ABOUT PICS ALIVE
What is it that you do?We are a photo-print & design studio, dedicated to providing customers with high-quality prints on canvas wraps, aluminium prints, acrylic mounts, wall murals, and fine arts paper.
What other products do you sell?In addition to canvas, acrylic, metal, glass and a range of paper products, We print wood mounts, metallic canvases, and acrylic blocks. We also offer a resin finish or UV coating to your print if that is what you wish.
Where do you print?Majority of our prints are done in-house, from time to time, we get some work done by trade professionals. All our products are made in Canada.
Is delivery or installation available?Yes, delivery and installation is an option, though the price will vary depending on the location. The installation is charged per hour, and depending on the amount you need installed, it may take a few sessions.
What kind of printer do you use?Our printers are Latex and inkjet printers, and our prints are all gallery quality as well as archival.
ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS
Do you print specific sizes or any size?For our standard media, such as our canvas wraps, brushed aluminum prints and acrylic mounts, they can be any size. We do offer acrylic blocks and some other aluminum finishes, though they do have their own set sizes. We also do custom frames. You can tell us what size you need and we can make it for you.
What is your turn-around time?Depending on the product, finish and size, most orders are ready within a week. Our standard turnaround time for canvases is 3 days plus delivery, but If you have a rush order, we can try and do better. For aluminium prints or acrylic mounts, the turnaround time is around 10 days.
What kind of thicknesses do you have for canvas?Our standard size is 1.5 inches, and our thin frame is 3/4 inch. In terms of more thickness for canvases, we also have a 2.5 inch, and can do a custom thickness if that is what you require, though the cost and turnaround time will be more than the standard size.
What do you mean when you say finishes for canvases? And what are my options?Finishes refers to how the canvas wraps around the sides of the frame to the back. In terms of options, there are a few, depending on the picture as well as your preferences. We have wrap-around, which mirrors the picture itself and gives a very natural look; there is a solid-colour option that has a very distinctive look; and there is a mirrored-blur option, which is a more unique finish that works well with portrait photos.
Will my pictures or colour fade?We offer lifetime colour and workmanship guarantee on all our indoor products. Over the years and over 100,000 reproductions, we have not has a single case of colours fading, distorting or changing. However, It all depends on the environment where the canvas hangs. Under normal conditions (away from direct sunlight), your canvas is protected for a long time. Our prints are all archival and gallery quality, and the colour will stay vibrant for at least 100 years.
How do I clean my canvas print?Canvas is quite durable. You can dust it with a soft, dry cloth. If your canvas requires deeper cleaning you may try a damp cloth. For acrylic, you can purchase a glass cleaning fluid, though water works as well. Aluminium can be either dusted or wiped down with a semi-wet towel.
Can my prints get scratched?Our acrylics are scratch resistant. An option of resin-coating will make it virtually indestructible. Aluminium may get scratched if you are not careful, and canvas is basically just cloth. If you handle them all with care, you’ll enjoy them for a very long time.
How do I mount my print to my wall?We have a few options for you depending on what you prefer. For our canvases, you can attach nails to your wall and simply hang them by the frame. Otherwise, we can provide a hanger or a sticky Velcro if that is your desired choice. We can even attach a wire at the back of the frame. As for our acrylics and aluminium, they have a mount at the back, and also a wire. Stand offs can be requested to be installed as well.
Do you do matte framing for fine art prints?Yes we do, with both custom sizing and options. Depending on the requirements, it may take up to a week to get them ready for you.
ABOUT THE PHOTOS
How do I bring my photo in to you?You have several options. If you have a digital version available, you can send it via email or put it in a USB and deliver it to our studio. If it is an art piece, you can either take a photo of it, or bring it in to our photographer. If it is an old photo, you can leave it with us – we have a high-resolution scanner that will safely transfer it to our computer. Rest assured that we will treat your picture with the utmost care.
How accurate are your colour prints?Depending on the file, we will advise you on the quality and the outcome ahead of time. We have professional graphic designers and photo editors in-house, and we always love a challenge to improve those not-so-great photos into beautiful art.
How high quality do my photos need to be?There are a few considerations you should keep in mind when submitting a picture to print. Firstly, the size of what you want printed is important, though depending on the medium you want it printed on, it can vary. For example, aluminium is very forgiving to low pixel quality and blurry pictures. Second, whether the picture itself is blurry or out of focus is also something you need to look out for.
So to answer the question, it depends, but let our graphic design team take a look If you have a concern.
Can photos be edited?Absolutely, our capable and talented designers can turn your photos upside down and change colour, background, and anything else you want altered. There is a design fee for alterations that takes into account how extensive the edits become.
Do I bring my own photos, or do you have some of your own?You can either bring in your own pictures that you’ve taken via phone or camera, or choose from the wide variety of stock photos we have in our collection. All of our visuals are for display only, and not for sale. Once you choose a photo, we will acquire the corresponding rights to reproduce it. If you do not see a photo you want, we can help you find the one you want.
I saw a picture on the internet that I really want to have printed…We will do our best to search for the photo that you have specified. If we cannot find it, we will provide other visuals that are similar in style and design.
Can my prints get scratched?Our acrylics are scratch resistant. An option of resin-coating will make it virtually indestructible. Aluminium may get scratched if you are not careful, and canvas is basically just cloth. If you handle them all with care, you’ll enjoy them for a very long time.
How do I mount my print to my wall?We have a few options for you depending on what you prefer. For our canvases, you can attach nails to your wall and simply hang them by the frame. Otherwise, we can provide a hanger or a sticky Velcro if that is your desired choice. We can even attach a wire at the back of the frame. As for our acrylics and aluminium, they have a mount at the back, and also a wire. Stand offs can be requested to be installed as well.
Do you do matte framing for fine art prints?Yes we do, with both custom sizing and options. Depending on the requirements, it may take up to a week to get them ready for you.