do not produce the photo tiles here in the U.S. (we are in Atlanta, Georgia). We chose to work with an Italian company that we have found to produce the best finished product, and give us the best prices. The Italian made porcelain tiles can be ordered only in sizes listed on this site. (See MetalPhotos page for description and sizes for ordering as stand-alone photos)
Scanning photos to save on your computer:
If you are getting help to scan photos to send to us, please give these Scanning Instructions to the person or store that is helping you.
Please DO Not crop the photo yourself. If you have only a print of the photo, but it is not saved on your computer, we prefer that you mail the picture to us so that we can properly scan it into the computer at acceptable resolution to produce the best quality Porcelain Photo or MetalPhoto. If you are PROFICIENT at scanning printed photos to save on your computer, the digital photo you send us by email should be in 300 dpi resolution, and scanned at the exact dimensions of the printed photo, and sent by email in jpeg format. If people or objects are to be cropped out of the photo, please scan it at 600 dpi resolution, as enlarging it may produce "snowy" or "grainy" appearance once part of the picture is eliminated.
Please DO NOT edit or crop the photo before emailing it to us. If emailing, please include the photo as an attachment to the email, in jpeg format. If you have a photo from a digital camera that was taken in a low resolution (usually 72 dpi), the resolution cannot be increased with optimal results. If you are scanning a very small printed photo that needs to be enlarged to the dimensions of the photo tile you are ordering. (i.e., if scanning a pocket sized photo, or any photo, and increasing the size of the photo to fit the photo tile, and the photo is not scanned at high resolution, when enlarged it will look "grainy" or "snowy"). You cannot send photos taken from newspaper clippings, or any other printed media other than an actual printed photo on photo paper, or scanned from a printed photo.
Cropping/Scanning Photos:
PLEASE DO NOT crop the photo yourself, or edit it in any way before sending by email. If there is more than one person in a picture and you only want one person's picture on the photo tile, please then scan the entire photo in 600 dpi resolution, but no higher than 600 dpi. (when removing people from the picture, and making the photo smaller, the resolution of the photo will be decreased every time you make a change to it or adjust its size. ) If you are not proficient in using a scanner, you may have a printed photo scanned for you at a local store, such as Office Depot. The photo should be scanned at proper resolution as per the instructions on this page (normally just 300 dpi, 600 dpi if cropping is necessary). . The store will likely give you the photo on a disk so that you may save it on your computer. Please give these instructions to the store, or a person helping you to scan photos. PHOTOS MUST BE SAVED AND SENT IN .JPEG FORMAT ONLY. Alternatively, you may send the printed photo to us to scan for you.
Italian made Porcelain Photos:
We are resellers for a company in Italy, and do not produce the photo tiles here in the U.S. (we are in Atlanta, Georgia). We chose to work with an Italian company that we have found to produce the best finished product, and give us the best prices. The Italian made porcelain tiles can be ordered only in sizes listed on this site. (See our main website, Custom Engraving Services, to order stand-alone Porcelain Photos or MetalPhotos for placement on tombstones, or display in your home).
Sending photos for Oval Porcelain Photos:
Most printed photos are in rectangular shape, in standard sizes such as 4" x 6", or 5" x 7", or 8" x 10". If you wish to order an oval shaped photo tile, there are issues you must be aware of in order to have us crop to oval shape. Please understand that cropping a photo to oval shape may remove some parts of the photo around the subject or in the entire picture, such as arms or hands, or the bottom or sides of the photo, or cropping of clothing worn by the subject. Therefore, it is best to send a photo that has space at bottom, top, and sides of the subject(s) in the photo. If the subject of the photo is too close to the edges of the picture, we may have to add to the picture using image editing software. This may require extensive editing time and incur a higher charge, or it may not be feasible to be done at all.
Sending photos for imprinting on MetalPhotos:
Our MetalPhotos are made using a photo development process, the same as for photos printed on photo paper. Your photo is developed in a dark room...on metal, instead of photo paper. The sheet metal is "silvertone" (or "grey" metal), and thus only b/w photos can be produced on the metal. (guaranteed for outdoor use). You may send us a color photo that will be converted to black and white. When submitting photos for a MetalPhoto to be included on your Plaque or Headstone, please be aware that they are made only in square or rectangular shape. The shape and size to be included on your Plaque or Headstone will be determined by the necessary cropping of the photo, and the the space available for wording included on your Plaque or Headstone. Please DO NOT crop the photo yourself, even if other people or objects are in the photo. It is always best to send a photo that does not have overlapping of people, pets, or objects in it, if you want only your pet in the picture, (close ups are best). We are also resellers for this product, and do not develop them at our studio in Atlanta, Georgia. We know of no other plaque maker that offers these MetalPhotos for inclusion on a plaque. The MetalPhoto has an adhesive backing and we will attach the photo to your finished plaque. The quality of the photo must also be the same acceptable quality as for Porcelain Photos.
Section 2 - Additional Instructions
Which size to order for Porcelain Photos:
We offer oval and rectangular shaped photo tiles, at exact, standard sizes (expressed in centimeters and inches) as shown on this website's Porcelain Photo's page. Please be sure to measure the area where you want to place the porcelain photo on a tombstone, to make sure the size you wish to order will fit in an appropriate area of the tombstone, before you place your order. Sending us a photo of the tombstone will not allow us to actually measure the area for you. If you feel you can estimate the size that will fit in a spot on the tombstone, without having to visit the cemetery, then review the sizes and choose the appropriate size photo tile you wish to order.
If ordering a porcelain photo tile for a Corian plaque, with engraved text, we will determine the best size to order after we complete a layout for the plaque. (proofs of the layout can be requested and sent to you before finalizing and producing the plaque for you. If we must spend excessive time designing the layout, we must receive payment in full in advance of approval of the layout by you. Once you approve of the design, we must receive payment in full before producing the plaque. Note that if you are ordering a Porcelain Photo to be added to a Corian Plaque, we suggest photo sizes in the order from drop down box, but the size may be changed according to the size of the Corian Plaque you are ordering, and priced accordingly.
B/w MetalPhotos will be sized according to the photo you send us, and the amount of wording on your Plaque or Headstone, after necessary cropping.
Combining two photos into one
If ordering rectangular or oval photo tiles, when you have two photos of individuals or groups, we can incorporate two photos, or the subjects therein, into one photo tile. This will incur an extra editing charge of $25.00 above the price of the photo tile you are ordering.
