Help & FAQs

What type of art prints do you sell?

Encore Editions is an online art gallery offering custom fine art giclée prints on canvas, matte and luster papers or greeting cards. Clients can purchase our fine art prints framed, gallery wrapped or rolled in a tube. Every one of our prints and greeting cards is custom printed to order by our artists on site in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. We do not mass produce our prints in a factory, buy them from anyone else or import them. We also do not hand paint our artwork because we believe that the integrity of the original work is retained through digital printing rather than trusting an interpretation of another artist. 

What is a "giclée" print on canvas?

A giclée print is perfect for clients who want to have the look of a genuine work of art for a fraction of the cost of an original. Giclées are extremely high quality digital art prints produced with archival quality inks, artist’s canvas and papers to replicate original works of art. We produce only giclée prints using the highest quality materials available in the industry. Unlike our competition, we strictly use the direct printing method, rather than a canvas transfer process. We also offer a brushstroke coating option to subtly mimic the brushwork texture of an original painting. The brushstroke coating is a medium-bodied, clear satin coating that is hand applied in a random manner by our artists using an artist’s brush.

Do you appraise original art?

No. While we offer thousands of fine art prints by a large variety of artists we unfortunately cannot appraise originals. We strictly sell prints from digital files and do not handle original works of art. We cannot provide historical or provenance information for the images on our site or artwork in your possession. Please contact an auction house or appraisal service for more information.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship all over the world and the shipping charge for your country will be updated during the checkout process. Please note that there may be incurred duties and/or taxes once the package arrives in your country. Unfortunately, we cannot provide an estimate of these charges ahead of time. Also, any package can be subject to customs delays, despite the selected shipping method. We cannot be held responsible for an international shipment once it has left the United States. First Class Mail International does not offer door-to-door tracking and usually does not update once a package departs the United States. Delivery time for USPS First Class Package International Service is typically 4 weeks.

What is archival fine art paper?

We offer all of our prints in various sizes on our archival fine art paper. This 300g, bright white, water-resistant textured matte paper is a 50/50 blend of cotton and the highest quality acid free and lignin free alpha cellulose. Printing on our fine art paper tends to produce vibrant colors, suited to works with stronger coloring, and also works well with our older equine, landscape and canine prints. Fine art paper is best suited for framing and mounting behind glass. For clients who want the look of an original oil or watercolor, framed without glass, we recommend our giclée canvas prints.

Do I need "brushstroke coating" for canvas prints?

Once we have mechanically printed on the canvas, you may instruct our artists to randomly hand apply a clear acrylic brushstroke coating by hand to the print to give the print some of the texture of an original oil or watercolor painting. This is really a matter of personal preference. Clients who prefer their prints "flatter" (i.e., without any additional brushwork texture) should leave the brushstroke coating option unchecked. This would be particularly true when purchasing a canvas print from an original photograph, where brushstrokes would not be appropriate.

What is a "stretched" Giclée Canvas Print? When and why do I need to have my canvas print stretched?

In order to frame a giclée canvas print, the canvas needs to be given a structure and made taut (similar to the skin of a drum), so that it does not simply hang loose in the frame.

At Encore Editions we offer these options:

1) Printed & Rolled - we send the canvas to you rolled and unstretched in a tube to be stretched by your local framer

2) Classic Stretch - we stretch your canvas print over an internal wooden ‘stretcher frame’ that we build and send to you ready for framing

3) Gallery Wrapped - we send the canvas to you "gallery wrapped" (see below)

4) Add a Frame - we stretch and frame your print in any of our museum quality frames

Please keep in mind, if you purchase the canvas without stretching (unstretched, option 1) you will need a quality local frame shop to stretch or mount your canvas print before it can be framed. Please be aware that a small portion of the print will be under the "rabett" and not visible from the front of the framed art. We do everything possible to avoid crucial element from being disturbed.  

What is "gallery wrapping"? When should I ask you to "gallery wrap" my canvas print?

"Gallery wrapping" - sometimes called “Museum wrapping” - allows you to hang a print unframed as a ‘finished’ panel on your wall.

When we gallery wrap a canvas print we follow the exact same process as when we stretch a canvas print (see above). The difference is that when we gallery wrap a print we either create a block of color along the edges of the stretcher frame or we ‘bleed’ the painting around the edges of the stretcher frame, so that the stretched print can be hung as a panel on the wall without showing any stapled white canvas along the side edges. See our gallery wrapped canvas technique here:

It is therefore unnecessary to gallery wrap a print if you know for certain that you intend to frame it, because the sides of the stretched canvas that will be framed will always be completely hidden by the frame.

However, you can easily later frame a gallery wrapped print; if you think you might like the flexibility of hanging the print framed or unframed then order a gallery wrapped print.

Do you send samples?

You may contact us for a small sample pack. Sample packs are mailed in the domestic US via First Class mail within 48-72 hours of the request.

What are your greeting card options?

Our greeting cards are digital offset printed on brilliant white, heavy cardstock with a smooth finish. The 5 x 7 inch folded cards are offered in quantities of 10 or 20, come with matching envelopes and 20 or more with a craft box. 

The size of the printed image on the face of the folded cards is 4.25 inches x 6.25 inches, leaving a small border surrounding the image on the front of each card. Due to the unusual proportions of the original paintings, some of our images may need to be cropped to fit on the face of the card. 

How do you print posters?

We print directly on to the surface of our high-quality satin photo paper (9 mil thick).

What does "archival" mean?

We use the term ‘archival’ to describe our fine art prints, because we only print on fine art paper, card stock and canvas which does not contain chemicals (usually chlorine) which result in deterioration or discoloration of the print over time. We also use ‘archival’ inks in all of our printing. Our archival inks are guaranteed not to fade or deteriorate for over one hundred years indoors, unless subjected to extreme conditions. Utilizing the best methods and materials possible ensures that our prints are enjoyed for generations to come.

Will my print look exactly as it appears on the screen?

Due to varying resolutions and color settings on monitors and devices, there may be slight differences in color and value from your screen and the final print product.

Tell me more about the quality of your frames.

All of our photo and non-ornate frames are constructed using solid wood. Each frame is custom cut, joined and assembled for each and every order. We sell many of our frames to art galleries and artists for framing original oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, as well as for framing our prints.

How do you send me the electronic TIFF or JPEG image file that I have purchased from you?

We send any purchases of digital images via WeTransfer, a file transfer service.  A link is sent to the email address you provide and then can be downloaded for your personal use. 72dpi - 8x10 print and 300dpi -11x14. Files are sent within 24 hours of purchase. There are no refunds on digital files. 

I cannot find the print that I want on your website. Can you help?

We will certainly make every effort to do so. Our website collection is a work in progress and will be continuously improved and updated. Please check back often or contact us directly with any special requests. Be sure to include the artist name and title of the work, and if possible, a thumbnail image or screen shot for reference.

How long does it take for my order to be shipped?

Our prints are strictly custom and usually take between 3-5 business days for rolled or gallery wrapped prints to be shipped and 4-15 business days for framed prints. We do work as quickly as we can, but you are purchasing a print-to-order product and not something we keep in a warehouse or mass produce in a factory. Due to the pandemic and supply issues, frame moulding is occasionally on back order. We will contact you in this case to let you know ASAP.

Depending on location, ground shipping within the continental United States usually takes 1 to 8 days and most orders are received by our clients within 4-14 days of being placed. We may occasionally experience shipping delays for our frames, but if this is the case you will be contacted directly with an updated shipping time. Please be sure to verify your address is correct at the time of order placement to ensure there are no unnecessary shipping delays. If a package is returned to us due to an incorrect destination address, an additional shipping charge will be incurred to ship the order out again.

Please note that USPS First Class Mail is not trackable. 

International orders take longer to ship unless an express shipping option is selected. Please note that despite the selected shipping method, international packages may be delayed by customs. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to predict customs delays or speed up customs clearance.

Learn more on our shipping page.

What if I have a problem with my order or need to return items?

In the event that you are not satisfied with any item, you may return it within 15 days of receipt for a replacement, store credit or if you desire a refund, the price of the product minus 25% restocking fee. Shipping charges will not be refunded. See below to determine how to proceed based on your reason for return.

If your order should arrive damaged or in less than satisfactory condition, simply take a digital photo of the item and one of the shipping container it arrived in, attach them to an email and send to artists@encore-editions.com. Keep all shipping materials including bubble wrap for inspection by UPS or other carrier. Please include in the body of the email: your order number, a brief description of the reason for the return, and let us know whether you are seeking a replacement or a refund. Your request will be processed within 48 hours and you will receive an email letting you know your replacement is under production or your refund is being processed.

If a product is perfect, but not perfect for you, you may return it within 15 days of receipt for a refund or store credit (minus shipping charges). Product refunds will be issued within 48-72 hours of receiving the returned package, less a 35% restocking fee. Store credit returns are for the full order price. Upon receipt of the returned package, you will be emailed a coupon code in the purchase amount to use on a future order.

To return your item(s) please pack them in the original tube or box. We strongly encourage you to return your item via a trackable method to 4387 W Swamp Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902. Please note that a restocking fee will be applied for any returns that arrive damaged due to insufficient re-packing of the product.

No refunds will be given on digital download orders.