Terms

Salt of the Earth’s Terms & Conditions

Your originals
Salt of the Earth receives and despatches valuable works of art, negatives and archival photos on a regular basis. We take great care of any originals in our possession. However, it is up to the owner to insure these originals. We are unable to accept responsibility for them in transit or while with us, due to very high insurance costs that would force us to raise our charges significantly to all customers. However, we will always insure your original works to the level you request when we return them to you.

Mastering
We do not charge a set fee for scanning and mastering (which includes all the materials used in making test prints.) It would not be fair to our customers – or ourselves – to do so. Each original poses its own challenges. Some are very straightforward, while the subtlety of detail, tone and hue in others requires far more adjustment. Larger works may require more scans than smaller ones, and may need to be digitally rejoined. Therefore we charge purely on a time basis.

We will give you an estimate of the time your job is likely to require at the outset. While we always try to scan and master a work within the first half hour, we never guarantee to do so. If your work needs further tweaking or repair, our mastering charge will reflect the additional time.

Delivery
Any prints ordered will be delivered by first class (insured) Royal Mail post, unless you have requested and we have agreed otherwise in advance. Packaging and delivery will be charged at standard rates. Prints will be packaged in the most robust and appropriate method, with acid-free interleaving where necessary.

If prints arrive in postal tubes, we recommend that they be taken out and flattened on a non-abrasive surface as soon as they are received.

Rates/Charges
Salt of the Earth always strives to keep its prices keenly competitive. However, in view of volatile currency exchange rates and the fact that our papers, canvas and inks are all imported, we reserve the right to amend our prices and charges without notice.

Payment Terms
We accept UK cheques made payable to Salt of the Earth or worldwide payment via Google Checkout or our secure Paypal account. If you bring your work to us, payment for prints will be due when the job is complete and you collect it. When working remotely with us, payment should be sent when your order is completed. We will send an invoice showing p&p and insurance charges to you immediately after despatch and require payment of this balance by return. Trade terms are by arrangement.

Queries/Problems/Damage
We print, quality control, handle and pack all prints with great care. If you collect your prints in person, it’s your responsibility to check them thoroughly before paying and leaving. In the highly unusual situation where you believe and we agree there’s a mistake or problem with your order, we’ll put it right immediately and without charge.

Once we’ve posted prints, you need to notify any problems or raise queries within three days of receiving them; we can be reached every day via phone or email. We will send a replacement delivery of relevant items as soon as we receive the faulty ones from you, and will refund the cost of their return postage to you. (All orders are sent insured, but you must return damaged items in order for us to claim.)

Please don’t ring us a couple of weeks after getting your prints to report that you’ve found “a scuff” or “a bent corner”; we won’t be able to help.

Product life
All our prints are produced on high-quality, professional papers or canvas designed for the giclée process. Some giclée services (and, alas, some fine art publishers) cut corners and use cheaper inks that can fade relatively quickly. Salt of the Earth only use Epson Ultrachrome pigment inks that deliver maximum longevity, and are recognised throughout the world for their quality. If a print is mounted/matted to allow a ‘breathing space’ between its surface and the glass, is well framed and positioned away from strong, direct sunlight or damp, it should last in near-perfect condition for generations. (We can supply, on request, the exact technical specification of our fine art and photo papers, canvas and pigment inks.)

Drop shipping
Artists, photographers, publishers and heritage bodies (in the U.K. only) making ongoing sales via e-commerce websites or physical retail outlets can take advantage of Salt of the Earth’s efficient drop shipping service. Set up an account with us, email us your orders, and we will do the rest: print, pack and dispatch – with or without insurance, as required. We’ll invoice you at month’s end (quarterly statements on request).

Note: If you wish, supply us with a digital template for customer address labels showing your logo and contact details, and we will print these as needed. Or attach a printable label with each emailed order.