To order a custom piece of word art from The Word Bird all you need to do is...
make a list of words,
choose a shape,
pick some colours and a size and you're done!
The list
The prices include up to 150 words and every word on your list counts as a word. You don't have to get to 150 but I think it needs to have about 60-80 to be interesting. You'll be surprised how quickly you get there and I have pointers at the end to help you. The words can repeat to fill the shape and this is part of the style of word clouds. If you don't want any repeats you'll need to have around 120 items on your list (that may total a lot more words than 120). You can have up to about 300 words just note that every 20 more words above the 150 is an additional €5.
What you need to do is set out your list of words in a text doc or typed straight into the email, like a shopping list in a long line going down the page. I'll copy and paste it so only put in the list what you want in the picture.
Put the most important things at the top of the list. The first thing on your list will go into the centre, the next 8 things or so will be the next biggest and spread throughout the picture. After that it's a random falling into place where the words have to go to make the best shape.
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% of your list should be single words or two word compounds. Some 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. Its 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
There are lots of examples dotted round my site to give you some ideas. You're welcome to suggest something new. The shape 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!
Colours of text and orientation.
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, most other shapes work best with a mix of horizontal and vertical.
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 groups of family names have to be equal. Generally though the designs work out just fine with a couple of tweaks and no extra work is needed.
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. 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 about three weeks.
Postage
Postage within Ireland is €10 for the 11”squares and for the 13” squares and smaller of the two 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. 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.
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?
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.
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.
make a list of words,
choose a shape,
pick some colours and a size and you're done!
The list
The prices include up to 150 words and every word on your list counts as a word. You don't have to get to 150 but I think it needs to have about 60-80 to be interesting. You'll be surprised how quickly you get there and I have pointers at the end to help you. The words can repeat to fill the shape and this is part of the style of word clouds. If you don't want any repeats you'll need to have around 120 items on your list (that may total a lot more words than 120). You can have up to about 300 words just note that every 20 more words above the 150 is an additional €5.
What you need to do is set out your list of words in a text doc or typed straight into the email, like a shopping list in a long line going down the page. I'll copy and paste it so only put in the list what you want in the picture.
Put the most important things at the top of the list. The first thing on your list will go into the centre, the next 8 things or so will be the next biggest and spread throughout the picture. After that it's a random falling into place where the words have to go to make the best shape.
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% of your list should be single words or two word compounds. Some 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. Its 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
There are lots of examples dotted round my site to give you some ideas. You're welcome to suggest something new. The shape 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!
Colours of text and orientation.
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, most other shapes work best with a mix of horizontal and vertical.
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 groups of family names have to be equal. Generally though the designs work out just fine with a couple of tweaks and no extra work is needed.
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. 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 about three weeks.
Postage
Postage within Ireland is €10 for the 11”squares and for the 13” squares and smaller of the two 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
