PhoTile FAQ

• I have a photograph I like. Can I use it to create a PhoTile tileset?
  • Absolutely! At some point the photograph needs to be scanned into a PC bitmap file. You can do this yourself if you have a scanner and then email or FTP the file to us, or mail us the original and we will scan and return the photo to you - at no charge!
     
• Do I need to convert the image to a vector (traced) format? I think I'd prefer the PhoTile tileset to look like a photograph instead of a painting.
  • Depending on the final size of the tileset, vectorizing is not necessary unless you want the "painted" effect. However, as the photo is scaled larger, it will degrade in appearance due to "pixellation", a problem avoided by the vector process. Typically, you can scale a photo to about 5 times the original size without problem. Larger scaling will look O.K. from a distance, but will appear fuzzy or grainy when viewed close-up.
    

  • ORIGINAL PHOTO	AFTER VECTORIZING	FRAMED
    JPEG picture of lion against black background	Converted to scalable vector/art format	Actual photo of 3x3 6-inch tile mosaic, grouted & framed

• How will I know what my image will look like when printed to a PhoTile tileset?
  • We will email preview images to you for your approval before we print the tileset.
     
• How is my final cost determined?
  • There is the cost of the tiles. This varies depending on the type (gloss, matte, waterproof) and size (1", 2", 4", 6". 12" or 6x8"). Our prices include the printing.
  • There may be a preparation cost. Normally we provide the image scaling, vectorizing and breaking-up into individual tile prints, at no cost. If you require custom services such as image splicing (to join several pictures into one seamless larger picture), background cropping or other advanced image manipulation, we charge our normal design rate of US$50/hr. An estimate can be provided at no cost.
  • The shipping cost of tilesets is calculated as 15% of total cost. This is partly due to a limitation of our shopping site, in that we cannot apply individual shipping fees. However, the cost works out pretty consistently, as the larger tilesets are heavier and so cost more to ship. Shipments outside North America require a quote
  • There is no duty on importing artwork (for customers outside of Canada). However, applicable taxes are charged.