FAQ - ABOUT OUR SERVICES

Ordering

1. Order On-Line or by Mail
2. Order Processing Time
3. Rush Service
4. Mailing Instructions
5. Payments
6. Original Photograph
7. Scanning Instructions
8. Color, B&W and Sepia images
9. Shape Options
10. Composition
11. Image Cropping
12. Size Options
13. Frame Options
14. Shipping Options
15. Warranty

Retouching and Additional Options

1. Minor Retouch
2. Multiple Images
3. Remove objects/people
4. Replace Background
5. Replace Clothing
6. Special Retouch/Restoration

Additional Information

1. What you should know
2. Installation Tips
3. Hard Water Stains
4. Retouching samples

There are few options of ordering your memorial portrait:

To place your order on-line click Order Online and follow the step by step instructions. Our online upload form accepts files only up to 5 Mbyte, in JPG/JPEG format.

To place an order, e-mail your scanned photo (jpeg or tif preferably 300dpi) and order form including credit card information to orders@ceramicportraits.com or send your payment with reference information via regular mail.

Mail original photo, order form and payment to: Ceramic Portraits 7601 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046

Normal orders will be processed within 10 business days from the day orders are received.

Rush orders will be processed within 2-5 business days from the day orders are received and will be shipped overnight by request for an additional fee.

If mailing in your order, make sure to send a separate order form for each photo with best possible original. Please don’t staple, paperclip or write on the back of the original photograph. Please protect your photo when mailing and send in with priority mail to be able to track your package if necessary, Ceramic Portraits will not be responsible for any damage or loss of the original photographs through the mailing process.

All orders must be accompanied with full payment to be processed.

Before you begin scanning, it's important to start with clean scanner glass and clean photos.

1. Wipe your photos with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess dust or smudges.

2. Clean the glass of your scanner with non-abrasive glass cleaner and soft cloth. 3. Place your photo face-down on the scanner glass and close the lid.

4. Set the Resolution at which the image should be scanned in, for the best quality set the resolution of your scanner to at least 300dpi or pixels per inch.

5. Prescan your photo and select the area of the picture slightly larger than area of the picture desired for the cameo. Click on "Preview" or “Prescan” at the bottom of the scanner window.

6. When the image appears on the monitor screen, adjust the dashed-line rectangle by dragging its edges until it covers the entire area that you want to scan. Remember that anything outside of this rectangle will not be scanned.

7. Specify the output size of the scanned image as the Target Size. Target Size must be equal or slightly larger of the final porcelain portrait desired.

8. Choose a destination for your scanned file, and then select Scan.

9. Save file in JPG format (saved file must have reference name)

Photo-Ceramic portraits are available in Color, Black and White, and Sepia. Select B&W or Sepia option if you would like your color photo converted to Black and White or Sepia. Our artists know just what to do to make the cameo look as if it was originally photographed that way.

Variety of oval or rectangular shapes are available

Please select single, couple or a group of people for a vertical or horizontal cameo.

Please indicate “Head & Shoulders”, “Half Figure” or “Full Figure” for the cameo. If it was not specified on the order form, we will crop your image as “Head & Shoulders” so it works with the proportions of the cameo size you've selected. In case the image you send won't work in the selected size we'll call you with an alternative solution. If you prefer to crop and reproduce only a portion of your photo, please indicate in the special instructions of the order form description of the intended cropping.

Picture sizes various from 2x2-3/4” to 9,5x12” or 5x7cm to 24x30cm

Our bronze frames treated with the special epoxy polyester varnish which doesn't stain, doesn't change the beauty and the brightness with time, does not need cleaning. All frames provided with two pins for attaching it to the memorial. You can choose plain or decorative frames for the portraits size from 2x2-3/4” to 7x9.5” or 5x7cm to 18x24cm.

All orders shipped by Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. Shipping and handling charges are flat fee per order. If indicated in the order form, orders can be shipped overnight for an additional fee.

We offer a lifetime guarantee against fading and discoloration. All cameos are baked in a ceramic oven at high temperatures, ensuring superior resistance to sunlight and extreme weather conditions. We guarantee lifelong color permanence and durability. Please note that damage caused by vandalism or negligence is not covered by the warranty. Proper care of the product is essential to prevent damage and extend its lifespan.

All photographs require at least minimal retouching before manufacture of the cameo.

All minor retouching included and provided free of charge:

• Remove minor stains, dust, or scratches

• Repair minor cracks, creases, or tears

• Remove "red eye"

• Minor exposure correction and color balancing

Two or more subjects separated on original photo or taken from different original photographs brought in to one ceramic portrait can be done for an additional charge. (Two or more subjects next to each other in the same original picture - NO CHARGE).

Per Customer request we can remove objects and replace background for an additional charge. We can provide a large selection of basic backgrounds to choose from, or you can supply your own.

Our artists can remove stains from clothing, change color, remove unwanted accessories, or change the clothing for an additional charge. We can provides a large selection of styles to choose from, or you can supply your own.

Our artists take each job personally, we are dedicated helping you reclaim your memories by offering quality photo restorations. There is no job to big or small for us to handle. Below are the most popular retouching services that are requested by our customers, and if you don’t see something that you would like to have done, please call us or email.

* Remove stains, dust, or scratches

* Repair cracks, creases, or tears

* Removing imperfections on a background

* Darkening or lightening of an image

* Recreating detail in faces, clothing and background

* Facial Retouch (Mole/scar removal, eyeglasses removal, eye enhancement and more)

* Recreate a tooth that is chipped or missing and braces removal

* Teeth whitening or stains removal

* Rebuilding part of the body that was missing or covered in the original photograph

* Combining two or more subjects into one image including swapping people or objects from one image in to another image.

Detailed retouching, outside of minor cosmetic adjustments, is available for an extra cost. Please include in special instructions what you want retouched - as detailed as possible.

1. Choose the best and clear picture available.

2. Make sure that the face of the subject is not too small. Imperfections will appear if portrait must be significantly enlarged.

3. Avoid textured original photographs.

4. Best way to find if there are imperfections is by examining the original photo with a magnifying lens.

5. Send only original photographs, we cannot guarantee quality from photocopies, inkjet reproductions and low quality photo prints. Original photographs will be returned in the same shape as they were received.

6. Do not staple, paperclip, scotch tape or write on the back of the original photograph.

7. Write clearly on the order form.

8. Do not send pictures with frame and glass, We are not responsible for shipping damages.

9. Please use size templates for reference only and do not pre-cut stones before receiving the memorial portrait. Actual sizes of cameos may slightly vary.

10. We cannot guarantee identical colors on ceramics and occasionally you may see a slight difference. Colors used in manufacture of ceramics are different from those used in color photo papers in order to resist against sun light and extreme weather conditions.

We recommend for installation of ceramic portraits marine type clear silicone adhesive or mortar mix. Per customers request we can attach 3M VHB self adhesive tape to the back of the cameo. If using silicon or 3M VHB tape, make sure area is dry and cleaned with alcohol from any dirt and oil. If using 3M VHB tape, make sure cameo pressed firm into desired position and not moved or repositioned once placed. The full adhesion will take approximately 72hours at temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It is not recommended affixing with 3M VHB tape in temperature below 50 degrees.

Hard Water Stains

The hard water stains, often called lime scale, are chalky white mineral deposits resulting from a build-up of alkaline in hard water. When the water from irrigation dries, the deposits are left behind, leaving unsightly spots on ceramic surfaces. If a stain remains for long periods it can become permanent

To remove hard water stains, fill 1/2 of a squirt bottle with vinegar, 1/4 cup lemon juice and fill remaining space with your choice of dishwasher detergent and mix. Then spray only surfaces you have hard water stains on avoiding granite and silicone sealant. Let it sit for 30 minutes before wiping it off with a small sponge.

CLR cleaner also can be used to remove water stains (read safety precautions before use)

Hard water stains should be removed regularly because the longer a stain is allowed to sit, the harder it will be to remove. After porcelain surface is clean and completely dry, clear car wax can be used to prevent stains build-up for some period of time.