Info & Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Information for Customers
 

Framing

Unknownprints does not send out paper prints framed. This is because you can choose the size of the print to suit the frame or space you have in mind. It also keeps postage costs down meaning we can pass savings on to you.

Printing

We print on demand meaning we have little or no stock. Please allow up to 4 working days for dispatch, it is invariably swifter than this however.

Q. What are the differences between matt and gloss paper?

A. Apart from the obvious answer, there are a couple of differences. Glossy paper reflects light and the colours appear vibrant such as the photos you get developed with a camera. If you’re in a well lit area these can sometimes be hard to see if the light is bouncing off the surface and tends to be used with detailed photographs. Matt prints on the other hand don’t reflect the light and have a rougher texture. Due to this, matt prints don’t tend to show fingerprints as easily as with gloss prints.
 

 

Q. What frames fit your prints?

A. All standard ISO paper size (A1-A5) frames fit our prints. If however you have a non-standard frame then you can always choose one of our prints with a border and trim it to fit. 

 

Q. What size prints are available?

 

A. We print from A1 down to A5 so there is a print for everyone and every space. See table for sizes.

Q. Are there any other sizes other than standard sizes?

 

A. No, and for a couple of reasons. Most frame sizes are standard sizes and so can be difficult to find a print for. The other reason being that we have intentionally made the art affordable enough that you won’t worry about cutting them down to size if you already have a frame/space you already want to use. So for example, if you have already bought a frame that it just smaller than A1 you can order an A1 print with a border therefore reducing the size of the print. You can then cut the borders off to fit your frame.

 

 

Q. Will the colour of prints differ from those on the website?

 

A. Every effort at our end is made to ensure the prints are as close to the screen colour. However everybody has different colour settings on their screens as well as contrast, brightness etc. The changes won’t be drastically different but it can also vary depending on lighting conditions.

 

Q. How do I place an order?

A. It's easy and secure. Just place the product(s) you wish to order in your electronic shopping cart by clicking on the “add to my cart” button located next to the product image. When you're ready to complete your order, click "Continue Checkout," follow the easy instructions on completing your order. All our payments are handled by paypal, one of the oldest, most popular, secure payment processors on the internet.

Q. How long will my order take to arrive?

A. Take a look at our shipping page for more information. Times are estimates, but if you have any worries get in contact with us.

Information for Artists 
 

 

Q. What do I receive if my submission is accepted?

 

A. All submissions accepted receive 40% profit of the prints sold with their own artwork, these profits are paid on a quarterly basis directly to the artist. For themed submissions the prize fund may vary.
 

Totalling £3,360 for 200 prints (and we limit it to 200 of each design).

 

 

Q. How are winning designs chosen?

 

A. Winning designs are chosen by us, this is based on originality and how well we think the image will sell.

 

 

 

Q. How am I paid and how often?

 

A. Payments are sent via paypal to the artist every quartile. If for example, a print is sold on January 1st, payment will be sent for that print and any subsequent prints sold on March 31st. It is the responsibility of the artist for determining, reporting and paying all, if any applicable taxes.

Due to a three week probabtion period once artwork is added to the store - to ensure that the artwork is your own and doesn't conflict with any copyrights - any sold in those first three weeks are added to following quartile should there be an overlap. If for any reason artists are in violation of any copyrights (such as artwork ownership) and the piece of work removed from sale all royalties up to that point will not be paid. Royalties will subsequently be offered to the true owner.

 

 

 

Q. What software would you recommend for editing?

 

A. We personally use Adobe Photoshop as it is the industry standard. We also use Adobe Illustrator for vector art.

 

 

Q. What is the minimum age to sign up?

 

A. 18, although if you are under 18, you must have permission and supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is at least 18 years of age; that adult is responsible for the account.

 

 

Q. Do you accept camera film or CD/USB submissions?

 

A. At present we cannot process either of these. If you have a photograph that you want to submit we ask you convert it to a digital format, however if this is done make sure that it will be equivalent or better quality than a 10megapixel camera. We don’t accept CD/USB submissions due to complications if they are lost and issues with returning items.

 

 

Q. Why was my piece rejected? What are the minimum requirements?

 

A.

• • • Copyright / Trademark infringement.
  • • Work contains inappropriate/offensive images and/or language.
  • • Artwork needs more work.
    • Image too similar to product already being sold - if we feel it will conflict with sales of a similar print.
  • • Quality is too low. Photograph submissions must be 10 megapixels or higher.
  • • Duplicate Submission - significant changes required.
  • • Themed Submission - work irrelevant to theme.
    • Photography - Panoramic photos (due to us printing at paper ISO standards, A1, A2 etc).
    • Date, Signature or Logo is present on the artwork.

 

Even if your low resolution image is accepted you may not be accepted if you don’t provide a high resolution image of your winning submission. We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping it available in case of winning. The minimum requirements are a 10megapixel camera or higher on maximum quality setting for photography submissions and an A3 canvas at 300dpi for all other submissions. Starting at 72dpi then increasing to 300dpi does not increase quality so unfortunately this would result in a rejected winning submission.

 

 

Q. What’s the difference between 300 ppi and dpi?

 

A. The main difference is that 300 pixels per inch (ppi) is used for anything in a digital format such as a digital camera or a screen as it is made up from pixels, whereas dots per inch (dpi) is used for printing. 300ppi equals roughly 150dpi when printed due to printing consisting of ink dots.

 

 

Q. What are typography submissions?

 

A. Typography submissions are artwork where the main focus of the image is on words or letters.  These can either be photography or a graphic design submission and are categorised accordingly.

 

 

Q. Can I submit art containing trademark/copyrighted material?

 

A.If in doubt over trademarked/copyrighted artwork then we ask that you do not submit your artwork as it will be rejected due to copyright/trademark infringement.

 

 

Q. What are the minimum requirements for submissions?

 

A.The main difference is that 300 pixels per inch (ppi) is used for anything in a digital format such as a digital camera or a screen as it is made up from pixels, whereas dots per inch (dpi) is used for printing. 300ppi equals roughly 150dpi when printed due to printing consisting of ink dots.

 

Q. Is there a limit to the number of images I can send?

 

A. We do ask that you only send in images that you genuinely believe are good enough to be accepted. Most submissions range from 1-3 images and we ask that they vary from the ones already available for sale. We also ask that they are not edited versions of previously rejected work.