Everything you need to know about photo prints from Uppercase Living

©2009 Uppercase Living®
, LLC. All rights reserved.UP Photo Prints FAQs_1009 1
UL Photo Prints FAQs
With our innovative UL Photo Prints™ application, your customers can transform any high-quality photo into
a larger-than-life, dynamic vinyl décor element in just four simple steps. To help you navigate the Photo Prints
application more easily, we’ve compiled a series of Frequently Asked Questions below. We hope this information
will help you answer your customers’ questions as they create their Photo Prints and use them to express their
unique personalities and interests.
UL photo print basics
1. What is a Photo Print made of?
Every Photo Print you create will be printed on special
vinyl that is easily applied and that can be removed
and reused again and again.
2. Approximately how many times can I reuse my
Photo Print?
As long as it is applied to a clean, dry surface—free of
dust and debris—your Photo Print should be reusable
over and over again.
3. Can Photo Prints be wiped and cleaned like the
regular vinyl?
Yes.
4. Do I need to be a digital photography expert to
order or assist someone in ordering a Photo Print?
No. With some simple digital photography basics and help
from the UL Photo Prints application, anyone who can take
digital photos, transfer them to their computer, and shop on
the Web should be able to order a Photo Print.
SELECTING A PHOTO FOR YOUR PHOTO PRINT
5. I want to shoot a photo for my Photo Print. What
should I keep in mind?
For the best results, use a 3- to 10-megapixel camera
on its highest resolution setting, avoid using the digital
“zoom” function (optical zoom is ok), and do not
change the resolution of the photo before you upload it
in the UL Photo Prints application. See the chart under
Question #12 for specific details on the size of Photo
Print you can likely create with your camera.
6. As I select my photo for UL Photo Prints, what
should I look for?
The UL Photo Print application is programmed to
consider general photo quality and will not accept
photos that are too poor of quality to produce even a
2' x 2' Photo Print. The application cannot identify
every aspect of poor quality, however, so we
recommend selecting a photo that is:
•

Clear and crisp, well lit, and in focus
• An original photo (cropped or enlarged images
could result in a blurry or pixilated Photo Print)
• Free of shadows or reflections that may be
more noticeable on an enlarged photo
If you plan to create a contour-cut Photo Print, your
object of interest should be the focal point, it should
fill a large portion of the frame of the photo, and you
should be able to cut out the background from the
object without obstructions from other photo characters
and without any missing limbs, etc. See the chart
under Question #12 for specific details on the size of
Photo Print you can create with your camera.
7. What photo file formats do you accept?
Uppercase Living accepts the following file formats:
JPG, PNG, GIF, TIF, and BMP.
8. Is there a limit to how big my photo file size can be
when I upload it in the Photo Prints application?
Yes. The maximum file size is 10 MB.
9. The Photo Print application states that my photo
should be “complete” in order to create an adequate
contour-cut Photo Print. What does this mean, exactly?
“Complete” means that the object you choose to cut
out of your photo should be an independent image
Margie Lewis
Independent Demonstrator
(709) 639 1338
youcanexpressitinvinyl@yahoo.ca
http://margielewis.uppercaseliving.net

2 ©2009 Uppercase Living®
, LLC. All rights reserved.MyDesign Suite FAQs_1009
when it is removed from its background. Pay particular
attention to whether or not your defined object is
obstructed by other objects in the photo, includes
noticeable shadows or reflections, or is missing legs,
arms, etc.
10. What does it mean to have my contour-cut Photo
Print object “fill the frame” of my uploaded photo?
In this instance, we are referring to the edges of your
photo as a frame. Look at the object of your photo
again with the “frame” in mind. Does the object fill
most of your photo, or is it only a small object in
the distance?
11. I want to use a printed photo for my Photo Print
but I don’t have a digital copy of the photo. Is there
still a way to use the photo for my Photo Print?
Many photo shops and camera stores will digitize (scan)
photos and, depending on the quality of the digitizing
process, can give you a photo that will look great as a
Photo Print. However, there are several ways of digitizing
a printed photo, so digitizing does not guarantee that your
photo will have the same quality as the one taken digitally.
12. What size of Photo Print can I expect to create
with my specific digital camera?
To determine the size of Photo Print you can create with
your digital camera, refer to the chart to the right, keeping
in mind that this is a general guideline and not an exact
representation. The chart assumes that you have set your
camera to its highest resolution setting and—if you intend
to create a contour-cut Photo Print—are capturing an
object that makes up at least 75% of your photo’s frame.
Be aware that within the Photo Print application, a full
photo may yield more size selections and a contour-cut
photo with a defined object that makes up less than 75%
of the full frame may yield fewer size selections. If your
image is blurred, out of focus, or lacked enough light when
it was taken, it will not print well, even if it is within the
right dimensions or was taken with the proper megapixels.
Please remember that the Photo Prints application
itself will give you your Photo Print size options once
you have uploaded your photo and defined your object
(for a contour-cut only), so you don’t need to be overly
concerned with understanding this chart. If in doubt,
simply try it out!
13. I know what photo I want to use for my Photo
Print. What size of Photo Print can I create with it?
The easiest way for most users to determine available
Photo Print sizes is to upload a photo in the Photo Prints
application and allow the system to display the sizes you
can create, based on the quality of your photo and the
size of your defined object (for a contour-cut Photo Print).
Intermediate users can estimate the size of Photo Print
your photo can create by first determining the pixel
dimensions of your photo and then comparing those
dimensions with the chart on the following page. This
can be done by opening your photo in any picture-
viewing program on your computer and viewing the
image properties. (Sometimes this information is easiest
to acquire by right-clicking on the photo/file reference in
Windows File Explorer and accessing the “properties”
option.) With your photo dimensions, you can then refer to
the Approximate Pixel Dimensions of Your Photo column
in the chart on the following page to determine the size
of Photo Print your photo can likely produce (depending
upon the type of Photo Print you wish to create).
The chart on the following page is a general guideline and
assumes that the object of your photo—if you intend to
create a contour-cut Photo Print—makes up at least 75% of
your photo’s frame. Be aware that within the Photo Print
application, a full photo may yield more size selections
and a contour-cut photo with a defined object that makes
up less than 75% of the full frame may yield fewer size
Approximate
Camera Resolution
Available Photo Print Sizes
2 x 2 4 x 4 5 x 4 6 x 4 8 x 4
3 megapixels •
4 megapixels • •
5 megapixels • • •
6 megapixels • • • •
10 megapixels • • • • •

selections. If your image is blurred, out of focus, or lacked
enough light when it was taken, it will not print well, even
if it is within the right dimensions or was taken with the
proper megapixels.
A Note for More Curious Users
You don’t have to be a technology guru to
order a Photo Print, particularly since the
Photo Print application walks you right
through the ordering process and allows you
to order only those options that are available
for the photo you have uploaded. While most
users may not care, some users like a bit more
detail on how digital images and Photo Prints
work. For you, here’s more information—not
essential, but interesting to note.
Digital image quality and enlargement
capability is a characteristic of the number
of basic image elements or dots—commonly
referred to as pixels—that are packed into a
given image. A pixel is one dot element in a
digital photograph, and each digital image is
made up of millions of these tiny pixels.
A digital camera is measured by the millions
of pixels (mega = million, 1 million pixels
= 1 megapixel) it can capture in a single
photograph. The more pixels captured in the
image, the more likely the image can be scaled
to your desired Photo Print size without losing
significant quality. As a photo is enlarged, the
loss of quality becomes apparent in the form
of graininess or pixilation, especially when
viewed at close range. On larger Photo Prints,
some pixilation may be acceptable, since you
will most likely be viewing the picture from a
distance. When you look at your Photo Print
from a few feet away, the dots (or pixels) you
see up close will blend together to form one
solid, great-looking image.
Digital photos are typically captured and stored
in the form of a rectangle. Each digital photo
can be measured by the number of pixels wide
and the number of pixels high. For instance,
a 6-megapixel photo measures approximately
3,000 pixels wide by 2,000 pixels high (3,000 x
2,000 = 6,000,000 pixels or 6 megapixels).
14. Can I use a photo program to crop and enlarge an
object in my photo before I upload it?
It is highly recommended that you avoid adjusting
your original photo in any way. When you crop or
enlarge an object from your image in a photo program,
you artificially spread the same number of pixels out
over a larger area, which will cause your photo to lose
resolution quality. However, if you do enlarge the
object in your photo editing program, and the image
still meets the pixel requirements in our system, you
will be able to upload and print the image.
15. I want to order a contour-cut Photo Print. If I
define my object within the Photo Prints application
using only a general box, how will you know exactly
what I want you to cut out?
There is an extra step in the Photo Print manufacturing
process where an image technician manually identifies
the object you wish to contour cut—using the box you
draw as a general guideline—and determines the best
way to cut out the object. Because of this extra step, it is
not feasible for us to provide you with the visual results
online during the ordering process, but we are confident
that you will be pleased with the final product.
16. Can I create a black and white version of my
photo within the Photo Print application?
No, you will need to change your photo to black and
white using a photo editing program before you upload
it in the Photo Print application. If you simply change
the photo’s color to black and white, you shouldn’t lose
Approximate pixel
dimensions
of your photo
Available Photo Print Sizes
2 x 2 4 x 4 5 x 4 6 x 4 8 x 4
2050 x 1550 •
2450 x 1600 • •
2600 x 1900 • • •
3300 x 2450 • • • •
3900 x 2600 • • • • •

any quality on the resolution of the photo; however, keep
in mind that any additional manipulation of your original
photo may cause you to lose quality.
17. I want to place my Photo Print on the inside of a
window. Can Uppercase Living mirror my Photo Print
so that the photo shows on the side with the adhesive?
Uppercase Living is unable to process Photo Prints in
this manner.
18. Can I upload a logo for my Photo Print?
Yes. Logos can be uploaded if they are not licensed
or trademark protected by another individual or if
you obtain permission from the licensor or trademark
owner. Similar conditions may apply to a photo of the
logo. For more details, refer to the legal Terms of Use
on the Uppercase Living website. Since most logos are
detailed or intricate, please be aware that your Photo
Print may only be border-cut (contour-cut with a white
border around the edges and with white vinyl between
letters or images on the interior of the logo).
19. Can Uppercase Living cut out the interior of a logo?
Uppercase Living treats logos differently than lifestyle
shots within the Photo Prints process. If a logo is
uploaded, it will be border-cut, meaning the outer
edges of the logo will be cut out but any details on the
interior of the logo will not be cut.
20. Am I allowed to create a Photo Print of a celebrity?
As long as the photo you use is not copyrighted by
another individual or you have permission from
the copyright owner. Additional permission may be
required to make any commercial use of the photo.
For more details, refer to the legal Terms of Use on
the Uppercase Living website.
21. Do I need to prove permissions to use
professional photos?
Permission is needed from the owner of any
copyrighted photo used to create a Photo Print. For
more details, please refer to the legal Terms of Use on
the Uppercase Living website.
USING THE PHOTO PRINT APPLICATION
22. When would I need to use multiple boxes when
defining objects for my contour-cut Photo Print?
If your photo includes two or more objects and you
wish to contour-cut the objects individually, you may
need to identify those objects using multiple boxes.
See below for more details:
If the object(s) is touching your primary object,
simply draw a single box around both objects and
they will be included in one contour-cut shape.
If the object(s) is not touching your primary object,
draw boxes around each object. Each item will then
be printed together on the size of vinyl you indicate
in the Photo Prints application and cut out separately.
23. How will the Value Pack come?
Your Value Pack will include the following replicas
of your original contour-cut Photo Print. If your
contour-cut Photo Print includes multiple objects
that are cut out separately, your Value Pack images
will arrive the same way.
• Two 8 silhouettes (black only)
• One 10 color graphic
• One 18 color graphic
24. I selected a contour-cut Photo Print, but I don’t
see the cutout I defined displayed in the shopping
cart. Did I do something wrong?
No. There is an extra step in the Photo Print
manufacturing process where an image technician
manually identifies the object you wish to contour
cut and determines the best way to cut out the object.
Because of this extra step, it is not feasible for us to
provide you with the visual results online during the
ordering process; however, we are confident that you
will be pleased with the final product.
25. The photo I selected for my contour-cut Photo
Print is of high enough quality to upload; however,
when I define my object, I cannot click the Next
button to continue.
You may be trying to define too small an object for
the quality of your uploaded photo. When you define
an object by drawing a box around it, the system
2
1

effectively enlarges that portion of the image and then
determines if the image can be used for a Photo Print.
Because a great deal of quality could be lost in the
process (increasing the size spreads the same number
of pixels out over a larger area), the system may not
allow you to proceed to the next step because the
resulting Photo Print would be too pixilated (grainy)
for even the smallest Photo Print. We recommend
uploading a photo of higher quality, defining a larger
area to contour cut, or finding an acceptable photo with
an object that fills more of the frame.
26. I am only able to create a square Photo Print with
my rectangular photo. How will Uppercase Living
make my photo fit?
If your photo is rectangular but can only be purchased
as a square, or you wish to have your image in the 2'x2'
or 4'x4' size, the image will be proportionately resized
to fit on the selected size of vinyl. For example, if you
upload a horizontal 4'x3' photo and select the 4'x4' size,
the image will be 4 feet wide but only about 3 feet tall,
and any unprinted vinyl will be removed. Don’t worry;
Uppercase Living will not crop your photo or distort it
in any way as we create your Photo Print.
ORDERING YOUR PHOTO PRINT
27. I received my Photo Print and was surprised to
see that my image was somewhat grainy when I view
it up close. Is this correct?
The bigger the Photo Print, the more likely it is to
appear a bit grainy or pixilated when viewing it up
close. Keep in mind that all Photo Prints are meant
to be viewed from a distance, similar to a big screen
TV. When you look at your Photo Print from a few feet
away, the dots (or pixels) you see will blend together
to form one solid, great-looking image. Because
Photo Prints are generally meant to be viewed from a
distance, we have tried to establish a balance between
the need for uploading a very high-quality image and
one’s desire to select as large a Photo Print as possible
from an average digital camera. The Photo Prints
application enforces our minimum level of acceptance
based on anticipated viewing distance. Of course, the
higher the quality of the photo you upload, the higher
the quality of the final product.
28. What's the exchange policy on Photo Prints?
Similar to other MyDesign expressions, we will
exchange Photo Prints that have manufacturing
defects, are damaged, dirty, etc. The customer
will receive a Photo Print of the same photo as a
replacement. UL may require that the original Photo
Print be returned before a new one is sent. Any other
issues regarding exchanges or returns will need to
be handled on a case-by-case basis by having the
Demonstrator contact Demonstrator Services.
29. I created a Photo Print of my son on the football
field, but when it arrived, my son’s leg in the photo
was shaded green. Did I do something wrong?
Look closely again at your original photo. If your
son is standing in grass or on another green surface,
the green on his leg is most likely a reflection of that
surface. If you choose to take a photo in bright lighting,
make sure you pay close attention to how surrounding
objects might affect the object you wish to cut out. Are
other objects casting shadows or reflections on your
primary object? If so, try to either find another photo
or take the photo in the early morning or late evening,
when the sun is not quite so glaring.
APPLYING YOUR PHOTO PRINT
30. Do you have any special tips for applying Photo
Prints (particularly the large ones)?
Please refer to the application instructions and
application video, which are available on any
Demonstrator Website and on www.uppercaseliving.com.
Application instructions will also be available with every
Photo Print you or your customer purchases.
31. Can I apply my Photo Print to any surface?
As long as the surface is clean, smooth, and dry, nearly
any surface (e.g., walls, cabinets, windows, wallpaper)
will work. Pebbly or rough-textured walls are not
friendly to Photo Prints.
32. Will my Photo Print damage my wall?
No. Photo Prints are perfectly safe for walls. The vinyl’s
special low-tack adhesive does not leave any residue
and will not pull off paint as long as the paint is in good
condition and isn’t already peeling. If you are concerned
about damage to your surface, we recommend removing
and reapplying your Photo Print every 6 months.

33. How do I move my Photo Print to a new location?
Identify a new location for your Photo Print and clean
the surface using a dry, lint-free cloth. With the help of
a friend (or two friends, if your Photo Print is large),
carefully remove the Photo Print from the original surface
and either carry it (if it is within walking distance) or
place the Photo Print on its backing paper and transport it
to its new location.
34. Should I save the backing paper of my
UL Photo Print?
Definitely. We recommend saving both the backing
paper and the tube your Photo Print came in so you will
have a safe place to put your Photo Print should you
need to move or store it.
35. What if I want to move my Photo Print but no
longer have the backing paper it came on?
Use wax paper. Peel the Photo Print off its surface and
place it on a clean, flat surface STICKY SIDE UP. Place
enough wax paper to cover the entire area of your
Photo Print, then roll up the Photo Print around a large
tube. Do not fold your Photo Print! Folding will create
creases that will be difficult to smooth out completely.
QUESTIONS FOR DEMONSTRATORS
36. Could the Home Office provide Demonstrators
with access to the photos found in the UL Photo
Prints brochure?
Uppercase Living hopes to provide select Photo Print
photos for Demonstrator use in the near future. When these
photos become available, Demonstrators should refer to the
Advertising Policy and Logo Usage Guide for guidance on
appropriate use of photos within their business.
37. I’m a UL Demonstrator. Can I take pictures of the
UL Logo and upload that to purchase?
Demonstrators may use the provided UL Independent
Demonstrator logo located in the Document Library for
your Photo Print. Demonstrators and customers are not
allowed to use the corporate Uppercase Living logo,
however. Please refer to the Advertising Policy and
Logo Usage Guide for more information on the proper
use of UL logos.
38. Is UL going to provide us with professional photos
to use? We could use ones for golf, football, baseball,
dance, etc.
Uppercase Living has provided a photo as a Supply
Item that can be purchased and used as a sample
($29.95; Supply Item #200350). Demonstrators and
customers may also use stock photographs that they
have purchased and have rights to on sites such as
www.istockphoto.com. It is important to make sure the
purchased stock photos are high-resolution images.
39. If I add a Photo Print to my order, will it slow the
order process down?
Photo Prints typically should not slow your order down.
Uppercase Living is continually doing our very best to
maintain the processing speed of every order, whether
or not a Photo Print is included.
40. Can a Hostess get a Photo Print with her free and
half-priced items?
Yes. Like other items, Photo Prints qualify for Hostess
Rewards. In addition, they can be purchased using
Living Rewards product credits.
41. Can Demonstrators order a small sample sheet
(similar to the one that was available at the 2009
Convention) to showcase?
Demonstrators can order a 48 x 30 Photo Print sample
sheet as a Supply Item ($29.95; Supply Item #200350).
42. Can Demonstrators order only the Value Pack items
without purchasing a regularly sized Photo Print?
No. Value Pack items are only available as an upgrade
to a 4' x 4' and larger contour-cut Photo Print order.
43. How will Demonstrators order Photo Prints for
their customers?
Customers can access the Photo Prints user interface
on MyDesign Suite from their Demonstrator’s
Premium Website. This interface will allow customers
to create their Photo Prints and either (1) save them to
be added later to an Individual or Open House order
by a Demonstrator or (2) purchase them directly using
the shopping cart functionality. Demonstrators can
access a similar user interface from the main menu
on UL Express, where they can create a new design,
retrieve/change a previously saved design, and add
designs to an order.
Margie Lewis
Independent Demonstrator
(709) 639 1338
youcanexpressitinvinyl@yahoo.ca

Everything you need to know about photo prints from Uppercase Living

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Everything you need to know about photo prints from Uppercase Living