ImageSnap customer help

Should ImageSnap tile be used outdoors?

ImageSnap tile will last indefinitely if used indoors, but it may fade if used outdoors. ImageSnap suggests that all of its tile be kept out of direct sunlight.

ImageSnap has sold tile that has been installed in swimming pools, outdoor murals in shaded areas, and as design elements in custom outdoor furniture.

ImageSnap has had reports of its outdoor tile beginning to fade in as little as six months. We also know of outdoor applications that haven't faded in years. Fading time depends on how much sun your ImageSnap tile receives, and whether or not the tile is in a protected area.

ImageSnap also has made hundreds of tiles for grave markers and monuments. Because the cost of an ImageSnap tile is less expensive than alternative printing methods, customers buy our tiles knowing that the tiles could fade and might have to be replaced over the years.

How does ImageSnap print on tile?

ImageSnap prints your image using a heat-transfer process that dyes a polyester coating that has been applied and cured to the tile surface. The tile coating can be scratched with a sharp object, such as a knife or scissors, but if handled like any fine furniture, your tile will last for years. ImageSnap has made thousands and thousands of tiles over the years using this printing method.

What are the different tile finishes.

Ceramic Tile

ImageSnap's ceramic tile has three finishes:

Gloss finish provides a brilliant canvas for the best artwork and photo reproduction. Gloss finish is susceptible to abrasions if cleaned with a paper towel or an abrasive cloth. These abrasions do not affect the printed image, but may be visible in certain lighting conditions. Gloss tile may be used in a wet environment, but the tile should be cleaned to avoid water stains.

Satin finish also enhances photos and artwork. Its surface is lustrous, with just enough sheen to make the tile attractive, but not enough to obscure the image in certain lighting conditions. Satin tile may be used in a wet environment, but the tile should be cleaned to avoid water stains. Use a non-abrasive cleanser and cloth when cleaning the tile.

Matte finish is highly resilient and resistant to abrasions. We recommend its use on tabletops or for trivets, or for any surface that will have items placed on it. Matte tile may be used in a wet environment, but the tile should be cleaned to avoid water stains.

Tumbled Porcelain Tile

Tumbled porcelain tile is a beautiful, natural tile that is great for displaying vintage-type images because of its flat matte finish and uneven texture and edges. The tile has rough edges, and pits on the tile surface. The tile has a very durable surface. Porcelain may be used in any wet application.

Glass Tile

ImageSnap prints your image on the back of its glass tiles. ImageSnap's 4.25" x 4.25" and 6" x 6" glass tiles are tempered, which means they can't be cut. The tile has a slight green cast.

ImageSnap's 12" x 12" glass tile has a textured finish and an opaque back, where the image is printed. This tile is tempered and rated for wall and floor use. The tempered tile can not be cut.

Glass tile is available in two finishes:

Frosted tile allows you to see through the image, which results in a more subtle reproduction of your photo or artwork.

Opaque finish does not allow you to see through the image, but will reflect light from behind. Your photo or artwork will be easier to see on opaque glass tile than on the frosted glass tile.

How do people use ImageSnap tile?

ImageSnap has been printing tile since 2001. Our ceramic, glass and porcelain tiles have been used as kitchen and sink backsplashes, inside shower and tub enclosures, in retail establishments, including restaurants and supermarkets, and, of course, as beautiful artwork on mantelpieces and in frames.

ImageSnap's textured, tempered 12" x 12" glass tile has been used on walls, and is our only tile that is rated for use on floors.

May I place an order with ImageSnap by phone?

Although ImageSnap would rather receive your order via its Web site, we understand that some customers would rather talk to ImageSnap first.

After you call ImageSnap and place your order, you may send your digital images via email or on a CD using conventional shipping methods. You also may send ImageSnap photo prints or artwork to be scanned. Please check with ImageSnap to make sure your artwork will fit on our scanning equipment. ImageSnap charges a small fee for scanning your prints or artwork.

Never send your credit card information to ImageSnap via email. You may give us your credit card number when you call us to place your order.

How may I pay for my ImageSnap order?

You may pay for your order with MasterCard, Visa and American Express when ordering on the ImageSnap Web site or by telephone.

Will I have to pay sales tax?

Only orders placed from California addresses are charged sales tax.

Is my online ImageSnap order secure?

The security of your personal information is very important to ImageSnap. When credit card information is transmitted, this data goes to a third-party clearing house hired by ImageSnap, which uses industry-standard SSL encryption to protect your information. SSL encryption is a method by which information is encrypted while being transmitted over the Internet. ImageSnap never sees your credit card information, nor does ImageSnap store such information.

How long does ImageSnap take to make my order?

Almost all products ordered from ImageSnap are made and shipped the day we receive your order. If your order is placed too late in the day (after 1:30 pm Pacific Time) or on the weekend, it may be shipped the next business day.

ImageSnap may also need a bit more time to produce large orders. It's always best to contact ImageSnap and confirm shipping times for large orders if precise timing is an issue.

How long does shipping take?

Shipping times depend on your shipping address and the shipping method you choose. Cick here to see ImageSnap's color-coded map that shows UPS Ground shipping times in the Unites States. If UPS Ground isn't fast enough, or if you want to be absolutely sure you receive your order on a specific day, you may have to choose 3-Day, 2-Day or Overnight UPS shipping services.

ImageSnap also charges a flat rate for shipping via the U.S. Postal Service. In some cases, using the Flat Rate is less expensive than shipping via UPS. Packages less than 13 ounces ship via First Class Mail. Heavier packages are shipped via Priority Mail. Both of these USPS options take 1 to 3 days in the continental U.S.

May I pick up my order at ImageSnap?

You may pick up your order at ImageSnap. When placing an order on the ImageSnap Web site, one of your shipping options is Pick Up at ImageSnap if your registered address is in California. If your address is not in California, you won't see this shipping option.

You may pick up your order at ImageSnap, 1003 River Street, Suite A, Santa Cruz, CA 95003. ImageSnap is open 10 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. ImageSnap is closed on the weekend and on major holidays.

ImageSnap can ship to your P.O. box by U.S. Postal Service Only. Use our Flat Rate shipping option. UPS will not deliver to a P.O. Box.

Where's my ImageSnap order?

Check on the status of your order by clicking on the My Account link on the top-right of every ImageSnap Web page. After logging in, click the View the orders I have made link. You will see a list of your orders and their current status. If your order ships via UPS, you are automically emailed a UPS tracking number, which you can use to track your order at UPS.com.

How do I contact ImageSnap?

You may find ImageSnap's contact information here.

Which file formats does ImageSnap accept?

ImageSnap prefers that you upload files saved as JPEG. JPEGs look great on ImageSnap photo items, and they have smaller file sizes than other formats. ImageSnap also supports TIFF, BMP and GIF images. Make sure your image is saved as RGB and is smaller than 9MB. CMYK images become negatives when uploaded in ImageSnap's Designer.

What are ImageSnap's image-resolution guidelines?

A digital photograph is a series of horizontal and vertical pixels that when viewed all at once make a picture. The number of these pixels in one inch is referred to as Dots Per Inch (DPI). The number of pixels that your camera captures when you take a picture is referred to as megapixels. The more megapixels in a photo, the bigger the ImageSnap photo item you can make.

Some images may look great on your computer screen, but computers generally display images at less than 100 DPI. ImageSnap needs resolution of 150 to 300 DPI to print a crisp, clear image on a photo item. Images that are pulled off a Web site are usually 72 DPI, which is too low a resolution for almost all ImageSnap photo items.

When you upload an image into ImageSnap's product designer, ImageSnap loads your image at around 240 DPI. If the image doesn't fill your product template at this resolution, you have to click the + button at the top of the page until your image fits. As you click the + button, you will see the DPI number at the bottom of the Image Quality Meter drop. As your image gets bigger, the DPI gets smaller. The Image Quality Meter also tells you how well your image will print, rating it from Excellent to Very Poor. You may always upload a large image (up to 9 MB), and use the - button to make the image smaller. There is no problem with making a large image smaller.

If you scan an image to be made into a photo item, set the height and width of the scan to match the height and width of the photo item you wish to make. Set the resolution (DPI) at 300 DPI.