Frequently Asked Questions

Printing Process, Materials & Sizing

Sales Information

Shipping Information

Company Information

What is a Giclée?

A giclée (pronounced "zhee-CLAY") is a high-resolution art reproduction, individually printed on a special large format inkjet printer. These printers are not your typical desktop inkjet, but are manufactured specifically for digital fine art printing.

Why Don't You Offer Traditional Lithographic Prints?

Traditional lithography uses tiny dots of four colors — cyan, magenta, yellow and black — to fool the eye into seeing various hues and shades. Colors are "created" by printing different size dots of these four colors. Giclees are superior to traditional lithography in nearly every way. The colors are brighter, last longer, and are so high-resolution that they are virtually 'continuous tone', rather than tiny dots. The range, or "gamut" of color for giclées is far beyond that of lithography, and details are crisper.

What Makes 12 Stone Art Glicées Different?

Not all giclées are created equal. Our state-of-the-art printing system uses twelve specially-matched inks to provide the most vibrant and realistic color, sharper edges and more even coverage. Each print is finished with a gloss enhancer to lock in the color and provide even gloss across the entire printed surface. We use only the finest archival fine art papers and canvas from HP and Hahnemühle for long-lasting collector prints with exceptional beauty and lightfastness.

What's the Advantage of Using 12 Inks?

Our 12-ink printing process allows us to reproduce hues and shades that can't be duplicated in traditional offset printing and lithography. True reds and greens are difficult if not impossible to achieve with only four inks. We use four different inks just for black. This allows for much more even coverage, eliminating the little dots that are commonly seen in lighter areas of an inkjet print. We also apply a gloss enhancer to create a more even gloss and more durable finish.

How Do You Know My Print Will Last Over 200 Years?

The pigment-based inks we use combined with the quality archival papers and canvases have been rated for image permanence and lightfastness for over 200 years by Wilhelm Imaging Research. Continue reading if you're interested in the details of their test.

Display life predictions are derived from accelerated glass-filtered and bare-bulb fluorescent light fading tests conducted at 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 percent relative humidity, based on a standard indoor display condition of 450 lux for 12 hours per day. The spectral power distribution of the fluorescent lamps used in these tests meets the requirements set forth in ANSI Standard IT9.9 and ISO Standard 18909. Due to variability in illumination conditions in homes and offices, images will last longer when displayed under lower light levels. Likewise, display life will be shortened when displayed under illumination that is more intense than 450 lux.

How Do I Decide What Size to Choose?

We offer several popular sizes to most closely match your available spaces. The size you choose is for the printed area only. We leave approximately two to three inches on all sides on the print to make mounting and framing easier. When considering a size for a specific location in your home or office, please keep in mind that a framed piece will be several inches larger than the actual printed area.

How Do I Decide What Material Will Be Best?

Since we only offer the best materials available on the market, the choice is mostly subjective. Choose the material that appeals to you the most based on color (bright white versus natural white), type (paper versus canvas) and texture (smooth versus textured). If you would like a more detailed comparison of our materials, click here.

How Do I Place My Order Online?

Ordering from our online store is easy.

  1. Select the product you wish to purchase by clicking on its image or title.
  2. On the product detail page you will be able to choose a size and material for your print. Click the “Purchase this Print” button to add this artwork to your Shopping Cart.
  3. Repeat steps one and two for each piece of art you wish to purchase. Once you are ready to place your order, click the “Checkout Now” button at the bottom of your Shopping Cart page.
  4. Enter your shipping destination to calculate shipping charges.
  5. Enter your billing information and submit your order.

Is Your Site Secure?

Yes. Any personal information you provide will be protected and will not be disclosed to any third party without your permission. All data that you send to us will be encrypted using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption. Our server will also secure your information with up-to-date firewall and encryption during and after the ordering process. For added security, your financial information is not stored on our servers. This means that you will need to re-enter your billing information for each order.

Can I Track My Order Status?

Once your order has been placed, you can view its status on your account page. Simply log in to your account and click the “View Account” link in the upper right corner.

How Long Will It Take to Receive My Order?

It takes two full days to print and seal your artwork for shipping. We are usually able to ship your order after the second business day, but during times of higher volume, we cannot rush the process and it may take a little longer. If you need your order rushed, we recommend that you select our Priority Handling service at checkout. Priority orders are printed before other orders and include overnight USPS Express Mail® shipping.

Why Do Your Prints Cost More than Other Online Poster Stores?

12 Stone Art specializes in fine art reproductions, not posters - the difference is significant. Typical posters are mass-produced on low-quality papers and with inferior inks and sell for between $20 and $100. Our giclées are custom-printed based on your individual preference. We use only the highest quality materials and inks to ensure that each print we create will be a piece of art that you can display proudly. We also pay for the creation of the artwork we sell. You cannot purchase this artwork anywhere else.

What Shipping Options Do You Offer?

Currently we ship via USPS Priority Mail. We also offer a Priority Handling service which will put your order at the front of the line. We ship all Priority orders via USPS Express Mail® (overnight to most areas).

How Much Will Shipping Cost Me?

Shipping costs vary based on the weight, size, destination and handling preference of your order. To calculate shipping, simply add the items you wish to purchase to your cart and click the Checkout button. Fill out the destination address, select your handling preference and your shipping charges will be calculated for you.

Can I Track My Shipment?

When your order is shipped, you will receive an email notification. You will then be able to track your shipment from your account profile. Simply log in to our site and click the account link in the upper right corner.

Who Is Responsible for 12 Stone Art?

Tim & Stephanie Gray began 12 Stone Art in 2006 as a way to get quality Christian artwork into the hands of the public. You can read more about 12 Stone Art on our About page.

How Can I Learn More About Your Artists?

To learn more about our artists, you can read their bios in the right column of our About page, and follow the links to their personal websites if you would like to learn more.

What Is Your Privacy Policy?

Please click here to read our Privacy Policy.