FAQ: Our Collages, Guarantees, and More
Where do your natural history illustrations come from?
Our field guide collages are made from vintage and antique natural science illustrations, vintage maps—and lots and lots of research!
After combing through the text of a novel or deep-diving into the flora and fauna of a place that will be the basis of a collage, we make lists of all the flowers, trees, birds, mammals, fish, and insects we can find. Then we seek out the best botanical and zoological illustrations that match the literature or the location.
We use a wide variety of public domain resources, including:
🌐 Archive.org
🌐 Biodiversity Heritage Library
🌐 New York Public Library Digital Collections
🌐 Smithsonian Open Access
🌐 The British Library’s digital archives
🌐 The Met, Open Access
🌐 The Polish National Library
🌐 USDA
🌐 Wikimedia Commons public domain images
...and more!
We double-check the old drawings and make sure the illustrator truly identified the species correctly. If we can find more than one illustration, we choose the best and most compatible image. Then, we digitally restore and clean the drawings, and at last digitally collage them in our unique style.
For a Literary Field Guide, we also find the passages in the book that match the illustrations. That way, you can connect the art with the text.
Are your physical posters printed "museum quality"?
Yes! All our shipped, physical posters are printed by our production partner on thick matte paper with a weight of 189 grams per meter squared,.using multicolor, water-based inkjet printing that yields brilliant results.
Tell me about your "30-Day Happiness Guarantee"
We want you to love your art. If anything feels off, just contact us within 30 days and we'll make it right.
Physical Prints
If you have any concerns, let us know by email, and we'll try to fix it. If you decide to return your print, contact us first within 30 days of receiving your print to start a return. Then you can mail your print to our studio in Utrecht, the Netherlands. (The address is in the About section.) Once we receive it, we'll issue your refund. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer.
Custom Prints
If something is not quite right, we can make an adjustment that we can send as a digital download. If we can’t find a solution you love, you can return the print for a refund. (Contact us by email first to start the process.)
Digital Downloads
If something isn’t what you expected, let us know asap. We'll help you with the file or revise it. If you’re still not happy, we're glad to offer a refund — no need to send anything back.
What about support?
You can email us anytime at hello@naturalhistorycollages.com. We'll get back to you within one business day (often much sooner).
I'm thinking of buying a digital download. How does that work?
If you buy a digital download from our catalog, you'll get it immediately. If you order a custom collage, it'll be ready to download in about a week—after we've worked with you to approve the species list and the art proof.
You can print your download on your home printer if you have one, or you can print it at a local print shop. There are also services online, as well as large chain stores that will make beautiful prints.
If you need a gift right away, purchasing a digital download from our catalog is a fast way to go. Print it at home, pop it into a store bought frame, and you've got a gift in minutes.
Check out our free PDF download "Printing At Home" for lots of tips about printing at home or at a local print shop.
What sizes are your digital downloads?
For all collages, whether in our catalog or custom-made, you'll get three high-resolution JPG files, 300 dpi or greater:
- 2:3 Ratio: Use to print 6"x9", 8"x12", 12"x18", 20"x30", and 24"x36".
- 4:5 Ratio: Use to print 8"x10", 12"x15", 16"x20", 20"x25", and 24"x30".
- A-Series (International sizes, similar to 5:7 Ratio): Use to print A5, A4, A3, A2, and A1.
That way, you can print them to whatever frame or mat size works best for you.
You'll also get the PDF referenced above for tips on printing at home.
I'm interested in commissioning a custom collage of a place I love. Can I make sure the species are ones I want? And what if I want to make changes before the final print?
Yes to changes; yes to the species! For our custom, local field guide collages, you will receive an art proof before the final artwork is completed.
We've designed our step-by-step process to make sure we're in sync with you on what we are creating and to ensure you are happy with the final artwork.
Check out our product page for creating a custom collage for more details.
Can I request a rush order?
Sometimes, but please message us before ordering. We’ll let you know if we can meet your timeline. For physical prints, we can't always speed up final production and shipping, but we might be able to speed up the artwork's creation. (If we are able to schedule expedited shipping, that might cost just a little more; we'll check with you first, of course.)
What can I do with my art print?
Just about anything you'd like, as long as it's only for your personal use and you do not re-sell it. If you have questions about this, email us and we'll discuss it.
I would like other customizations not mentioned in the product description. Is that possible?
Definitely maybe! Reach out to us before you submit your order to discuss your request beforehand.
Is there a way to compare print sizes so I can get the one that works best for me?
This chart shows the available sizes for artwork in our catalog.
If you have a special size request for a print size, please let us know, and we will try to accommodate you!
EU GPSR-related production information is as follows:
Manufacturer contact information:
Printful
support@printful.com
Raina bulvaris 25, Riga, Latvia, LV-1050
Age restrictions: For adults
EU Warranty: 2 years
Other compliance information: Meets the small parts and magnetic flux index level requirements.