855.759.9375

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our Tech Specs page for nerd-like details on our wood choices and print finishes.

Turnaround Time & Shipping

  • How long will my Plywerk take to make?
  • I need my Plywerk super crazy fast! (aka rush orders)
  • What are your shipping prices and options?
  • Can you ship directly to my buddy / client / enemy?
  • Ooo... I live in or near Portland, Oregon!
  • Where do I pickup my order?
  • Do you ship internationally?
  • Import Duty Disclaimer

File Preparation

  • Color calibration and printer correction/optimization.
  • Should black and white images be submitted as Grayscale or RGB?
  • What image formats do you accept?
  • What are your recommended image dimensions?
  • Bleed, Trim and Borders

Print Finish & Quality

  • What color/quality guarantees do you offer?
  • What print finishes do you offer?
  • What print finish is best for me?
  • Do Plywerk have a protective finish?
  • Do you use a laminate on prints?
  • Are Plywerk considered archival?
  • What happened to canvas?

Blank Panels

  • How do I mount my print to my Plywerk Blank Panel?
  • Will my Blank Panel be exactly sized?
  • Will my print mount on Plywerk?

Prodeal

  • What is the Prodeal program?
  • Do I qualify for the Prodeal program?
  • Did the Prodeal discounts change?

Wholesale & Non-Profit Orders

  • How do I place a wholesale order?
  • How do I place a non-profit order?

Original Prints That You Supply

  • I have my own print/image. Can you Plywerk it for me?
  • Can I just scan my print/image and upload that?

Caring For Your Plywerk

  • Can I wipe my Plywerk down with a dry cloth?
  • How moisture resistant are Plywerk?
  • How can I ensure my Plywerk a long and happy life?

Digital Services

  • Photoshop Magic
  • Digital-Reproduction

Warranty & Returns

  • Our Warranty
  • What if things go wrong?

Miscellaneous

  • Are there any rules for promotions and discount codes?
  • What payment options do you accept?
  • Tell Me More About The Sexy Beveled Product.

Turnaround Time & Shipping

How long will my order take to complete?

We define 'turnaround time' as the amount of time between when your order is received and when it is shipped. Basically, the time your order is in production. Orders including products with different turnaround times will be shipped together. Be sure to get in touch if you'd like to make other arrangements. The below times are in business days.

Standard Turnaround

Product Turnaround (4pm PST cut-off)
Your Image on Plywerk 5-9 business days
Blank Plywerk 2-5 business days
Print Samples 1-2 business days
Gift Certificates 1 business day

I need my Plywerk super crazy fast! (aka rush orders)

If you need your Plywerk super crazy fast then contact us at info@plywerk.com or 855.759.9375 as soon as possible and we'll do all we can to make it happen. A minimum 25% rush fee may apply. In the off chance that your rush order is not completed within the agreed upon rush order turnaround time, your rush fee will be refunded.

What are your shipping prices and options?

Shipping costs are calculated by total order weight during checkout. You will have the following shipping options:

Shipping Option Transit Time Please Note
Express 1-2 days Overnight to most of US.
Priority 2-3 days
UPS Next Day 1 day UPS does not ship to P.O. Boxes or A.P.O. addresses.
UPS 2-Day 2 days
UPS 3-Day 3 days
UPS Ground 3-5 days
Portland Pickup As soon as you pickup. Details below.

Can you ship directly to my buddy / client / enemy?

Yes indeed. When you're ordering, simply enter the shipping address and zip code as prompted and you'll be all set. If you'd like to be sure your buddy/client/enemy doesn't receive an invoice or packing slip, check the "omit invoice & packing slip" check box during checkout.

Ooo... I live in or near Portland, Oregon!

Us too! Just select Portland pickup and pick your order up from our SE Portland pickup location and avoid shipping charges. Please note, for orders weighing over 25lbs there will still be a small materials and handling charge. We carefully and securely wrap every Plywerk to make sure it reaches it's final destination unharmed.

Where do I pickup my order?

We will email you when your order is ready for pickup letting you know which pickup location to go to. Depending on the size of your order we have two locations in Portland for pickups:

  • Plywerk HQ
    318 SE Main, Portland, Oregon 97214 (map & directions)
    Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5. Closed weekends.
    Before picking up at Plywerk HQ please give us a call to let us know you're coming. We sometimes pop out for a well deserved gelato break.

  • Land
    landpdx.com
    3925 North Mississippi Ave, Portland, Oregon 97227 (map & directions)
    Regular Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6. Sun 10-5
    Please do not contact Land regarding your order. They are lovely people but they will probably not be able to answer questions about your order.

Do you ship internationally?

We most certainly do! If you select 'rest of world' as your shipping destination you will be given a shipping estimate for your order. If your actual shipping total is different than the estimate we will contact you.

Import Duty Disclaimer

We are not responsible for any import duty charges for shipping Plywerk outside the United States. Sorry to be so mean about it.

File Preparation

Color calibration and printer correction/optimization.

Our printers all run tightly calibrated color environments. In order to get the most optimum color output possible we encourage you to work on a color calibrated monitor. You can read more about monitor calibration on Dry Creek Photo's website. For the best color accuracy format your images using Adobe RGB (1998) or sRGB color profiles. We do not perform color correction/optimization on your images.

Should black and white images be submitted as Grayscale or RGB?

All images should be submitted as RGB regardless of whether they are black and white or color.

What image formats do you accept?

We accept JPG (JPEG) image files only. This is because:

  1. JPG is an excellent file format for output (print) purposes. As long as you save your image using the lowest compression, no JPG degradation will be visible. The degradation that can occur when saving to JPG is only visible as: 1. cumulative degradation, which occurs when you open a JPG, work on it, save it as a JPG, open that same JPG, work on it, save it, ect. or 2. the loss which occurs when an image is saved using the highest compression.
  2. Commercial printers (using digital RGB laser mini-labs) don't accept anything but JPG. Their machines are all calibrated to process sRGB JPG so if you want to see your images come out like they look on your calibrated home workspace then sRGB JPG is the best way to go as their will be no image conversion before sending it to the printer or by the printer itself before printing. So uploading sRGB JPG files increases the success rate in the process from your computer to the print and allows for more efficiency, given the jpg is saved using the above format.

What are your recommended image dimensions?

For optimum print quality we recommend that your images are sized to 300 dots/pixels per inch (dpi). When sizing your image calculate the dimensions (in pixels) by multiplying the Plywerk size by 300dpi. See examples below.

Listed Plywerk Size image dimensions in pixels
4x4 1,200 x 1,200 (4x300 = 1,200)
8x10 2,400 x 3,000 (8x300 = 2,400 & 10x300 = 3,000)
12x18 3,600 x 5,400 (12x300 = 3,600 & 18 x 300 = 5,400)

Bleed, Trim and Borders

All Plywerk are actually made 1/8" to 1/2" less than the stated size to allow some bleed for us/you to trim the image and get that perfectly clean edge. This means you will lose a little of the original image.

  • The part of the image that is trimmed is called the bleed.
  • The area in which you should not place any critical text or image is called the trim zone.
  • If you want to add a colored border to your print then be sure that it is at least the size of our recommended minimum border size.

Please do not try to add any extra for bleed or trim. If you order an 8x8, upload and 8x8 sized image!

Listed Plywerk Size Bleed * Trim Zone * Min. Border Size Actual Finished Plywerk Size Example
4x4 - 8x12 1/16" 3/16" 1/2" (4x4 minus left, right, top & bottom bleed)
12x12 - 12x18 1/8" 3/8" 3/4" 11 3/4" x 11 3/4" (12x12 minus left, right, top & bottom bleed)
16x16 - 20x20 3/16" 1/2" 1 1/4" 15 5/8" x 15 5/8" (16x16 minus left, right, top & bottom bleed)
20x24 - 30x45 1/4" 3/4" 1 1/2" 19 1/2" x 23 1/2" (20x24 minus left, right, top & bottom bleed)

* The bleed, trim zone and border size apply to every side (top, bottom, left and right).

Print Finish & Quality

What color / quality guarantees do you offer?

We Plywerkers have a strong background in printing, print-design and photography. We use the best printers around and have well established relationships with them. But in the end color reproduction is not an exact science and fluctuations can occur. With this in mind the quality of the print is very much dependent on the file you provide us with. So be sure to read our File Preparation guidelines above AND if you are truly and deeply passionately about the color make sure you are working on a color calibrated monitor.

What print finishes do you offer?

We have many paper finishes available in both C-Type and Ink-Jet printing. Details for each one are found in our Tech Specs.

What print finish is best for me?

We put together a fancy table with our print finish "suggestions" for various forms of art and photography. Check the Tech Specs page for details. If you're still having trouble choosing the best paper finish you can order 5x5 print samples of all of our paper options. Order print samples here.

Do prints have a protective finish?

All our prints have a UV coating to protect them from fading. Visit the Tech Specs page for nerd-like details on our print finishes and the Caring for your Plywerk section for more on how to ensure your Plywerk a long life.

Do you use a laminate on the prints?

We offer a lamination option upon request but do not offer it as a standard checkout option. If you are interested in having your pieces laminated please contact us for pricing.

Is Plywerk considered archival?

Although there are no formal standards, the term "archival" usually suggests it will last a lifetime. We use archival C-Type and Ink-Jet prints and we use pH-neutral adhesives to protect the archival prints from the natural acids that occur in all woods.

However, as the adhesives are not tested for longevity by the manufacturers we cannot make any claims towards their longevity. Also, as the Plywerk process is irreversible (i.e. the print cannot be removed once mounted), it cannot be considered an archival framing solution for original prints.

Note: To give your Plywerk a longer life avoid hanging it in a overly damp environment or direct sunlight.

What happened to canvas?

We decided to remove matte canvas and glossy canvas print finishes as options from plywerk.com to help simplify our product. We don't have anything against canvas and won't be doing anything crazy like unfriending it on facebook nor will we stop inviting it to our holiday parties... we simply decided to go in different directions. Canvas, if you're reading this, we wish you the best... tell gesso 'what up' for us. If you are freaked out about canvas no longer being an option and refuse to work with our other print finishes, please contact us and we'll do a special run just for you.

Blank Panels

How do I mount my print to my Plywerk Blank Panel?

We include an ultra-handy Plywerk Mounting & Trimming Guide with every Blank Panel order. If you still have questions about the mounting process please feel free to contact us.

Will my Blank Panel be exactly sized?

All Plywerk panels are made 1/8" to 1/2" less than the stated size. This gives you some bleed to trim the image and get a perfectly clean edge. If you want your 5x5 to be exactly 5"x5" (and not 4 7/8" x 4 7/8") then be sure to contact us for a custom order.

Will my print mount on Plywerk?

Please be aware that when mounting pieces on your own Plywerk cannot take responsibility for bubbling, peeling, or trimming defects. When mounting heavyweight papers and highly absorbent papers (e.g. watercolor paper) by hand, you run the risk of having prints peeling up over time. For best results we recommend using any of the papers listed on the Tech Specs page.

Prodeal

What is the Prodeal program?

We are dedicated to supporting the art and photography community and built our business model to cater to professional photographers and artists who are looking to use an eco-conscious substrate. Through the Plywerk Prodeal program we offer special pricing and additional features to photographers, artists, students and design professionals.

Do I qualify for the Prodeal program?

If you're an individual artist, photographer, student or design professional and you show or sell your work, you qualify for the Prodeal program. When creating your account you will be asked to prove your Prodeal status by giving your business/portfolio email and website address. Check our Prodeal page for more details.

Did the Prodeal discount thresholds change?

Yes, starting in June on of 2012 our Prodeal thresholds changed. We love being generous with our artists, but realized that we needed to make a change in order to maintain the high quality Portland made product you have come to expect. We still offer a killer Prodeal discount that starts at 20% and goes up to 50% based on volume.

Wholesale & Non-Profit Orders

How do I place a wholesale order?

For wholesale orders please contact us to find out about pricing and placing an order.

How do I place a non-profit order?

We love to support non-profits. As a non-profit we encourage you to sign up for a Prodeal account.

Original Prints That I Supply

I have my own print/image. Can you Plywerk it for me?

If the original is a one of a kind or of any significant monetary or personal value we highly recommend using our digital reproduction service. Once the image is Plywerked there is no going back!

However, we will mount originals if you so wish. But we do not take responsibility for your images. In the unlikely event that we damage the original you will receive a full credit on your order but WILL NOT be compensated for the the loss of your original.

Can I just scan my print/image and upload that?

Yes but be sure to follow our file preparation guidelines. Be especially aware of the recommended image dimensions. Alternatively you can have us scan your print for you. See our Digital Reproduction service for more details.

Caring For Your Plywerk

Can I wipe my Plywerk down with a dry cloth?

Yes, BUT we recommend you use a dry lint free cloth like the ones used to clean computer monitors and eye glasses.

Note: Do not try to wipe moisture off of a Plywerk as it can damage the print. Instead leave it to dry naturally. Dust can be wiped off with care.

How moisture resistant is Plywerk?

If hung in a well ventilated bathroom the adhesives and prints we use will stand up to heat and moisture very well. We have had one hanging in our own bathroom as a test piece for over four years and it has shown absolutely no sign of damage from the heat or moisture.

Note: Do not try and wipe moisture off of a Plywerk as it can damage the print. Instead leave it to dry naturally.

How can I ensure my Plywerk has a long and happy life?

Avoid hanging it in a overly damp environment or direct sunlight.

Digital Services

Photoshop Magic

Want to remove something, want to fix that tear in the photo, want to get rid of that car... your imagination is the only limitation. We offer our photoshop magic service at a rate of $60ph (billed in 1/2hr increments). Please contact us for an estimate.

Digital Reproduction

Have an original that's dear to you but would like it Plywerked? No problem, we can create a digital reproduction of your original image. Please contact us for pricing.

Warranty & Returns

Our Warranty

Plywerk guarantees our products for life against manufacturing defects. We like to think most people have a solid understanding about what a manufacturing defect is but to avoid confusion, here is the fine print: "manufacturing defect" does not include damage caused by showering with your Plywerk, kissing your Plywerk, acts of God or normal wear and tear. Please be extremely careful when removing Plywerk from the packaging and getting the piece into its location on the wall. Avoid putting your fingers directly on the print finish and when possible handle your Plywerk from the back and sides. Plywerk and the prints on them are fragile and should be handled with care.

To avoid voiding your warranty you must show your finished Plywerk to 10 friends and tell them how fun / good looking / smart the Plywerk crew is. That's not true about the voided warranty but we love any and all shout outs in person as well as on your social networking sites. Oh, and whatever you do, do not feed your Plywerk after midnight!

What if things go wrong?

If a problem arises please don't throw your Plywerk away, paint it or burn it without talking to us first. We would much rather fix or reclaim a piece of Plywerk than see it turn into a cutting board or fire starter. Please contact us to discuss a return or repair and to obtain a Return Authorization Number prior to sending products back. Returned panels for exchange must be in their original unaltered condition. When returning something be prepared with the following: a full description of what is wrong with the product, how the damage occurred, how many cavities you have, how often you floss, and a couple pictures of the damaged piece / box it arrived in.

Miscellaneous

Are there any rules for promotions and discount codes?

No promotional prices or discount codes can be combined. Discounts only apply to Plywerk panels and do not apply to promotional items, Plywerk Gift Certificates, Prints, Print Samples and additional services. If you apply a discount code to a promotional item, we will be contacting you to correct the invoice prior to shipping... sorry to be so mean.

What payment options do you accept?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Paypal.

Tell Me More About The Sexy Beveled Product

The new beveled edge reveals the bamboo material and creates a sort of built-in border. It has the same function and eco-conscious properties as the other Plywerk photo mounting and art panel products, just a new sexy aesthetic. The beveled product is currently only available in ¾” bamboo and the largest size available will be 12x18. Beveled pieces can be ordered as Blank Panels as well but there is not an option to apply adhesive on blank beveled pieces. If that makes you super mad you should consider mediating or taking a nice long hot yoga class to get over it.

Merchant Services