PHOTO CARD FAQ

Using a photo card to announce a significant event (baby’s birth, graduation, wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, etc.) is a wonderful way to share news or invite loved ones to a special celebration. Please keep in mind that the quality of your final production is significantly dependent upon the quality of the photo you submit to be used for your photo card product. Keeping in mind the following tips and guidelines will help to capture a clear and beautiful photo.

What resolution photograph should I send for my photo announcement?

Digital photographs should be 1200 x 1800 pixels (at 300 dpi) or larger in size in order in ensure good resolution for your cards.  If you are using a digital camera, be sure to set your camera to the highest resolution possible (refer to your owner's manual).  If you are not sure that your photo will work, please feel free to email us your photo prior to placing your order, along with your specific questions. 

We generally do not recommend the following format:  
-  Photos stored on CD by the photo processing company that printed your 35mm photographs. These images are typically stored at a low resolution.
-  Links to your photo from an online service.  Again, these images are typically stored at a lower resolution that what we need to make your cards look their best.

What settings should I use if I scan my picture and then email it to you?

 Scan the image full size, high resolution at 300 dpi or higher resolution.

Can I use a professional photograph?

Professional photos are beautiful ways to capture significant moments and can be used for our photo cards. Before we can use your professional photo we need a copy of the written release from the photographer stating we have permission to use the photograph for your announcements.  It is otherwise unlawful for Trillium Paper to reproduce images that are copyright protected without the appropriate permission.    

When photographs are submitted to Trillium Paper without a release from a professional photographer, the customer is representing themselves to Trillium paper as the owner of the image and essentially stating that reproducing the photo will not violate the rights of any other party. If the photo is misrepresented and a photograph or photographs are printed in violation of a photographer copyright, the customer accepts all legal responsibility and costs on behalf of themselves and Trillium Paper.

Should I crop my photo before sending it to you?

We prefer you send us the original, high resolution image to assure we have the highest resolution image with which to work.  You can provide cropping instructions for us or send us two versions of your photo - the original and a cropped example.


Can you send me a proof before you print?

For all photo cards (where we print the photo on the card), we email a proof within one business day from receiving your order and photograph.  Your order will be placed on hold until you approve your proof via a reply email or phone call (800)268-5197.

If you would like an actual proof mailed via US First Class Mail there is a $15 fee.

How can I make my announcement photographs look their best?

• Use the highest resolution on your digital camera.
• Keep it simple! Use light, plain blankets or towels around the baby in a "wrinkled" fashion to create a simple, "textured" background. Try to capture your subjects in an area that provides an uncluttered background.
• Lighting is very important. Daylight is the best form of natural light and will also help a photo be its best. Overhead lights and flash ensure enough light. Dark colors or shadows cannot be corrected while still maintaining the quality of the entire photograph.
• Photos with your subjects centered are best. Faces should be larger than the diameter of a quarter in the finished printed photograph. Avoid zooming in too closely. Be careful to choose photographs that do not crop off parts of the person that you want included. 
• If you are including multiple babies or siblings, make sure they are close together. It helps to have their heads and bodies close together or touching.
• If you cannot decide which picture to use, we recommend you send up to 3 photos for us to choose from, indicating your preferences.   We will use the most suitable photo for the format you have selected. Please do not submit a photograph that you do not want to use. We can process more than one photograph and then let you pick your favorite for a $25 charge for each additional photograph. The charge is attributed to the time to process your photograph and announcement layout.

Will Trillium Paper make changes to my photograph?

Trillium Paper accepts color, sepia and black and white photographs. Color photographs can be converted to black and white or sepia but not vice versa. Black and white photographs create a simple and elegant style.  Sepia is similar to black and white, except with brown tones which lends warmth to the photo and a classic antique look.  Both Black and White and Sepia photo cards can help even out the subject’s uneven skin tones.

In addition to converting photographs to black and white or sepia, the designers at Trillium Paper also typically will make minor adjustments to brightness, touch up blemishes, remove red eye and date-stamps.  We will also crop and resize photographs to fit our cards.  For our vellum overlay photocards, edge feathering techniques are used with your photograph to blend the photo with the wording.  We want every photo to looks its best! 

If time is spent processing a photo and we conclude that we cannot deliver a high-quality product, then we will let you know and will accept a different photo at no charge.

How can I send you my photograph(s)?

You can send your photo to us in one of two ways:

1.  E-mail a digital photograph (in JPG or TIF file format) to photos@trilliumpaper.com . 

2.  Mail your printed color or black & white photograph to us at:

Trillium Paper
50 W Technecenter Dr Suite K
Milford, OH  45150

Your photograph(s) will be returned with your order.

When you submit your photograph(s), regardless of method, please include your order ID number and last name to help us match the correct photographs with the proper order.