Commissions FAQ

What makes for a good picture to start from?

Here are some things that I will be looking for in my assessment::

  • High contrast pictures work best (eg silhouettes, shadows, light and dark variations)
  • Things that show depth (eg perspective lines, such as rail tracks that converge in the distance) or depth of field (a point of focus, with closer and further objects out of focus).
  • It is usually best to avoid faces, since even very minor variances can change the look

Not sure if it will work? just send it through and I will let you know. The images remain your property and I will delete them after the assessment, unless you choose to proceed.


Price

As you might expect, this will vary depending on the options that you choose. Size, depth, complexity of colour changes and resolution are some of the things that will vary the most. Here are some guidelines:

Size:

The physical piece (independent of framing), will typically come in the following sizes:

  • 200mm x 200mm (about 8 ⅔” x 8 ⅔ “)
  • 300mm x 300mm (about 12” x 12”)
  • 380mm x 380mm (about 15” x 15”)

However, this can be customized to any dimension you require, up to 400mm x 400 mm (about 15 ¾” x 15 ¾”).  Of course, the dimensions can be infinite if printed in panels.

Depth: 

This establishes the volume of the work.  Typical depths are between 15 - 20mm, but this can range all the way up to 400mm deep.

Colour changes: 

Your work will be built in layers.  Each layer can have only one colour, and the colour shows through gaps and holes in the layers above to contribute the image.  Think of this work as a stack of transparent sheets, each with a bit of the image.   Fewer colour changes between layers equals lower complexity.

Materials:

Most works will be printed in Poly Lactic Acid (starches derived from corn. Within our PLA option there are great infusions available that can have a tremendous influence on the look and feel of your finished work.  At times, it may warrant the use of materials that include other elements, such as carbon fiber, wood (e.g. pine or coconut), metals (e.g. copper or iron), masonry (e.g. terra cotta or concrete) and others. Also, depending on the intended uses (e.g. for outdoor display), options exist to enhance durability.

Resolution:

Just like scaling a photograph’s resolution up or down will change the look of the images, the same is true for these works.  Resolution improvement is achieved by varying the thickness of each layer.  Layers can be printed as thin as 100 microns (1/10 of a millimeter).  At this thickness, layer lines will be smoother and less visible, but more layers would be required to achieve the same thickness. Typically, a layer thickness of 200 microns is ideal, and often even higher coarseness of 300 microns can be appropriate for some designs.

The minimum cost for a Commissioned project is $400, including:

A work of art with length and width up to 200mm x 200mm, a depth of up to 12mm, up to 4 colour changes, printed in Poly Lactic Acid, and a resolution of 300 microns.

Once I have a sense of your project, I will quantify some options for you, along with some guidance of what upgrades, if any, are warranted

 

Can I change my mind after it starts?

We can make all of the changes that you require in the planning stages, but once the print commences, variability is no longer an option


When do I pay?

A $100 deposit is required after validation that the image is suitable for conversion to physical form.  Thereafter, payment in full is required before the commencement of printing.

 

How long does the process take?

Planning, preparation and digital manipulation of the image can take as little as one day or up to 2 weeks, depending on complexity,  The printing process can also be time consuming, usually taking between 2 - 4 days, but occasionally over a week, This will be influenced by many variables.  I will provide a time estimate of the print time before the commencement of the project.