Important! How to pack your photos or documents to mail to PhotoMD 1. What do I get when I order from PhotoMD, how fast will I receive my finished order, and how do I pay? 2. Why are the three different versions of my image available on a CD? 3. When I look at my images on my computer, I can't see any difference between the high and low resolution copies. Why? 4. Why do the two images appear to be different sizes on my computer screen? 5. What formats are the files? 6. What is an Archival Quality print? 7. How do I best care for archival prints? 8. Does PhotoMD keep copies of my files/work? 9. Can PhotoMD use my pictures for any reason? 10. What if I am not happy with your work? 11. I loved your work! What other services do you provide? 12. Read our LIMIT OF LIABILITY, how long quotes are valid. 13. I don't want copies, I want my ORIGINALS cleaned or restored. New!

How to pack your photos or documents to mail to PhotoMD Your original photos and documents are precious to you, and to us! It's important to take some special care when packing them to send in the mail. These steps will only take a few minutes, and will protect your items from sloppy transportation. First, put a piece of clean, blank paper between each photo or document (not needed if they are in good condition). Second, include your contact information and a description of what you want us to do! Third, find two pieces of cardboard slightly larger than your largest photo or document, and put one on each outside, with your items in the middle. Tape the edge, taking care NOT to tape your photos or documents. Fourth, put into a mailing envelope or box. If you use a box, fill extra space with peanuts, airbags or even crumpled newspaper. Now, mail your package! We strongly recommend that you INSURE YOUR shipment if you are sending original items! It's been our experience that uninsured items might get 'lost in the mail' but insured ones never seem to! It's only a couple of dollars, and it's WORTH it! Keep a copy of your mailing receipt and tracking number, if you have one. Send us an email telling us that you are mailing items to us, and we will email you when they arrive. Now sit back and relax. Your photos or documents are safely on their way to PhotoMD! Back to the top of the page What do I get when I order from PhotoMD, how fast will I receive my finished order, and how do I pay? Your order will include the following: Your originals returned, untouched. ARCHIVAL QUALITY prints of the restored images (if ordered). An invoice for your records. Any additional work requested, such as DVD or CD, etc (detailed on your invoice). Your quote does not include shipping and handling. Generally, a job will be shipped back to you within 15-30 days. For most jobs, we use United States Postal Service Priority 2-day Mail, and shipping fees are about $6.00 to $10.00, which will be added to your invoice. We will notify you of the shipping costs and options at billing. We can also send you your files via email for rushes, and will work with your preferences for Shipping methods and time. PhotoMD accepts cash (in-person only!) or personal checks, and electronic checks and credit cards via PayPal. Back to the top of the page Why are the three different versions of my image available on a CD? We always give you a high resolution file, because you need that to get quality prints. Some customers also request a low resolution file for use on your website or in email. A low resolution copy will send MUCH faster than the high resolution copy. Please note that if you are emailing the file somewhere FOR PRINTING, you need to provide the printer with the HIGH resolution file. Finally, on occasion some customers want a file of the unrestored raw scan for their records. Back to the top of the page When I look at my images on my computer, I can't see any difference between the high and low resolution copies. Why? A computer screen can only handle images up to about 72dpi (dots per inch). But printing requires a much higher number of dots per inch- 300dpi for ordinary files, and 1200 or more for art quality. You can't see the difference on your computer screen, but if you print the files on your printer, you'll see that the low resolution file is grainy and far less clear than the higher resolution file. Back to the top of the page Why do the two images appear to be different sizes on my computer screen? Again, this is a resolution, or dots per inch, difference. Computer screens (monitors) will show a 72dpi file at actual size, but a 3x5 file which is 300 dpi will appear much larger, due to the monitor's inability to show more than 72 dots per inch. If you print them, however, they will both be the same size, though the low-res file will be fuzzy and the high-res file will be clear and sharp. Back to the top of the page What formats are the files? The original scans and printable copies are TIFF format (unless you request differently), and the web files are JPGs. Back to the top of the page What is an Archival Quality print? Archival prints are made on a high quality inkjet printer which uses pigment inks which are rated to last up to 200 years, and then printed on papers which are acid-free and rated to last from 72 to over 100 yrs (depending on whether the print is matte or glossy, etc). Back to the top of the page How do I best care for Archival Prints? All prints should be treated with loving care. Archival prints are made to last - but nothing will last if abused! To maintain the integrity and permanence of the prints, you should care for them as you would any quality output... For best quality maintenance, keep a few guidelines in mind: First - do not place in direct sunlight or areas of high humidity such as porches, bathrooms, etc. Second - If you frame them, we recommend you use acid-free matboard and backing boards and UV glass, available at almost all framers and art supply stores. Pre-cut acid-free mats for standard sizes are relatively inexpensive, and easily available. Besides enhancing the attractiveness of the image, using a mat will prevent photos and documents from potentially sticking to the glass and being ruined. Third - If you are not framing your prints, store them in acid-free polyethelene bags, acid-free storage boxes or acid-free scrapbooking pages - available at photo shops and arts & crafts supply stores. Remove any cardboard packaging because cardboard is not acid-free. Purchase acid free uncut mat board to back the prints for storage in poly bags. Back to the top of the page Does PhotoMD keep copies of my files/work? Yes, we keep a DVD or CD here of your files, so that if you want additional work on the same items in the future, we are prepared to do so. If your shots were previewed on a private page at PhotoMD, that site will be removed from the web upon completion and delivery of the job. Back to the top of the page Can PhotoMD use my pictures for any reason? No, not without your permission, unless it is only a very small part of your image to use as an example of our work. If we want to use one or more of your shots for our promotional material, we will always get your permission first, and you are always free to refuse. Also, remember no one can see your proof website except you, unless you give them the address. Please note that abandoned work will be considered the property of PhotoMD after 6 months, and we will be free to use these abandoned works as we see fit. Back to the top of the page What if I am not happy with your work? Your satisfaction is guraranteed. Call us or email us at once with your problem and we will work with you to achieve your satisfaction. If you fail to contact us or respond when notified that work is completed, ALL WORK which is not picked up and/or paid for within 6 months becomes the property of PhotoMD and may be used in any way deemed appropriate by PhotoMD for advertising, etc. Back to the top of the page 11. I loved your work! What other services do you provide? Besides photo and document restoration and retouching, PhotoMD also provides photography services, advertising, webdesign, production and webmastering services. And we also have an art gallery for collectors of fine art. We have recently added a new service and stopped an old one. We now offer you help to PUBLISH YOUR OWN BOOK. We assist you with the design, layout, editing and ordering. You can get one copy or one thousand... what ever you want. GET PUBLISHED NOW! Back to the top of the page LIMIT OF LIABILITY. Please understand that we exercise EXTREME CARE in handling your originals, and have NEVER had any problems/complaints to date. While we take every precaution possible, submitting any print, document, artwork, or digital file to us for copy, restoration, or other handling, constitutes an agreement by you that we are not responsible for any damages or loss by our company, even if due to negligence or other fault of our company. PhotoMD is not responsible for loss, damage, or delay of shipment caused by UPS or any other carrier used. Prices, specifications, and/or time schedule subject to change. Not responsible for errors and/or misprints. FIRM PRICE QUOTES for a specific, defined job will be honored for 30 days, so long as the project specifications remain the same. Back to the top of the page While we work only on digitally scanned or photographed copies of your photos, documents and artworks, we are committed to the archival preservation of original photographs, documents and fine art. For work on your originals, we refer customers to the Society of American Archivists and The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, and strive to offer both advice and conservation resources to our customers. On the AIC website, you can find conservators by type and location. Go to the website, and select PUBLIC INFO, and then click on SELECTING A CONSERVATOR. You will be taken to a search form. Click on the names or logos here to visit the websites in a new window. We are members of NAPP - the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, and numerous other groups in our fields. Back to the top of the page