Artwork Instructions: Create Great Art!

We suggest using any of the following:

• Crayons (press hard, and use the darker colors for best results)
• Markers
• Tempera or Acrylic Paints
• Paper Collages (be sure to glue all the edges down)
• Photos
• Bold Intense Watercolors
• Black Marker for outlining

Do NOT use these:

• Glitter of any kind
• Abrasives (sand, salt, etc.)
• 3D Materials
• Scratch art/Scratch board
• Copyright/trademark items

We understand that kids LOVE glitter and it can add a pretty sparkle to an art project.  However, when the artwork is scanned the glitter actually reflects the light and that fun sparkle is lost, which results in dark specs.

It also can get into our equipment, and that’s not so pretty either!  So we ask that you save the glitter and shine for another project.

This includes ALL types of glitter- sprinkled, crayons, markers, glue, paint, etc. 

They may look shiny and bright on paper, but they simply do not reproduce with the same vivid brightness. Often the colors will appear dull and not true to color (ex.: pinks will look purple)
So, to avoid disappointment, we ask that you avoid the glow and shine and stay with more traditional colors for this project.

EXAMPLES:

We are sure you know what a mess it can be working with pastels. Often in transit, they can smudge and stick together, and create an even bigger mess.

If you choose to use oil or chalk pastels, please do so with caution. They MUST be sprayed with a fixative such as Krylon #1311 Matte Fixative.

PRO TIP:  Rub your hand across the artwork. We will not process them if:

• Color comes off or it feels sticky or scratchy
• There is glitter or chalk

If you are using colored pencils for your projects, be sure to press hard! If students color too lightly it can be hard to reproduce. 

Yes! Bright, bold colors look great. Just use caution and go easy on the amount of water used.

Please don’t add salt to the paint. The salt can be abrasive and scratch our equipment. It can also impact the appearance of the final products by casting lines on the image.

Glue is accepted as long as it is completely dry with no sharp peaks and there are no gobs that chip off. 

Abrasives are just that… abrasive. Sand, salt, globs of glue or paint. These can all create scratches on our equipment which will in turn appear on products.

A good way to check if you think paint could be too think, or something “scratchy” could be on it, is to lightly rub your hand over the artwork.  If paint is rough or flakes off, we will not process it.

3D objects first of all are not 3D when reproduced which can lead to disappointment. They often will lead to shadowing and become flattened during our production process.
Some common 3D objects include:

• Cotton balls
• Foam cutouts
• Wiggly eyes
• Feathers
• Yarn

We don’t recommend this.  Please know that acetate will sometimes alter the colors visually because of how the scanner light hits the surface. 

If you do use it, please to be sure to firmly affix the laminations/acetate and ensure that it is cut to the correct size with no hang over.