Artwork Guide

1. Choosing how to send your artwork

Post originals

• Required for all Artbooks and the best option for achieving the highest quality.

• Optional for Digital and Printed Collages.

• Originals can be returned on request or responsibly recycled.

Drop‑off and collection

If you’re local and prefer to drop off and collect your artwork instead of posting it, choose the Drop‑off / Collection option at checkout. The studio address will appear once you’ve selected it. After you place your order, I’ll be in touch to arrange a drop‑off time. You’re also welcome to collect your finished keepsake in person once it’s ready.

Upload photos

• Available for Digital Collages and Printed Collages

• A good option if you prefer not to post originals, or if the artwork is very large, 3D, or too fragile to send

2. Selecting artwork

Choosing which pieces to include can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a big pile. You’re welcome to send everything if that’s easier, and I can help you select the pieces that will work best for your keepsake.

What reproduces best

• Bold colours

• Paint, marker and vivid crayon

• Solid shapes and confident lines

• Textured pieces, collage and thick paint digitise beautifully

What is more challenging
Light pencil drawings can be harder to reproduce clearly, but I do my best to lift contrast and bring out detail. If a piece is very faint, I’ll let you know and offer options.

Double‑sided artwork
If your child has drawn on both sides of a page, each side counts as one artwork.
If there are sides you don’t want included, you can mark them lightly in pencil (e.g., “Do not include”). I’ll only digitise the sides you want in your keepsake.

3. What to send

Great to include

• Drawings

• Paintings

• School projects

• Doodles

• Collages

• Handwritten notes

• Early scribbles

• Favourite characters

• Art from different ages

Optional extras

• Photos of 3D creations (clay, Lego, cardboard sculptures)

• Certificates or awards

• Small pieces from notebooks or scrap paper

What not to send

• Anything irreplaceable that you’re uncomfortable posting

• Items with wet paint or loose glitter

• Very fragile pieces that may not survive the post

4. If you’re sending or dropping off originals

Preparing the artwork

• Gently flatten folded or curled pieces

• Remove artwork from frames or bulky folders (unless they are glued in, like Kindy books)

• Remove tape, blu‑tack, or staples if possible

• Keep glitter, textured paint, and collage materials intact

• Include all pieces you want digitised

Captions for Artbooks

• If you’d like captions, write "caption" then the caption in pencil either on the artwork itself, the back of it, or on a small note attached to the artwork (e.g., a Post‑it)

• Caption limits: Artbook 30 & 50 - up to 5, Artbook 80 - up to 10 and Artbook 120 - up to 20

If you’d like a specific order for your Artbook

• If you have a preferred cover artwork, place that piece on top of your originals and note it when you enter your cover title on the customisation form

• Keep your artworks in the order you’d like them to appear. I’ll follow your sequence when designing (choose “Keep in sequence” on the customisation form)

• Group artwork by child and separate with paper or wrap individually, if the book is to include artwork from more than one child

Packaging

• Keep artwork flat and protected

• Use a rigid envelope or cardboard backing

• Place artwork between two sheets of clean paper

• Slip everything into a plastic sleeve or bag to protect it from rain or damp during postage

• Avoid rolling unless the artwork is very large

• Label the package with your name and order number

Sending

• Use a tracked service if possible

• Keep your tracking number until your artwork is confirmed as received

Typical postage costs

If you’re posting originals, here are typical NZ Post costs so you know what to expect at the counter:  Auckland: $9-12, North Island (excl. Auckland): $15–$23, South Island & Great Barrier Island: $26–$42, Rural Delivery surcharge: + $7.

Returning originals

• Originals can be returned on request

• For Digital Collages (digital‑only orders), return shipping is charged if you’d like your originals returned

Collecting your originals or finished keepsake

If you’re local, you’re welcome to collect your original artwork or your finished keepsake in person. Choose the Collection option at checkout. After you place your order, I’ll be in touch to arrange a collection time.

5. If you’re uploading photos

For Artbooks, you’re welcome to upload photos for 3D artwork or anything too fragile or difficult to post. For flat pieces, originals are preferred. Photo uploads remain optional for Collages.

You can use your phone or a camera, whatever is easiest. Most parents use their phone, and that’s perfectly fine.

Lighting

• Use natural light near a window

• Avoid direct sunlight

• Turn off overhead lights to reduce glare

Positioning

• Lay the artwork flat

• Photograph from directly above

• Keep the camera parallel to the artwork

• Fill the frame without cropping edges

Quality

• Use the highest resolution your phone allows

• Wipe the camera lens

• Take multiple photos and choose the clearest one

• Send images at their full resolution (usually 2–5 MB per photo)

Avoid

• Shadows across the page

• Curled or folded edges

• Filters or colour adjustments

• Flash

 
If you want a specific order or captions for your Artbook
(Collage captions are entered on the form after checkout)

• Number each file name in the order you’d like the artworks to appear (e.g., 1.jpg, 2.jpg, 3.jpg)

• If helpful, you can take a second photo of the artwork with a small note showing the caption (rather than placing the note over the artwork in the main photo)

• You can also include the caption in the file name if you prefer

• Caption limits: Artbook 30 & 50 - up to 5, Artbook 80 - up to 10 and Artbook 120 - up to 20

 
Uploading your files

You’ll choose how to send your artwork in the Customisation Form — email, WeTransfer, or request a private upload link. Make sure your files are clear, well‑lit, and show the full artwork.

If emailing your files: Send them to orders@mysmartartbook.co.nz. Most email services limit attachments to around 20MB, so you may need to send your images in a few smaller emails. Please include your order number in the subject line.

If using WeTransfer: Email your WeTransfer link to orders@mysmartartbook.co.nz and include your order number in the message.

If you request a private upload link: I’ll email you a personalised link after you submit your form. You can upload all your artwork files there securely.

6. How I digitise your artwork

Every piece is digitised with care:

• edges tidied

• tears and folds softened

• backgrounds removed

• colours balanced

• smudges lifted where needed

Name labels and handwriting

If a teacher has written your child’s name on the artwork, I usually remove it during editing. If your child has written their own name, I may keep it in place unless you prefer otherwise.

For additional guidance, visit our FAQ page.

If you have any questions, you’re welcome to email me.

hello@mysmartartbook.co.nz