PosterDog ® Frequently Asked Questions
General & Order Placement
- How do I upload images and order prints?
- What type of paper/material can I have my image printed on?
- How should I place my order?
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- How long will it take you to prepare my order for shipping?
- How long will it take for my order to arrive?
- How can I check the status of my order?
- Is it possible to cancel my order?
- Can I ship to more than one address?
Image Files and Sizes
- What types of image formats do you accept?
- Do you only print photo files?
- Do you have a limit on the size of image files you will accept?
- How do I know what size poster is best for my image?
- Does the website offer any feedback regarding file size, resolution and the appropriate size of the print?
- What kind of images can I have printed?
Shipping
- How will you ship my order?
- What if my order was damaged in transit?
- Where can I have my order shipped?
Guarantee & Others
- Does PosterDog offer a product guarantee?
- What is the procedure for returning a product?
- Do you have any helpful hints for using the Collage Maker?
- Do you have instructions for using the Adhesive Accessories?
GENERAL AND ORDER PLACEMENT
Select Image
By clicking on the "Pick file" button, you can find image files on your hard drive, CD-ROM, the memory card of your digital camera, your USB-stick or any other drive or device attached to your computer. Simply go to the directory that contains the image files you're after and select an image.Choose Product and Size
Simply choose the product you'd like to have your image printed on from the drop down list. Then just click on the size of print you would like.
We display our most popular sizes at the top. Just below these you can click on the "more sizes" drop down box and you'll see many additional sizes to choose from. We organize sizes into groups based on the aspect ratio of most digital cameras (e.g., 4:3, 3:2, etc) as well as other categories like panorama sizes, common paper sizes and popular poster sizes.
If you cannot find the size you'd like, please contact us and we will do what we can to accommodate your request.Upload and Check Picture
When you click on this button, we will upload your image onto our system and analyze the image for quality. Once this is done, we will present a visual look at your image with a corresponding "grade" of how well that image will print based on the print size you've selected. You will then have the option to make changes to either the image or the selected size.
- What type of paper/material can I have my image printed on?
Currently you have the option of printing on professional grade photographic paper or on a heavy weight artist canvas. Our photo paper has a semi-gloss finish (satin) finish which gives a rich look without creating hot spots or glare. This paper is specially designed to bring vivid colors to life and ensure those colors don't fade over time. Our photo paper has a weight of 235gsm, or 9.1 mil. By comparison, traditional posters -- something you might buy in a store or even from some online shops -- have a weight of only 60-70gsm. This means that your PosterDog poster print will be far more durable and of greater quality than your run of the mill poster.
Similarly, we use a heavy weight artist canvas for our canvas prints. With this woven-textured material, digital prints take on a beautiful artistic look -- blending the clarity of photo images with the textured look of canvas. You're going to love the way it looks!
- How should I place my order?
The best way to place your order is by using our secure website. Just follow the simple step-by-step instructions. However, if you need help or have a question you don?t find answered here, please contact us by email at support@posterdog.com or by calling us at 1-800-565-2487. We will be more than happy to assist you.
- What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. We also accept payment via PayPal. All of our transactions are processed using advanced SSL encryption technology.
- How long will it take you to prepare my order for shipping?
Please view our production and shipping guidelines page for details.
- How long will it take for my order to arrive?
Please view our production and shipping guidelines page for details.
- How can I check the status of my order?
You'll receive an Order Confirmation email once your order has been placed. This lets you know we have received your order and have begun processing your image(s) for production. Once we transfer your order to our shipping partner, you will receive a Shipping Confirmation email notifying you that it's on its way. Additionally, your Shipping Confirmation email will include a tracking number that you can track your shipment and know when it's expected to be delivered.
- Is it possible to cancel my order?
If you realize that you have made a mistake after you have already submitted your order for processing, please call us immediately and we will attempt to cancel it for you. However, because these prints are customized we will be unable to cancel orders that have already been printed.
- Can I ship to more than one address?
We currently offer the option of shipping to only one address. To ship prints to different addresses, you will need to place individual orders for each shipping address.
IMAGE FILES and PRINT SIZES
- What types of image formats do you accept?
We process all common image formats. Normally your digital camera produces these formats. These include JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PNG, etc. Additionally, we accept PDF files.
- Do you only print photo files?
We print all sorts of images for our customers. The most common type of image we print is photographic images but we also print a lot of illustration and graphics images used for signs, office announcements, presentations, you name it! If you have any question, please give us a call at 1-800-565-2487, or email us at production@posterdog.com.
- Do you have a limit on the size of image files you will accept?
Our file servers are programmed to limit the size of an individual file to 50MB. We will process all files within that limit. Should your image file be larger than 50MB, please contact us and we will work with you to get your image processed manually. Should we need to process your images manually we charge a manual handling fee of $5.00 for the first image and $2.50 per image thereafter..
- How do I know what size poster is best for my image?
There are several factors that influence what the best poster size is for your digital image. The primary factors are File Size, Aspect Ratio and Resolution (or pixels), each of which is explained below.File Size: typically, the bigger the file size of a digital image, the higher the quality it is. A good rule of thumb is that files of 1-2MB are good for producing posters. File sizes of 2MB or higher typically produce outstanding large format prints.
Aspect Ratio: this refers to the dimension used by the camera to capture digital images. Most digital cameras today are set at a 4:3 aspect ratio. That means that the long side of the image is 4 parts while the short side is 3 parts. Similarly, a 3:2 aspect ratio means that the long side is 3 parts while the short side is 2 parts. We've organized your choice of poster sizes into similar groups to make it easier to select the best poster dimension for your image.
Resolution: resolution refers to the number of pixels a file contains. Similar to file size, the more pixels a file contains the greater the quality and the larger the poster that can be created from it. The number of pixels a file contains is determined by the camera from which the image was created. As a rule of thumb, a file should contain 100 pixels per inch.
So if you are using a 4:3 camera (most digital cameras use this aspect ratio) that has a resolution of 3200 x 2400 (this is the equivalent of 8 mega-pixels), you would have a very good quality print up to 32" x 24". However, because most large format posters are viewed from a few feet away, in this example you'd probably still have a print that looks good if you were to go as large as 48" x 36".
NOTE: while typically prints are referred to by the horizontal and then the vertical (e.g. 36"x24") on our size options, we always list the smaller dimension first, regardless of whether it is the vertical or the horizontal. Our system automatically orients the picture once you upload it.
- Does the website offer any feedback regarding file size, resolution and the appropriate size
of the print?
Yes it does. Once you select you image, select the size poster you want and upload the image file, our software will analyze your image file to determine whether the print size you have selected matches the pixel make up of your image. We provide this feedback in two ways:
Image Quality Tool
The image quality tool automatically checks the pixels contained in the uploaded image against your desired poster size and provides immediate feedback on the quality level of the image when printed. We use a simple system that identifies the match between file quality, i.e. pixel size, and selected print size. We give each image a rating of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Poor, or Unsuitable.
Images that result in Excellent, Very Good, or Good will make for a poster that you will be very happy with. A Poor result will show some granulation, which may be OK if you are planning on the poster being viewed from a distance (across the room, for example). Images that are declared Unsuitable will likely appear very grainy, even when viewed from a distance. As a result, we will not permit you to print a file with an Unsuitable rating. To get a better quality print, you should decrease the size of the poster you have selected. If you select a different print size, the tool will update the match results.
The following chart is a simple color-coded guide with some examples of image file sizes and various poster sizes.
NOTE: The Image Quality Tool only reviews the file size and associated pixels. It CAN NOT determine if the image is out of focus, has a finger in it, or has other errors or imperfections in the file. Please carefully review your image to ensure that the original image is of suitable quality.
Image Preview & Print Size
What if I'm still unsure about the best size for my image?
Another thing we check is the aspect ratio of your uploaded image against the poster size you selected. We display text telling you whether your file matches your print size. If it does the result will say "YES." If not, it will display "NOT QUITE." In either case it will show you what the print size will be. Click on the (?) icon and you'll see instructions on what you can do to fix things.
Additionally, you'll see a preview of your image with an option for cropping your image. Click on the image to activate the CROP tool. Move the highlight box around or grab the corner and make the highlight box smaller to focus in on the area you want printed. Then just click the CROP button and you'll be all set.
If you are still unsure about a suitable size print for your image, give us a call or shoot us an email, and we'll walk you through the options
- What kind of images can I have printed?
We will gladly print any photo, graphic or illustration file that belongs to you, or that you have the rights to use. If you are printing a copyrighted image or a picture taken by a professional photographer, you will need to certify that you have obtained the owner's permission to print such images.
IMPORTANT: It your sole responsibility to ensure that you have the necessary authorizations and/or permissions to use the images you are uploading. We will not print any image that we consider to be threatening, obscene, pornographic or profane material, or any other material that could infringe the rights of any third party or the persons who are in the images. We will refuse to print any image which, in our opinion, may be illegal in nature and which may give rise to any civil or criminal liability under applicable law. We reserve the right to refuse to print images without disclosing a reason.
SHIPPING
- How will you ship my order?
All orders are handled and packed with great care. We ship poster prints in extra strength shipping tubes to provide a guard against damage as well as preventing bending or scratching. Canvas and framed prints are wrapped in protective wrapping and shipped in sturdy, flat boxes.
We ship with both USPS and Federal Express. Once an order is shipped, you will receive a Shipping Confirmation email, along with a tracking number so you may follow the transit progress of your package.
NOTE: USPS tracking is not as robust as FedEx. Consequently, information is often only updated once the package arrives at your local post office.
- What if my order was damaged in transit?
If your print was damaged while in transit, we ask that you please take pictures of the package and its contents as you received them and send them via email to support@posterdog.com. We will contact your shortly afterwards to arrange for a reprint or a refund.
- Where can I have my order shipped?
At PosterDog we currently ship to all of the 50 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. If you wish to ship to another country, please select the country option from the drop down list located at the bottom-right of every page. Our partners in those countries will deliver to you the same outstanding service that we offer at PosterDog. If you're looking to ship to a country or territory outside of those countries, please contact us and we will do what we can to help you.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
- Does PosterDog offer a product guarantee?
Yes, we most certainly do. We're so confident that you'll be pleased with our exceptional quality products that we back up all our products with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Here's how it works:
In the very unlikely event you're ever dissatisfied with the prints you received from us, just contact us within three (3) days of receipt letting us know why you are unhappy. If the product we sent you was defective, we will either reprint it at no expense to you or give you a full refund of the purchase price, less shipping and handling. Please review our refund policy for further details.
At PosterDog our customers are our top priority. As such, we constantly strive to make our customers happy and ensure they get the best quality prints possible. If you have any questions about the print(s) you receive, we encourage you to contact us by phone or email so we can address your questions fully.
- What is the procedure for returning a product?
In the very unlikely event you receive a print that is less than satisfactory, please contact us immediately. We will investigate the problem and work with you to find an acceptable solution. We may ask that you send us photographs of the damage or defect in order to expedite the resolution process.
All we ask is that you contact us before returning a product we produced for you. Contacting us first is likely to save you both time and money on your return.
To contact us regarding returns:
Phone: 1-800-565-2487
Email: support@posterdog.comIf you do need to return a poster, please carefully replace the item in its original packaging and send it via insured mail to:
PosterDog
ATTN: Returns
13333 East 37th Ave
Denver, CO 80239NOTE: Shipping and handling fees cannot be refunded. See Terms & Conditions for more information.
- Do you have any helpful hints for using the Collage Maker?
Yes, we have a FAQ page for the Collage Maker that also includes some very helpful Tips & Tricks section. You can access this by visiting our Collage Page, or going there directly by clicking this link.
- Do you have instructions for using the Adhesive accessories?
You can find product information and instructions for the Adhesive accessory products we carry on our Accessory Product Guides page.




