Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How big are the cards?
A: They are all 5X7 inches (12.7X17.8 cm) and come with a matching A7 size envelope (5.25 X 7.25 inches or 13X18 cm).
Q: Are the cards and envelopes made of archival-quality recycled paper from sustainably managed forests?
A: Yes, they are made from acid-free 30% PCW (post-consumer) Forest Management Certified, buffered, uncoated fine white Canadian-made card stock and paper.
Q: Will the colours fade if I frame the photos?
A: The images on Pictoria greeting cards are real photographic prints of archival quality, carefully hand-mounted with buffered, non-toxic adhesive to last for many decades, and longer if mounted in a frame behind glass.
Q: Are all your images in stock for immediate shipping?
A: We keep a supply of 50 or more different cards in stock for same-day shipping by Canada Post. These consist of our two most recent catalogues and a number of all-time favourite images. Visit our "catalogue" page to browse these "same day" images. All the other images in the catalogue are printed and assembled to order, which usually takes 3-5 working days from the day you order to the day we ship.
Q: How do you ship and how much is shipping?
A: For orders of 18 cards or less, we ship same-day by Canada Post lettermail at $2 to $6 (depending on the number of cards) to anywhere in Canada, and $6 to $12 to any U.S. destination. Overseas charges may be extra.
Orders over 25 cards are handled through Canpar courier and its international partners. 100 cards shipped anywhere in Ontario or Quebec is $20, and $30 to most other destinations in Canada.
Q: Why do I have to email in my order? Why can I not just select my images on your site and check out automatically? Isn't it easier for everyone if I could do that? Why do I have to use e-transfer only as payment?
A: As a tiny home-based business, we have a very strong desire to stay as independent as possible AND to be as responsive to our customers as possible. You can phone us at any time and we will answer if we are not out taking pictures. Third-party payment arrangements add significant costs we don't think our customers want, and we have found (through bitter experience) that e-shops add too much to the risk of doing business without being subjected to what Geof refers to as "digital hegemony" where the e-shop can arbitrarily interrupt payments at their whim. We want to stay free, stay in business, and serve our customers. E-transfer seems to be the best solution for the fastest turn-around time. We hope that our customers (especially our former Shopify customers) appreciate our philosophy and continue to enjoy our services and our greeting cards!