FAQ

MY PAINTED PORCH VINTAGE SIGNS

Our designs are created by a faux finish artisan by professional experience with a passion for paint, finishes, home design - turning the old into new, and the new into old.  Feel the vintage warmth and character of a time gone by with our well-worn finishes – or the artistic illusion thereof!

Are you a new business?

No, we are not! My Painted Porch has been designing, creating and handcrafting since 2004! What began as a business creating reproduction Early American pieces, then progressed to include home-staging, in-home decorating consultations, and commissioned decorating projects for clients specializing in faux finishes. That then carried us into the creation of a home decor line of handcrafted vintage wooden signs in 2007 - selling both in person via craft shows, and online via eBay, Etsy, eventually leading to our own website and blog in 2008.  We now offer our designs now on stretched canvas and metal exclusively with the exception of a few limited edition wooden art pieces during select times of the year. We also currently hold sister projects, Designing Scarlett, established in 2020, as well as our casual clothing brand, North 48°® Clothing Co - since 2021. 

Does the CANVAS sign have a wooden frame around it on the front as it appears in the photo? It looks real!

The wooden frames you are seeing in some of our designs are NOT real wooden frames, but part of the artistic illusion created in the overall design for a vintage time-worn charm.  So what looks like a real wooden frame, cracked paint, wood shiplap, or rusted metal is actually not, but created by us in our designs to appear real, weathered, worn, and well loved! Your stretched canvas or metal print design will be smooth to the touch from edge to edge. 

MATERIALS

Tell me more about your CANVAS signs!

Our stretched canvas arrives ready to hang with wire, felt pads for wall protection and on lightweight 410g/m2 museum artist matte canvas, hand-stretched over premium grade 1.5” thick wooden stretcher bars. Our canvas is designed to meet art gallery and museums' longevity requirements, and our giclee method of printing with pigment inks utilized to ensure consistency of shades for up to 200 years. 

Can a CANVAS sign be displayed OUTDOORS?

We do not recommend displaying a stretched canvas sign outdoors no matter where you order from. Your safest option for outdoor displaying are our 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑/𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥/𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬.

Tell me more about your METAL prints!

Our 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐅, 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓-𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐅, 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇-𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 metal prints are ideal for 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 display. Our metal prints are not your typical “tin” print, but are of 𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐃 – an aluminium composite sheet comprised of two aluminium cover layers and a mineral core designed for the outdoors for a total thickness of 3mm or 1/8”. Incredibly lightweight, extremely robust, rigid and strong, weatherproof, and rust-proof, durable and long-lasting making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use with a smooth, matte finish minimizing reflections, creating a soft and subtle look that will draw attention to the details in your image and lend authenticity to the design. These can be ordered as the metal plate only without drilled holes, with pre-drilled holes, and also with aluminum standoffs. You will see your options below the size and material options of the product listing.

-          The 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 arrives to you without holes pre-drilled, for you to drill or display as you wish either with Velcro/Hook and Loop Tape, 3M Command Strips, screws, nuts and bolts etc

-          The 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞s, or holes with 𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, will see your metal sign come to you with all required pre-drilled holes, and a set of 4 or 6 standoffs depending upon the size of your sign.

Is 2-sided printing possible on the metal signs?

Yes!  2 sided printing is available if that is your preference.  Opting for printing on 1 side only is the industry standard, and will see the back of your sign white. For most customers, displaying the sign against a wall will not require that your sign be printed on both sides.

However, if you prefer that your sign is readable from both sides, printing on both sides is absolutely an available option. Kindly see the drop-down menu on the product listing page for selecting print on 1 side only, or on both sides of the sign. 

HOW TO ORDER

Which SIZE should I order?

Please, don’t rely solely on the images in our product listings, as these are mockups only serving to give you a general idea as to size and appearance.  Measuring your wall space carefully and marking it off on your wall with painter’s tape or with a wipeable chalk is a far more reliable method of ensuring the right size for your space. Once you’ve arrived at the ideal size, choose the size option from the drop-down menu of your desired item. 

*** Measuring carefully is super important as we don’t accept returns or exchanges as per our returns policy, and we are not able to make size changes once your order is in progress.

If you require a size that is not included in our size options, please reach out to us with the size you are needing, and we can provide you with a custom quote prior to you ordering. You can reach out to us here: support@mypaintedporch.com and we will get back to you within normal business hours.

Will I be sent a PROOF to approve prior to ordering my Personalized or Custom sign?

Absolutely!  We don’t submit your personalized or custom order to production until we receive your approval!  Once we receive your order, and your made-to-order design created, we will need you to confirm spellings, established year etc for accuracy, and to be sure it’s perfect. Your proof approval ensures that you get exactly what you want.  Within 𝟐𝟒-𝟒𝟖 𝐡𝐫𝐬, we will send your proof to your email address given at your time of ordering. We ask that you also respond within 𝟐𝟒-𝟒𝟖 𝐡𝐫𝐬 in order to keep your order in the queue, production schedules on track, and see you with your order at the earliest possible.

Can I see a PROOF BEFORE I order?

Due to the considerable amount of time required in creating your made-to-order design, we cannot offer proofs or mockups prior to receiving your order without it incurring design fees. Only once your order has been received, does the design work begin, We provide proofs only once your paid order is received. 

What elements of my sign can be CUSTOMIZED?

Our personalized signs will indicate which elements can be personalized.  Please see the “personalization details” section of your desired item for the elements that can be personalized FREE OF CHARGE.  If you are wishing for a graphic to be replaced ie a piano swapped out for a guitar, we can sometimes accommodate those requests.  Please do note however, that additional design fees may be incurred depending upon complexities and design time involved, and may constitute a CUSTOM ORDER. We cannot accommodate  font style changes as a considerable amount of time has gone into creating our designs, and the layout of design elements strategic in the overall design however, we can change font colors as well as background colors to some degree, depending upon the design.  Please reach out to us at support@mypaintedporch.com if you have questions 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑 to ordering to be sure. 

I see a canvas sign on your site that I really like, but would like to have it as a metal sign.  Is this possible?

Absolutely!  All of our canvas designs are available on metal, and all of our metal designs are available on canvas!  Please see the drop-down menus of our listing products for your material options!

I see a sign on your site that I like but would like it a bit less distressed.  Is this possible? 

To some degree, yes, but not in all cases. Some of our designs will allow for that level of adjustment however, others will not. The reverse however, cannot be created without additional design fees incurred. Kindly reach out to us at support@mypaintedporch.com to be sure once you have a specific design in mind.

PRODUCTION TIMES

How long will it take to produce my order?

Production times will typically take anywhere from 3-5 days depending upon the number of orders in the queue, and size of sign. Please be aware that larger CANVAS signs may require longer production times, and may fall within a production time range of 7-12 business days. Metal signs, regardless of size, will typically see production times of 2-3 business days.

CUSTOM ORDERS

Do you take CUSTOM ORDERS?

We most certainly do!  Reach out to us at support@mypaintedporch.com with your idea, and we will be more than happy to provide you with a quote, which will include the design fee of your custom order!  Due to the considerable amount of time required in creating your custom order design, we cannot offer proofs prior to receiving your order, and we do require an up-front deposit of $75 prior to commencing any and all design work. This deposit is non-refundable should you decide to not proceed with the order for any reason, as it is a fee for the CUSTOM DESIGN WORK.  The fee however, will be applied toward your custom order once you proceed with your order.  We so look forward to helping you bring your idea to life!

SHIPPING INFO

Do you ship INTERNATIONALLY?

We currently ship within Canada and within Continental US only. We are unable to ship to PO Boxes within Canada or US.

What are your SHIPPING RATES and DELIVERY STANDARDS?

We offer FREE SHIPPING within Canada and Continental US with delivery standards as follows:

- Canada – 2-7 business days

- US – 2-5 business days

Please be aware that shipping delivery standards are approximate.  Once out of our facilities and in the care of shipping carriers, we are not responsible for shipping delays which are beyond our control in unexpected events such as labour disruptions, inclement weather, peak shopping seasons etc.

Can you RUSH my order if I am in a hurry for it?

In some cases, we are able to offer both expedited production and shipping upgrades at additional fees, but on a case-by-case basis only depending upon the item, size of the item and where it is shipping to. If you require either, we ask that you reach out to us at support@mypaintedporch.com to let us know PRIOR to placing your order so that we may provide you with a shipping upgrade cost as provided to us by carriers.

When can I expect to see my item ship?

Typically, our items are produced within 2-12 business days from the time of you approving your proof for personalized items. We realize that that’s a broad window, however production times will vary according to materials, sizes, and where the item will be shipping to.

Upon receiving shipping confirmation of your order, we will come back to you to provide you with your tracking number. We are big on communication here at My Painted Porch, and commit ourselves to keeping you informed along the way.

Is there an order value limit that qualifies me for FREE SHIPPING?

No, there is not!  All orders qualify for FREE SHIPPING both within Continental US and within Canada without minimums.

Will I be charged CUSTOMS DUTY or TARIFFS?

Absolutely not!  Because we produce and ship natively, we are able to ship within Canada, as well as within Continental US with no Customs Duty or Tariffs within Canada and US both! In other words, US orders will ship from within US, and Canadian orders will ship from within Canada, thus allowing you to support your local economy, receive your order as quickly as possible, and avoid any hidden or unexpected fees!  We don’t like costly surprises either!

Which SHIPPING CARRIERS do you use?

We typically use FedEx or UPS where possible, and other major carriers when necessary, depending upon the fastest routes and those most cost effective.  We ship to you with the quickest, safest, most reliable and economical method possible, and stay atop carrier labour disputes to see you with your order without interruption where at all possible.

I need to CHANGE the SHIPPING ADDRESS for my order!

It is the customer’s responsibility to double-ck that the shipping address is correct at the time of ordering, as well as your email address, active.  As once your order goes into production, we are unable to make changes.  Please be sure of the correct address at the time of ordering to avoid delays or a lost package due to an incorrect address, which we can not be held responsible for.

What if my item HASN’T YET ARRIVED?

During peak seasons ie Christmas time, or bad weather, or in the event of carrier labour strikes, it can happen that your order gets caught up in a shipping gridlock. However rare, it can happen. We ask that you be patient as these situations are completely out of our hands, and beyond our control. Please make us aware of the situation however, as we may be able to obtain info from the shipper further to that offered on their online tracking site.  Contact us at support@mypaintedporch.com with your enquiry, and we are more than happy to look into it further on your behalf.

What if my item arrives DAMAGED?

Altho expertly packaged with great attention paid to packing, on the extremely rare occasion, damage can occur to items while in transit.  If you receive a damaged item or one with defects, please reach out to us right away at support@mypaintedporch.com with photos of the item’s damage, and its original packaging which we ask that you retain as well. Once inspected, our support team will reach out to you upon conclusion, initiate a replacement order for your damaged item, and dispatch to you 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄!

RETURN POLICY

Do you offer Returns, Exchanges, Refunds or Cancellations?

Please note that due to the made-to-order nature of our products and them being created just for you, but also that we do not carry a stock or inventory in our studio, we are unable to accept returns, exchanges, nor do we offer refunds. Should your order arrive damaged or defective however, you can contact us directly at support@www.mypaintedporch.com and a duplicate will be issued free of charge upon receipt of photos demonstrating the damage incurred or said defect. We thank you for your understanding!

Do you allow cancellations?

Please note that orders automatically enter into production once placed. We therefor cannot accept cancellations. Kindly contact us at support@www.mypaintedporch.com with any questions or concerns you may have BEFORE before completing your purchase.

BUSINESS HOURS

I still have QUESTIONS!

For sure, send us a message! You can contact us at support@mypaintedporch.com at any time. Please note that our business hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm Atlantic Time, and that our mail inbox is not monitored outside of these hours. We will get back to you during our normal operating business hours.

Where are you LOCATED?

Our design studio is located on Canada’s east coast in a beautiful valley nestled within the Appalachian range in Restigouche, New Brunswick, with state-of-the-art production facility partners located in the USA and Canada.

My Painted Porch…inspiring Home! 🏡

  • Farmhouse Style & Charm

  • Free Shipping, Duty & Tariff Free

  • Indoor & Outdoor Spaces

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