How to Order a Custom Piece
Now that you've decided to have a custom Watercolor Digital Art Print (WDAP) or an Acrylics and Oil Pastel Portrait (AOPP) created of your furry (or feathered, scaled, etc.) friend, all you need to do is follow these simple steps below!
01
Select a Photo
The key to a great WDAP or AOPP is the right image in which to work from; clear, sharp, close-up photos that show detail and expression in your pet’s face, work the best. The better the quality of the photo, the more detail I can see, hence, the better the portrait. See photo tips and requirements here
Do you already have a favorite photo that captures the personality of your pet that you would like to use? Great! Do you have a few different photos and cannot decide? No problem! You can send up to four (4) images and I will help determine which image will work the best. Do you want your custom piece to have more than one pet in the image, but do not have a photograph with both animals together? No problem! You can send separate photos of each animal and I will construct the image to appear as if they were meant to be together. If you plan to take a photo specifically for this art piece, please be sure to follow the photo tips and requirements in the above link.
If you need to snail mail your photograph(s) in lieu of emailing*, please write to me here for a mailing address. Your photos will be returned with the finished piece.
NOTE: I cannot use any pictures taken by a professional photographer without written permission from the photographer.
Inspired by Cooper & Elliott retains the reproduction rights on all of the original art work it creates. While the snapshot’s copyright belongs to you (the pet owner), once it is transformed into an original piece of art work, Inspired by Cooper & Elliott retains the copyright on the new original art work created from that image. All images created by Inspired by Cooper & Elliott will be placed in the Image Gallery for reproduction as prints or on merchandise.
*There is an additional $15 charge for photos that are sent via the mail that need to be scanned.
02
Complete the Order Form
Please select the Order Form button below and it will take you to an online form with "fill in sections" and "drop down menus" to choose certain details and items. This Order Form is used for all items being ordered from Inspired by Cooper & Elliott, not just a custom piece.
Fill out the sections that are applicable to your order and select "submit" at the end of the form. You will receive an acknowledgement that your submission was received.
Within the form you will be able to attach one photo. Please be sure it is 1MB at 300dpi resolution (be sure to check out photo requirements and tips here). If you are sending more than one photo, or your photo is larger than 1MB, please leave the photo option blank on the Order Form and send it regular email to HERE. Please be sure that your email includes your name, what you ordered and the date you submitted your Order Form. If you are sending your photo(s) by snail mail, please be sure to include a copy of the order form or a note with your name, what you ordered and the date you submitted your Order Form.
03
Invoice & Payment
After receiving your Order Form and photo(s), it will be reviewed. If more information is needed, or I have questions about the order (or the photos), you will be contacted either via email or phone to further discuss. If there are no questions, or once I feel confident that I have all of the right information, an invoice will be generated based on the Order Form and sent to you to review.
A 30% deposit (before shipping and handling charges, but with tax if applicable) is required before work begins. The deposit is non-refundable. If you are not ordering a custom piece, but are ordering a print from the Image Gallery and/or an Image Gallery image on merchandise, full payment is due with invoice.
Payment options are as follows:
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PayPal: Payments can be made online via PayPal. PayPal accounts are free and there is no charge for using this service to make a purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account and do not wish to sign up for a free one, no problem - you can still pay online through this service. Your invoice will have a link “view and pay the invoice”; the link will lead you to options "pay via PayPal" or “use a debit or credit card”. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are all accepted. This payment service is all powered by PayPal which uses highly secure, industry-leading technology to keep your information safe.
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Chase Quick Pay: If you bank with Chase, you can make your payment online via Chase Quick Pay. You can also use this option if you don't bank with Chase, you would have to enroll (for free) to use the service). If you prefer to use Chase Quick Pay as your method of payment, you will make the payment to inspiredbyCE@gmail.com. Click here to learn more about Chase Quick Pay.
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Check or Money Order: You may mail a check or money order. If you choose to make a payment by mail, the check should be made out to Deborah Ervin (please email me here for the mailing address). Please note that if sending a personal check, work will not begin until the deposit clears, and the finished piece will not be delivered until the balance check clears.
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Cash or credit card swipe: If you live in the Chicago area, and prefer the "cash payment method", cash is always welcome! We can make arrangements to meet at a convenient location. Please do not send cash in the mail.
The balance, shipping, handling and tax (if applicable) is due before your final piece is shipped. I will email a small thumbnail image of the finished image for your approval prior to having it framed and shipped. NOTE: The balance includes any additional Image Gallery prints and/or merchandise in your original order form.
The Creative Begins!
Your custom WDAP or AOPP will be started after the deposit is received and any outstanding questions/issues are resolved.
The turn-around time for your piece really depends on the amount of orders I have in-house at the moment. However, custom WDAPs usually are completed and ship out within 2 to 3 weeks and custom AOPPs usually are completed and ship out within 3 to 4 weeks.*
Once your custom WDAP or AOPP is complete, I will email a small image of the finished work to you. If there are minor tweaks that you would like, I will make them before sending to print (WDAP only) or applying a final fixative (AOPP only). I want you to be happy with your finished piece!
*Note: If you are ordering merchandise (i.e. T-shirt, bag, etc.) with your custom piece's image on it, it will take an additional 7-9 business days to be produced after you approve the final custom piece.
04
Delivery
Once you approve your custom piece via the emailed small image, the balance of your invoice is due. Your custom piece will be completed - WDAPs will be sent to be giclee printed, matted (and framed if applicable); AOPPs will be sprayed with fixative, matted (and framed if applicable).
If your piece is being shipped, it will be safely packaged and mailed to you. If physical photographs were supplied in lieu of being sent electronically, they will be returned in the same package as your custom piece. If you ordered your new custom piece image on merchandise, the merchandise will be mailed in the same package.