Q. What kind of printing do you do?
A. We specialize only on Giclée printing; Fine art digital reproduction with a focus on serving artists, photographers, digital illustrators, and designers. We print the absolute best quality, museum grade, gallery ready, archival digital reproductions available.

Q. What does “Giclée” mean??
A. “Giclée” (Jee-clay) is a fancy French word that is meant to imply a top-quality digital reproduction. The important elements of a print that make it a “giclée” are that it was printed with a commercial inkjet printer, using pigment based inks on an archival substrate. Giclée prints are designed to resist aging for hundreds of years, and in the meantime, they look super 4K slick. It is the best option modern technology has for digitally reproducing artwork.

Q. Do you do business cards, greeting cards, post cards, foldouts, t-shirts, stickers, decals, etc.
A. I’m sorry, but we don’t. We specialize only in giclée prints.

Q. Do you ship?
A. Yes! But only within the USA, United States. Sorry, no international. Shipping/ pick-up options are available at checkout.

Q. Do you offer local pick-up?
A. Yes! the pick-up option is located in the same place you would otherwise enter your shipping address during the checkout process.

Q. Where can I find info and details about the different papers / canvas available to print on?
A. Click here: PAPER/MEDIA

Q. How long will it take to fill my order?
A. Usually 3-5 business days. Very large order's can take a little longer. Time frames may extend during peak season (summer/ Xmas time). If you need a rush order, we might be able to accommodate it for a 15% surcharge.

Q. I don’t know the size of my image file. How do I know how large of a print I can get?
A. If you look up the information of your file (right click) it should give you the size in pixels. Compare those pixels with our SIZE GUIDE for more info.

Q. What if my image files are not exactly the size of the prints I’ve selected?
A. We will scale your images to best fit the print size you’ve selected, while working within your specific instructions.

Q. How can I visually check the resolution quality of my image file?
A. Open your file and zoom in to 100%. If it looks good here, it will look good printed at whatever dimensions you are viewing it at.

Q. Who is responsible for the quality of my image file?
A. You are. And we will try our best to work with what you got.

Q. I don’t yet have a digital file of my drawing / painting. Can you make giclée prints out of my original artwork?
A. Yes! First, you need to get your artwork digitally captured. This service is offered in-house using our ultra high-resolution system built around the 50.6 megapixel Canon 5Ds. (Click here to request an appointment)

Q. How much does it cost to scan/ photograph/ digitize artwork?
A. Imaging service = Master file + Web file + Test print (includes image file processing)
$50 - For artworks under 16” x 20”
$75 - For artworks 16” x 20” and over

Q. Why is digital imaging important?
A. Well for one: it’s an absolute necessity for giclée printing. Two: you will need a digital image to get your artwork viewable online. And three: for archiving artwork. This process (if professionally done) is a one time, up front cost that will give you an archival quality master file that you can always have and use forever and ever.

Q. Why is digital imaging kinda expensive?
A. Image quality is on a spectrum, and there are many considerations that go into the imaging process. Here are a few: resolution, lighting, color calibration, distortion, chromatic aberration, post processing of levels, gamma, contrast, saturation, etc. It takes proper equipment, studio space, and experience to achieve an exceptional image file. Depending on your goals, you need to decide where on the quality spectrum you would be satisfied. Our imaging service aims for excellence.

Q. Should I get my original artwork professionally photographed? Or can I make prints with the picture I took of it w/ my phone?
A. This depends of what your goals are. In our opinion, if you want to sell you prints and/or digitally archive your artwork, then you should get it professionally digitized. But if you just want to make a few prints for yourself and your friends, then you might be able to get away with taking a picture with whatever camera you have laying around, or in your pocket.

Q. I’ve been trying so hard to take a good picture of my artwork, but it just isn’t ever coming out right. Why isn’t it working??
A. Because imaging artwork isn’t easy. It sounds like you need professional help. If you are local to the SF Bay Area, contact us to bring in your artwork and get it done right. If you too far away, look for a professional “art specific” photographer near you.

Q. When I drop off my artwork to be scanned/ photographed, how long does it take to get my artwork back?
A. Typically, about a week.

Q. What about using an at-home scanner to digitize my artwork?
A. Actually, most modern at-home scanners are very good at imaging. If your artwork fits, or you know how to use it to stitch a composite image, this can work very well for smaller artworks (depending on the artwork medium). I recommend the Epson V600 photo scanner.

Q. Do I need to worry about imaging if my artwork was created digitally?
A. Besides final formatting (scaling, cropping), then no. Digital artwork is already digital and ready to upload for giclée printing.

Q. How do I setup, format, and edit my digital files?
A. You will need some basic image editing software. I use and recommend Adobe Photoshop for the needs of most artists. It is an essential program that is capable of many things. A general familiarity with its basic tools will be sufficient for most editing and formatting that you would normally need to do.

Q. My artwork is in a frame and I need to bring it in for imaging. What should I do?
A. If you need to take the artwork out of a frame to get it photographed, it would be best to take your piece to a frame shop where they have all the tools to get in there. Although it’s not ideal, as the glass can be an issue, it may be possible to photograph artwork inside the frame.

Q. Can I setup multiple, various images onto one large print and have EBG cut it up into the smaller prints?
A. You can setup your image/s however you want to. If it fits, it prints. However, EBG will only trim the print to the selected size that is ordered.

Q. What kind of artwork do you usually work with?
A. Digital Art (Procreate, Adobe, Coral, etc); Analog Art (oils, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, ink, graphite, collage, etc); and Digital Photography.

Q. What are Bag and Boards (BnB’s)?
A. BnB’s are individual packaging for your prints. The bags are acid free, archival, crystal clear polypropylene with a re-closable adhesive flap seal. The backing boards are 4-ply, ph-neutral, white, and made from 100% recycled fiber. We recommend using BnB’s for prints that are going to be handled, displayed for retail, shipped, or anything other than going straight into a frame.

Q. Do you do framing, mounting, or stretching of the prints?
A. I’m sorry, but no. We don’t offer any finishing services. As a focused operation, all we currently do here is the printing of prints. But I’m sure that your local frame shop would be happy to help you in this regard.

Q. How do I place an order?
A. If you need standard size prints, the easiest way to place an order is by using this link: PRINTS
But if you are in need of custom size prints, then use this link: CUSTOM

Q. Where are your prices?
A. Here: PRICE LIST

Q. How can I send an image file to be looked at and analyzed?
A. Upload your file using this link: FILE UPLOAD
Then use this contact link to write us a message detailing your hopes and dreams: CONTACT

Q. How big can you print?
A. Currently, up to 44” x 54”

Q. What is the deal with “standard” print sizes?
A. These common sizes are the industry standard. It is much easier to find frames, matting, packaging, shipping supplies, etc. for these standard sizes. And this makes logistics easy for you and your patrons. I do recommend printing in a standard size if possible. Hot Tip: Adding borders to your image can help wrangle an odd size into a standard size footprint.

Q. My image dimensions are only slightly different from the standard size prints offered here. Do I have to place a custom order??
A. Not necessarily. If your image dimensions fit within the footprint of a standard size, you can order that standard size print and select “trim to my unique image size” in the specifications form, which will come up during the ordering process.

Q. What about if I have an “in-between size” that I want to print?
A. For in-between sizes, use the “STANDARD SIZE” ordering tab and select the next size up (For example: If you want 8.5” x 11” prints, then use the 9” x 12” tab to submit your order). You can choose to trim the prints to your unique dimensions.

Q So when would I use the CUSTOM order tab?
A. When your image dimensions are not even close to the standard sizes offered in the PRINTS ordering tab.

Q. But what if my artwork / images are totally unique dimensions?
A. That’s totally fine! Just use the “CUSTOM” tab to submit your order. Please be aware that there is a $100 order minimum (or $20 setup fee) for custom orders.

Q. I ordered the wrong size frames for my prints. Can you reprint my order to match the frames?
A. Yes we can. But you will have to place a new order.

Q. Do you have any order minimums?
A. There is a $35 total order minimum. But for custom orders, it is a $100 minimum. And prints are sold in sets of 1, 2, 3, or 4, depending on the particular print size. That’s all.

Q. Can I come by for a consultation?
A, Absolutely! Our shop is open by appointment only, so please contact us first to schedule a visit.

Q. Can I order test prints?
A. Yes. I always suggest that for anyone concerned with their image files, they should order smaller test prints before printing a full order. You can know a lot from even a small 6”x 8” print. You will see how well the color, contrast, brightness, and even resolution turn out on a particular paper / media. And from that information, you can make adjustments to the final order. Use this link: TEST PROOFS

Q. How should I set my files up for printing?
A. Your files should be cropped to the largest size that you want printed, @ 300 ppi resolution, and saved as a .tiff, .psd, or even a .jpeg / .jpg works well too. Most file types will be accepted.

Q. Full Bleed -vs- borders?
This is artistic decision that you have to make. Full-bleed means that your image runs all the way to the edge of your print. Having a 1/8” white border along the outside leaves a little room for matting and framing. Some artists prefer an even larger border for aesthetic reasons. Whichever way you prefer, it would be best for you to set the borders up yourself so that you have control of, and know exactly what you are getting. You may have to make slight cropping decisions to get your image to fit perfectly within a print with borders.

Q. Does adding borders increase the size of the print?
A. No. The size of the print you order is the size that you will get. Your image size will decrease within the selected print size to accommodate borders. If you do not want to shrink your image, consider ordering the next size up. (Example: an 11” x 14” print would be good for a 9” x 12” image with 1” borders.)

Q. Borders “Let the Printmaster decide what is best”?
A. During your ordering process you will have the option to let us decide if-and-what size borders would seem appropriate for your images. Sometimes adding borders helps to center you image nicely. If you don’t really know what you are doing, or you prefer to let us decide what would work best, then it might be to your advantage to select this option.

Q. Cut and Trim “Let the Printmaster decide what is best”?
A. Here you have the option to choose the exact dimensions of your print. If your image size is not exactly the same as the “standard size” ordered, we can either trim the print to match your exact image size, or we can cut the print to the standard size that you ordered. In the later case, adding a small border will also help to center the image within the actual standard print size. If this is too much to think about, you can again let us decide to set it up as best we can. This is often the best option if you don’t have a particular request otherwise.

Q. Are there additional fees to setup, scale, trim, or add borders to my prints?
A. No.

Q. What do you do with my files after printing?
A. Usually we keep a folder with your images set up and formatted in case you want to print again in the future. But if we don’t hear from you in 6 months or so, we delete your folder. For regular clients, we definitely keep a folder for you.

Q. Should I flatten the layers in my image file before uploading?
A. Yes!! Please, Yes!!

Q. Should my color file be in RGB or CMYK?
A. RGB, since this is the digital color language.

Q. I’m not familiar with the paper choices, can you help me with that?
A. Of course. We can always help you choose a paper that’s right for your artwork. Technically, no one choice is better than the rest; It’s all about personal preference. Here’s a link with info: PAPER / MEDIA

Q. Why do I have to order prints in specific sets?
A. In order to keep your cost down, we need to print efficiently. These sets make it so that there is very little waste of the expensive papers and media.

Q. Do you offer to stretch canvas prints onto stretcher bars
A. I’m sorry, but we don’t offer canvas stretching.

Q. Can you print on plywood, glass, t-shirts, or other odd things?
A. Sorry, but no. Our equipment is sensitive, so we don’t subject it to experimental printing. Other print shops may be setup for a different kind of print process, but we focus on fine art digital reproduction. We can print on a wide variety of papers and canvas from these brands: Epson, Moab, Hahnemuhle, & Canson.

Q. Can I leave my artwork at the printshop and use the space as art storage?
A. No. We cannot hold onto your artwork that was brought in here for digital imaging indefinitely. If you cannot pick up your artwork within a week of receiving a message that your imaging is done and ready to pick up, you may be charged $10 a day/ piece as a storage fee. Especially for large paintings and such.

Q. Where are you located?
A. 6050 Lowell st. #208 in Oakland, California 94608

Q. Can I bring you anything?
A. Cookies

Q. Do you have any social media?
A. Yes, please tag your prints @eastbaygiclee
Instagram
Facebook

Q. Can I get a discount?
A. YES!!
5% Discount for orders over $150 - Enter (5%OFF) at checkout
10% Discount for orders over $500 - Enter (10%OFF) at checkout
20% Discount for orders over $1,000 - Enter (20%OFF) at checkout
25% Discount for orders over $2,500 - Enter (25%OFF) at checkout
30% Discount for orders over $5,000 - Enter (30%OFF) at checkout

Q. Where can I give EBG a raving five-star review?
A. Thank you!! That is one of the best ways to help this little business grow, and it is very much appreciated.
Google Review
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Q. Where can I get answers to questions I don’t see here?
A. Use this contact link below to fill out a form and ask all the questions your heart desires. A very wise print sage will get back to you soon.