FAQ's
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Starter Kit
How long will it take to receive my Starter Kit?
The Printable Kit is emailed to you on the same day if you place your order on a weekday, otherwise, it will arrive the next working day. The Postage Kit is sent via NZ Post and you should receive it within 2-4 business days after payment of your invoice.
What can I include in my art submission?
Your custom book or print can include paintings, drawings and doodles, school artwork, handmade cards, tooth fairy and Santa letters, certificates, report cards, craft objects etc. Please don’t send anything too fragile or valuable that may get damaged in the post. If you have very large artworks or 3D objects these can be photographed and emailed to us (JPEG format please). Also see: 'What else can I include in my book?'
What size items can I send?
The mailing bag in the Starter Kit is sized 65cm x 60cm so it can hold A2 sized materials and smaller. Larger pieces are best to be rolled into a tube, rather than folded. See ‘How do I package up my artwork?’
Can I send digital files of art I have already photographed?
If you no longer have the original artwork, or the piece is too large or fragile, we can use a digital image instead, provided it is of a high quality.
Do you return my Artwork?
Yes of course! Just select the return option on the order form, and we will return your artwork at no extra cost when we send your finished order. Artwork that is not returned is disposed of responsibly and recycled where possible.
Ordering the digital gallery is a great option if you want to safely store your child’s artwork in a digital format to view and use in the future and simplifies the decision to recycle materials instead of returning them, helping reduce clutter!
How do I package up my artwork?
The Postage Starter Kit includes a plastic mailer bag for packaging your artwork. If you have downloaded the Printing Kit, you will need to source your own packaging materials. To avoid bending, you can either place your artwork inside a box before putting it in the mailer bag or insert the mailer bag containing your artwork into a rigid box if the artwork is larger. Alternatively, sandwiching your artwork between two sturdy pieces of thick cardboard, slightly larger than the largest piece, is effective, with a flattened box being a suitable option. It's also important to ensure that the package is showerproof.
For fragile items, use bubble wrap for protection, and for very large artworks, consider rolling them and placing them in tubes to prevent damage. Be sure to securely tape the package and apply "Do Not Bend" stickers. Additionally, please refrain from sending anything overly fragile or valuable that could be damaged during shipping.
Can I send further artwork once you have received my box?
If you discover additional artwork you'd like to include after your initial submission has been received, you can send these at your own cost within an agreed timeframe, typically within 7 days of your initial submission, to avoid incurring extra fees. For specific costs associated with submitting additional pieces of art, please refer to the Full Price List page.
Can I send art from more than one child in the same package?
Yes, you can send items for multiple children in one package, as long as there is enough space. However, you will need one Art Submission Form per Artbook, so please indicate how many forms you need when completing the online order form. It is essential to separate the artwork for each child, such as by bagging each piece individually and clearly labeling them, as mixed-up items may lead to additional administration time and potential charges.
If one Artbook contains materials from multiple children, you can separate the sections using a labeled page as a divider and indicate on the submission form that you would like to divide the book with section headings for each child.
How much time do I have to submit my artwork?
If you've ordered the Postage Starter Kit, we recommend you begin organising your art while waiting for its arrival. Once you place an order for either Starter Kit, we will reach out if your submission hasn't arrived after one month, and if it remains unsubmitted after six months, your order number will become invalid and we will remove your details from our system.
How do I return the art submission?
Please arrange for postage to us using a tracked and signed-for delivery method to prevent loss of items. Avoid sending valuable or very fragile artworks, as they may be damaged or go missing. If you are local, feel free to email or call to set up a specific time to drop off your artwork at our studio in Stanley Point, Auckland.
What happens if I receive the Starter Kit and then change my mind?
If you no longer wish to proceed with your submission, just let us know. We will reach out to you within 4 weeks if we haven't received your artwork, and we kindly ask that you recycle the contents of the pack responsibly. Please note that the cost of the Postage Kit is nonrefundable.
How much will it cost to send the artwork to you?
Customers are responsible for the shipping costs of sending their artwork to us, so we encourage you to check with your post office or courier for estimated shipping costs based on the size and weight of your package before you start packaging your items.
Do you reject any artwork?
We will make every effort to reproduce your artwork; however, there may be instances where we need to decline a piece for scanning or photographing for various reasons. Please be aware that artwork that has been folded or rolled may show some creases, folds, or wrinkles in the final reproduction. While most light creases will be addressed during our editing process, more significant damage may require additional Photoshop work, which could incur extra costs or lead to rejection of the piece at this stage.
Artbook
How much will my book cost?
The cost of your book is determined by the number of art pieces you submit, with each side of a page counting as one piece. Please use a pencil to mark any pages you do not want included, as all submitted pieces will be factored into the final payment. The base cost includes five captions, with additional captions, section titles, and chapters costing $1.00 each. Note that the dedication page, if you choose to include it, counts as one piece. Shipping costs are not included in the book's price; for estimated postage costs, please refer to the section titled "What shipping costs can I expect?"
When do I make the final payment?
Once your artwork has been received, we will send you an invoice. Payments should be made directly into our bank account, using the INVOICE NUMBER as your payment reference. After we confirm receipt of your payment, we will start designing your book.
How much art, is too much?
The number of pieces in your child’s Artbook largely depends on their artwork's size; for instance, a 100-page book can include over 300 small drawings. If the artwork is predominantly large, you might consider creating a second volume to accommodate everything. After we have viewed and digitised the pieces, we will provide guidance on the available options. The maximum page limit for each Artbook is 300 pages.
If you have plenty of artwork but prefer not to include it all, you can request that we select the best pieces for inclusion by noting this on the submission form or emailing us directly.
What is the minimum number of pieces I can include in my book?
Our Artbooks have a minimum of 20 pages, including a dedication page, so we recommend submitting at least 20 pieces of artwork to prevent blank pages. Since a 20-page book can feel quite thin, aiming for at least a 30-page book is advisable. If you have fewer than 20 pieces, you can enhance the book with photos, quotes, favourite recipes, a family tree sketch, or titled or blank placeholder pages for your child to fill in later. Please indicate your preferences on the order form or contact us directly, and you can find examples on the Gallery page of our website.
Can I send items for two books?
Yes, please package and clearly label the two piles of artwork for each book separately. On the Art Submission Form, make sure to indicate that you are ordering two books and specify their titles, such as Volumes 1 and 2. Additionally, refer to the section titled ‘Can the Starter Kit contain more than one child’s art?’ for further guidance.
Can more than one child’s art be in a book?
Yes, our books can accommodate a maximum of 300 pages, showcasing around 500+ artworks. To include multiple children's artwork, please include a chapter page with each child's name to help us organise their submissions. The title of the book can feature all the children's names or just a family name. For additional guidance, refer to the section titled "Can the Shipping Kit contain more than one child’s art?" for details on packaging.
How is artwork laid out?
The layout of your Artbook will be customised to optimally display your submitted pieces, with some artworks displayed on their own pages while smaller or thematically related pieces may be grouped together. As a general guide, at least two-thirds of the pieces will occupy full pages, depending on the original size and final print quality of the artwork; for instance, a 60-70 page book typically accommodates around 100 pieces of art. Additionally, the Art Submission Form allows you to further personalise your book by including sections, chapters, and topic headings.
What can I put on the Opening page?
The opening page is the perfect place to include a personal dedication to your child along with a photo or a favourite piece of artwork. Alternatively, you could choose to include a meaningful quote, a message or funny quote from your child or simply start showcasing the artwork. You can send the written messages with the materials or email them to us at orders@mysmartartbook.co.nz.
Can I add photos to my book?
Absolutely! The book's cost includes one high-resolution photograph for the opening page, which you can email to us with your order number as a reference, or you can include printed photos with your artwork submission. You can also add a dedication to your child, which can be submitted with your materials or emailed separately. Please note that any additional photos will be counted as pieces of artwork, and you may send up to five photos at a time via email to orders@mysmartartbook.co.nz. Remember to obtain permission from anyone in the photographs before sending them.
Can I have the artwork in a specific order?
Yes, you can specify the order of the pieces in chronological order or organise them into chapters or sections on the Art Submission Form. To ensure we follow your desired sequence, please clearly number the back of each piece lightly in pencil with the specific order you want them to appear in your book.
Can I add captions to my book?
Yes, the cost of your book includes five captions. Any additional captions, section titles, or chapters will cost $1.00 each. Captions should be written in pencil on the back of the artwork or underneath the drawing, for example, 'CAPTION: Rainbow, aged 3.'
Will handprints and footprints appear in actual size?
Handprint and footprint artwork may not be printed in their original size due to page layout and image sizing considerations. If you would like these prints to be actual size, please specify your preference by writing a note on your submission form and on the artwork itself.
Will artwork look the same as the original?
We will strive to reproduce your artwork to match the colour quality of the original; however, the final reproductions may appear slightly different due to processing factors. Additionally, for some pieces we may need to enhance the colours to achieve a more vibrant image in the final reproduction or crop artwork to fit a desired layout.
Would it be easier to do myself?
Creating an Artbook for the first time can take about 40 hours and often proves to be more challenging than expected. To address issues like wrinkled paper, grey shadows, muted colours, or distracting backgrounds, we use a combination of scanning, photography, and editing software to ensure the highest quality images. Furthermore, we design beautiful layouts that effectively showcase the artwork, enhancing its overall presentation.
What else can I include in my book?
You can enhance the book with photos, quotes, favourite recipes, a family tree sketch, or titled or blank placeholder pages for your child to fill in later. Please indicate your preferences on the Submission Form or contact us directly, and you can find examples on the Gallery page of our website.
What changes can I make to the proof?
Before printing, you will receive a proof of the Artbook design for your approval. We offer up to five minor adjustments—such as single page layouts, backgrounds, colour choices, fonts, image sizes, and formatting—free of charge. Additional edits will incur a fee of $40 per hour. Please note that we cannot completely redesign the book layout after the proof is sent; for extensive redesigns, kindly email us directly. If we do not receive your final approval within 7 days of the proof submission, production will proceed without your consent, resulting in the book being printed as presented.
When will I receive my Artbook?
Your artbook will be shipped to you approximately 3-6 weeks after we receive your materials. If you require your book by a specific date, please indicate this in the Message section of the online order form or reach out to us at orders@mysmartartbook.co.nz, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Additional copies
Artbooks make for an ideal gift for family members, and when you order your first book, additional copies come with a 50% discount. If you choose to wait until you receive your initial book before ordering more, you'll still benefit from the same 50% discount, though an additional shipping fee will apply. Please note that we store digital files for only three months after your order.
Custom Prints
Can I add a title to a print?
You can personalise the print by adding a title, your child's name, their age, or the year, typically positioned at the bottom of the artwork.
What changes can I make to the proof?
Before printing, you will receive a proof of the finished artwork for your approval, allowing for up to two minor changes, such as edits to the title text, colour, or adjustments to the size or position of an image. Additional amendments are charged at $40/hour. For extensive redesigns, kindly email us directly. If we do not receive your final approval within 7 days of the proof submission, production will proceed without your consent, resulting in the Print being printed as presented.
Are the prints framed?
Our prints are unframed but include a protective backing sheet and plastic sleeve, available in A4, A3, A2, or custom sizes. You can find high-quality wooden frames with glass or perspex at competitive prices from numerous online retailers and stores, making it easy to accommodate your custom size while saving on packaging, shipping costs, and potential damage. You might also consider reusing a frame you already have at home.
How long will my Custom Print last?
Your Giclée print is made with high-quality archival inks and papers. The pigment-based inks provide true colours and last a long time—about 80 years if framed with glass and 50 years without it, under normal conditions. These inks are water-resistant, dry quickly, and stick well to the paper, making them less likely to fade or get damaged by sunlight while keeping their colours strong for years. However, we recommend keeping your print away from direct sunlight to ensure it maintains its vibrant appearance for years to come.