Question 1

How much is delivery?

Accepted Answer

My website prices include delivery costs to UK destinations.

If you prefer to order & pay online & then collect from my space in Red Brick Market, Liverpool - just message me & I can take off postage costs and give you specific information on when to collect.
If you want to buy more than one print, message me before ordering and I can combine delivery costs for you.

If you want your order shipping to any other worldwide destination, just drop me a message  [contact@carolinebenzies.co.uk] and I can give you a shipping price (which will be at cost). I am happy to ship worldwide!  I am based in the UK, so please take into account any additional costs/taxes / tarriffs for your location.

You can also specify a different shipping address to the billing address, to allow you to send prints as a gift (see specific FAQ on sending as a gift)

Question 2

Can you ship to ... ?

Accepted Answer

I get website hits from all over the world (thankyou!) and I am happy to give you a price to ship to any destination.

Have a look on my website & decide the print(s) you would like & whether you want them framed or unframed.  Then contact me to get a shipping price before you order.  Shipping rates are at cost.
 
I am based in the UK, so please consider any additional import costs for your location.

Website prices include delivery to UK destinations.

Question 3

What is a mounted (unframed) print?

Accepted Answer

All of my prints (photo prints & fine art prints) are sold fully mounted.  They come with a pale white acid free  border and a protective backboard behind the print.  This means that you don't need to do anything extra to them, to frame them yourself - simply drop the mounted print straight into an 8", 30cm or 50cm square frame or a 10" x 20" panorama frame.

I use the same colour mounts for all prints - they are acid free (so they won't discolour or damage the print over time) and are custom cut to size.  In addition to the front mount, there is also a sturdy, acid free backboard behind the print - this means that they are great for posting out AND fully protect the print.  All mounting tapes used are also high quality and acid free.  
These prints are high quality & made to last!

The mounts display the handwritten title of the image, the edition number (i.e. 10/50 - the tenth print out of a total print run of fifty) and my name.

Mounted prints are sold in a protective presentation bag, which is recycleable. 
Information about the frame size needed is included with each print.

Question 4

What is a Fine Art Print?

Accepted Answer

Fine art prints are printed to a higher specification than photo prints - it is a specific way of printing that ensures a quality that lasts.  They are also known as giclée prints.
The paper that is used for my fine art prints is a 100% cotton rag paper and is much thicker, with an almost velvet-like surface - this, together with the different professional inks used, means that colours are much richer than a photo print.  The paper used is acid free and highly resistent to fading (although, as with any artwork / print, it is recommended not to hang in areas of strong sunlight / high humidity).
 
Fine art prints have a matt appearance, again making colours richer and deeper.

Any of my images can be printed as fine art prints in my standard sizes - just contact me for details.

Question 5

Can I buy prints in a different size to what's offered on the website?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  (mostly *)
My square prints are in three standard sizes.  
Prices are set depending on the size of print (ie. I don't charge more for custom printing) 
A 5" print could be printed as a 20cm photo print or a 30cm (or Supersize) fine art print. 
A 20cm photo print could be printed as a 5" print or a 30cm (or Supersize) fine art print. 
I've added a larger 'Supersize' option to some of the fine art prints.  This is a larger 40x40cm fine art print, displayed in a 50x50cm mount / frame.  This gives you a larger image but with a narrower border around the print (the same width as the photo prints).

If you would like a Supersize print but it's not shown on the website menu options, just contact me and I can add it on for you.

[ See the 'What is a Supersize print?' FAQ for more details ]

* this would only not be possible if the partiular print had come to the end of the print run in that size - meaning that no more can be printed!

Question 6

What is a 'Supersize' Print?

Accepted Answer

Many people look at my Fine Art prints and ask 'Can I have it bigger?'
I always explain yes, but it puts the price up considerably, as mounts, backs and frames all need to be custom ordered, as well as ordering the larger print itself.

So, to get round this & provide more of a 'routine' large option - I've introduced 'Supersize' fine art prints!  These prints allow you to have a larger (40x40cm)  fine art print but still uses my standard 50x50cm frames & backs - thus reducing the overall price to you!

This means that the prints have a narrower mount border all the way round (as per the photo prints)

The Supersize prints will be custom printed, rather than kept as stock, so please allow a little extra time for your order to be ready.
Select  the 'Supersize' option from the pull down menu when ordering.

In summary : 
Standard fine art prints are 30x30cm print in a 50x50cm mount/frame

Supersize fine art prints are 40x40cm print in a 50x50cm mount/frame

If you would like to order any Supersize print and it's not currently shown on the website, just message me & I'll add the option for you.

Supersize prints will still be numbered editions.

Examples of unframed Supersize 'Summer Blues' and 'City Reflection' fine art prints

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a9167e_39b4e7a4ad38432fbd77992e302fc2e6~mv2.jpg

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a9167e_f698a1f2b8de42c49a8e7b1efc162f87~mv2.jpg

Question 7

How BIG can you go?

Accepted Answer

In theory, any size!

If you want a print that is larger than my standard 50x50cm, please contact me.

Prints can be produced in many sizes but it is the difference in the sizes of the mount & backboard that significantly increases the price on a 'non standard' size,  as these are custom ordered and expensive when bought individually.

I highly recommend that you source your own larger frame before ordering the print, taking into account size/weight of frame and the type of wall it is to be hung on.  I can advise if need be.  Big frames are heavy!

As a rough guide (as of Nov 2023) to increase size to a 50x50cm fine art print in a 70 x 70cm mount :-

50x50cm fine art print in a 70x70cm mount            £95 unframed              
                Gives a 10cm border around the print – overall size 70x70cm

The print would be supplied titled, numbered & signed and fully mounted, ready to be framed.

Note: Above price does not include delivery or framing.

For finished prints larger than 50x50cm, you would need to be able to collect from my unit in Red Brick Market, Liverpool due to packing & courier risks (ie. insurance costs) . Local delivery by myself could be negotiated.

I would  not normally advise a mounted fine art print to be larger than 70x70cm, due to framing/hanging requirements.

It's often better to consider several 50x50cm frames to fill a larger space, rather than one HUGE print!

Question 8

Can I send a print to someone as a gift?

Accepted Answer

Yes! 
Prints can easily be sent to a different address as a gift, without price details and with an enclosed, printed personalised note.

The invoice will be emailed to you, rather than being enclosed with the print.
You can enter a different shipping address to your billing address when ordering.  To include a personalised note, just contact me with the wording & I will enclose it with the print.

You can contact me by the CHAT box on the website, by email or by direct messaging on Facebook or Instagram.

There is no extra charge for this gift service.

Please note : unfortunately I can't guarantee that an order will arrive on a particular day, as I am at the mercy of the postal/courier service but I will do my best!

Question 9

Can you customise a print for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I can make your print even more special if you wish by customising the information on the mount.

Examples of customisation I have done previously include :-

Adding a name to the title eg. City Reflection - for John
Adding a wedding date to the mount  eg.  Celebration    10th June 2023

Adding a birthday message to the mount eg. Happy 18th Jane

Giving you the edition number that is special to you        eg.  40/50 for a 40th Birthday
(note: only if the edition number hasn't been sold already!)

There is not a huge amount of room to play with on the mount but I'll do my best!
Just drop me a message to discuss!

Question 10

Have you got any images of ...  / Do you take commissions?

Accepted Answer

If you are looking for images of any particular location, not on my website - just contact me.

I have lots of images from the North West of England and other parts of the country (Cornwall, Derbyshire, Scotland, Cumbria, London  etc.) not listed on my website, purely due to space, so if you are after something special, just ask!  I take my camera EVERYWHERE I go!

If you are on Instagram or Facebook & follow my pages, most of what I post on either platform would be available as a mounted print in my standard sizes / formats / prices.   The only exceptions would be any images sold as original 1/1 prints or prints that have reached the end of their print runs.

I also take local commissions, so I am happy to (within reason!) photograph somewhere that is special to you and work with you to create a unique piece of art photography.

Question 11

What kind of frames do you use? / Do you only have black frames?

Accepted Answer

For framed prints, the frames I use are black with an acrylic/perspex front (which is safer and lighter for shipping & have less glare when compared to glass).  
All frames are sealed with acid free framing tape on the back, to further protect the print from dust/damp.
 
For prints in a 50x50cm frame (or a panorama frame), the frames are fitted with D rings and picture hanging cord.  
It is recommended that you check the cord to ensure that knots are still secure on a regular basis.
Both the 30x30cm and 8x8" frames come with a metal hanging clip for wall  mounting.  
The 8x8" frames also have a stand on the back, so you have the option of standing them on a surface to display.

The overall size of the fine art prints when framed is 54.5 x 54.5cm
The overall size of the standard size print when framed is 35 x 35cm
The overall size of the smaller size print when framed is 25 x 25cm

When hanging any print, avoid hanging in areas of strong sunlight, high humidity or extremes of temperature.

Framing An Unframed Print Yourself
Although I don't sell a range of different frame colours/designs, my prints are all standard sizes and as such, you should be able to find alternative frames easily.  I can give advice if need be.

You would need an 8", 30cm or 50cm square frame for my square prints and a 20"x 10" for an unframed panorama print.  This information is included when you buy an unframed print.

As all of my prints are fully mounted (front and back), they can simply be dropped straight into a frame of your choice, without the need for extra mounts or protection.

Avoid touching the print itself when framing & handle it by the edges of the mount.

Question 12

Frame Care

Accepted Answer

It is recommended that frames are gently dusted with a soft, dry, non abrasive cloth.  
Avoid using cleaning sprays.

For the larger (50x50cm and panorama) frames that are hung using picture cord, it is recommended that you check the hanging cord on a regular basis, as knots can loosen over time.

Avoid hanging any artwork in areas of direct sunlight, high humidity or extreme temperatures.

Question 13

How environmentally friendly is your business?

Accepted Answer

I try to be as environmentally conscious as possible with my business.

The presentation bags used for all sizes of unframed prints are recycleable,  as are all the paper information slips which are supplied with unframed prints.

I use paper bags when I sell in person at events - these can be easily recycled. 
In the event of rainy days (!) I do substitute these for recycleable plastic bags, which I hope you will re-use /recycle.

Packaging received from my mount/print/frame suppliers all gets recycled or re-used when I send out orders.

Question 14

How can I buy from you in Red Brick Market, Liverpool?

Accepted Answer

Red Brick Market in Liverpool is open every day 10am - 6pm and on Sundays we open an hour later 11am - 6pm.  
My unit can be found near the main doors, walk straight in and bear slightly left to go down the aisle to the right of the music T shirts - my unit is the first on the right hand side.

When I'm not there, you can browse and select either framed prints or pick unframed prints from the boxes/baskets.  Then take the prints to the main desk, near the main doors. Please note the desk does not accept cash, only card/contactless.

When I am in the unit, I'm happy to accept cards or cash.

I try and keep the unit as well stocked as space allows, but if you are going with the aim to buy a specific print, you can message me first if you want to check that it's still in my unit.  I have CCTV, so it's easy for me to check remotely what's in there!

Location map & address details are on the Home page of the website.

Question 15

I have another query that's  not listed here!

Accepted Answer

If you have any other questions :

Email me ( contact@carolinebenzies.co.uk (contact@carolinebenzies.co.uk)) or use the contact form on the home page of the website.

You can also message me using the chat box (bottom corner of the website) - please remember to leave your email address so that I can message you back!