HOW TO ORDER
Once you’re ready you can email me at susan@thewordbird.eu In this email you should put:-
-The list of words
-The shape you'd like
-The colours & orientation you'd like for the text
-The size and colour of frame
-The date you need your picture for and whether it needs posting.
(all these are explained below)
It’s really helpful to me if we keep the same email thread going by replying to it when getting in touch as then I can check back over all the details. You can call me on 087 643 4664 but you’d be well advised to send an email through afterwards with anything I’ve said yes to....head like a sieve.... Similarly if you think I’ve been a bit quiet for too long, do drop me a line!
THE LIST
The prices above include up to 150 words, you can add more but it adds €5 for every 20 more words. You don't have to get to 120 but I think it needs to have about 60-80 to be interesting. A lot of shapes will happily hold 200 - 300 or so words. If you really don’t want the words to be repeated in your picture you will need to have about 250 words in your list.
What you need to do is set out your list of up to 150 words (or more) in a text doc or typed straight into the email, like a shopping list in a long line going down the page. Put the most important things at the top of the list. The first thing on your list will go into the centre, the first 8 or so will be biggest and spread throughout the pic, after that it's a random falling into place where the software finds the best fit for the words to make the best shape. Unless you have about 300 words, repetition is almost always needed to get the very best shape and density. I'll copy and paste your list so it will be as it is, so only put in it what you want to be in the picture. Any punctuation, asterix, uppercase letters, explanations, bullet points, etc in your list will go into your picture.
The list needs to have a lot of single words to be able to make the curves of any shape - probably in the region of 80%. Some short phrases are fine too but too many will mean only a square will work! The word total for the list is 150 so bear in mind that phrases add a lot of words. The tree is one of the best shapes for holding a good mix of phrases and single words. It’s edges are slightly raggedy which is very forgiving and makes the tree the ideal shape for family pictures where sayings and phrases need to go in along with all the names.
THE SHAPE
The standard ones are all tried and trusted and they hold their words well. You can explore other shapes by googling your idea as a silhouette in the images setting. Not all shapes work - it has to be something that is recognised from its black silhouette. Fine lines aren’t a great success as the words have to shrink to a really small size to make them and the software will shrink all the words to that size making the picture a mass of tiny words! Images with a lot of important inner detail don’t work as that all gets wiped out. Feel free to send me silhouettes to look at, but to work with them they need to be royalty and copyright free. One-off designs are an extra €10.
COLOURS & ORIENTATION OF TEXT
A mix of colours works well for the text as it helps to separate out the words from each other and creates interest. Pale colours and yellows aren’t great against the white paper, all other colours are super. White text on a coloured background is another option and it adds €10-€20 to the price depending on the size. The orientation is sometimes dictated by the list or the shape but other times it’s possible to choose whether you’d like the text all horizontal or a mix of vertical and horizontal. The tree is always horizontal.
FRAMES
The colours you can choose are off white or black. All the frames are wooden, handmade frames and are made locally in Co Wicklow. I keep a range of the squares in stock but non square shapes get ordered to fit the print which is no problem at all but it can add to the time frame. All the mounts are bright white. The mounts, ink and paper are of archival quality which means they won’t fade or discolour.
TIME FRAME
Usually I have a waiting list of about two to three weeks but do say if you need it sooner and I’ll see what I can do, although the tightest turn around is about 5 days. If your design needs a frame made specially for it then I’d recommend three weeks.
POSTAGE
Postage within Ireland is €10 for the 11”squares and for the 13” squares and smaller rectangles. I’m afraid the 15” squares and large rectangles don’t post safely. Neither An Post nor the couriers will insure the glass and while I pack it all up extremely well, I don’t take liability for its safe arrival. Collection from me in Greystones is the safest option if you’re close enough to drop by. I work from home so I’m here a lot. Overseas orders are probably best posted mounted or in a tube although the 11” frame usually is safe enough and it posts abroad for €15.
Unframed prints can post in a tube to Ireland for €5.00, and everywhere else in the world for €6. Design and print prices for those start at €45.
PROOFING
Before I print I email it back to you to check over. The price includes 2 or 3 small tweaks at the proofing stage. More switching and re-sizing can be done and that’s charged on a time basis. The ones that tend to get dear are the pictures where there are lots of family names that all have to be equal so nobody’s nose is put out of joint. The reconfiguring of the names can take hours to get them the right size while keeping the shape with no big gaps, and they can easily go over €120. Some people choose to let Aunt Mabel take a little offence instead:) Similarly ones done from a class of children to a teacher where all their names need to be the same size can get quite pricey. Generally though the designs work out just fine with a couple of tweaks and no extra work is needed.
PAYMENT
Payment is by cash, credit card, Revolut, bank transfer or cheque on collection, or Paypal/bank transfer or cheque if it’s being posted. I can’t take credit cards over the phone, only in person.
BIC BOFIIE2DXXX
IBAN IE38BOFI90113284821833
Revolut name is - @susanmvg
PRIVACY
I keep copies on file of all the prints so that they can be added to or altered and reprinted if needed. I delete all the lists and emails once the picture has been collected. I never put a readable picture up online without permission. I love putting them up on my social media though so please get in touch or mention to me if it’s ok to put your one up - or send me a photo of it in your home which I can pop up.
Why would my picture cost more than the prices above?
- If you’ve added more words to the list than 150 - every additional 20 words are another €5.
- If you’ve wanted a lot of tweaking to the picture - a couple of tweaks are included but lots of manual sizings and placings of words is very slow, or trying to place a big word in when the design is finished will add to the cost.
- You’ve chosen a coloured background, that adds around €10-€15 more.
- -You’ve chosen a one off design.
- You’ve gone off the scale and chosen something massive!
For those who nodded off half way
The gist is €70 gets you an 11” framed picture with up to 150 words and a couple of tweaks. Set the list out in a long line going down the page with the most important things at the top - things at the top will come out biggest. Email me the list with your choice of shape, text colour, frame size and frame colour (susan@thewordbird.eu) Wait 2-3 weeks for a proof. Wait a few more days for it to be framed. Be incredibly happy with the result :)
Susan 087 6434664.
