Frequently
Asked Questions on:
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Photos
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Text or Type
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Colors
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General Product and Ordering Info
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Shipping
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Icons
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Pre-Paid Voucher Orders
For questions not found please
email us.
What type
& size of photos should I send in?
We recommend the same photos you get at
the drugstore or Walmart. 3"x5", 4"x6", 5"x7" or up to 8"x10". If you
haven't printed your film please ask for glossy stock paper. No negatives,
slides or instant camera prints please. We also except digital files taken
with a 3 megapixel or larger camera
on taken the highest setting.
(If you have a 2 mega-pixel or smaller it will not work regardless
of what you think or how great it looks on your monitor. Please send in 35mm
prints whenever possible. If you send in digital prints please accompany
them with the files you printed them from. Whatever you send just make sure
you fill the frame of the photo up with your vehicle or subject. Also don't
cut-off any part of your vehicle because we can not print what's not there.
I can't
decide which photos to send in.
You can send in several photos and let
our designers choose which ones work best. You can also write on the back of
the photos your 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice etc. and we will use them
as guides in selecting the photos.
My photo
is a little blurry or grainy. Is that OK?
Not
really. We are going to reduce most photos so if it looks a little blurry or
grainy now, it might reduce down a little bit sharper. If you have any
questions with your photos you should usually retake them.
Can you
sharpen my photo?
To some extent we can sharpen but don't
depend on us. Like we always say, a slightly blurry picture sharpened looks
like a slightly blurry picture but sharper.
I have a
good photo my car but the color is off slightly.
If you send a photo that looks closer to
your vehicles color or a paint swatch, we might be able to correct the color
problem. Just make a note on the photo or swatch that this is the color of
your car and you want us to try to correct the color.
I can't
get a good shot of my car.
See Photo Tip Section
I love
this photo but it has a (car, person) in the background that is distracting.
We try to eliminate any small distracting
elements by airbrushing them out of your photos. If there is something that
bugs you, write it down and send it to us. Most of the time we can fix it.
If there's a lot of alterations that you'd like, you might want to take that
photo over. We're good but not that good. If the background is terrible, we
can create a white background with just a shadow under your car ( The first
layout we do this to is layout 2 so if your planning on layout 1 you must
upgrade to layout 2.) Please indicate if you would like the background
removed on our order form by checking the "remove all my backgrounds"
button.
Can you
create a totally different background for my photo?
No. In other words, if you'd like an
ocean setting behind your car, you'll have to go to the ocean and shoot your
photo there.
Can I
E-mail my photo?
Please don't. The file sizes (if shot
correctly) will be to large to transfer them through email. We do not have
high speed internet capabilities so the time it takes to down load these
files would not be worth it. Please send everything in one envelope through
the mail.
Can I send
in files from my digital camera?
Maybe, if your using a
3 Mega-pixel Camera or larger at the
highest setting (if not please send 35 mm glossy prints from a
conventional camera). Because of calibration problems accurate color is real
hard to achieve through digital. Even though your camera probably has a
high enough resolution, the problem comes down to us being able to properly
color match digital files using pigmented inks. Calibration between your
monitor and ours is always different since we use a UV pigment based ink
that requires a different calibration than most digital cameras have.
Colors that appear and print correctly on your system sometimes don't on
ours. So, if you have an accurate color chip or another photo for color
please send it in with a note on the photo that this is the color you want
us to try to match.
How
accurate will my color photo reproduce?
Well, usually really good. We do use a UV
Ink and the colors are usually not as brilliant as your initial photos.
Certain colors such as some blues, purples and hot pink colors we have a
hard time with but we take extra time in tweaking the color in-house until
it's as close as we can make it.
My car was
featured in a magazine shoot. Can I send in the magazine so you can use
their shots.
We can use magazine shots for the smaller
pictures on your board. We do need a photo for the larger shot because the
quality of the magazine photo is not as good as a photograph and will not
look good blown up.
Can I have
a different type font?
No. Each Flash Board uses a specific for
that specific layout.
I have a
lot or too little type. What should I do?
To much type or too little may be bad. If
you have too much type, you'll bore the average reader or scare them away
from reading it. Put yourself in the reader's shoes. On the other hand too
little looks like your clueless about your vehicle. You're buying a board so
you can share in the questions that most people ask you. If you really think
hard enough you should be able to come up with at least six headings.
(Example: Paint, Engine, Transmission, Rear End, Options, Interior Trim,
Stereo System, Purchase Price, How many they built that year..... just stuff
like that. It's pretty easy.)
I fit the
text on the order form but I'm not sure it will be readable?
We came up with that number of lines
because we can make that number of lines and characters work. If it makes
you happy, abbreviate your words or cut your lines back. we will enlarge or
reduce the point size of the text depending on the space we have.
I'm not
sure about my spelling... you'll look it up right?
We do make it a point to correct
misspelled words. If we're not sure... we use the text that you write so you
should check your spelling before you send it in.
What
happens if I get my board and there's a typo?
We will look up your order. If it's our
mistake, we print it over for no charge. If you spelled something wrong, we
have a $40 charge for the correction plus the cost of a new stand and
shipping. So it pays to have someone double check your spelling.
Questions on
Colors
(Also see Photos Tips in this website
section)
What is an
accent color?
All boards come with black or white type
plus one other color of your choice. The accent color is a color that
appears on the different layouts that is not your photograph. Most people
choose a color that matches their car's paint, interior or trim color.
I have a
black (or white) car. What accent color do I select?
Any color you want or you can let our
designers select one that we feel matches the interior or background to make
a pleasing Flash Board. When in doubt, use red or blue.
None of
your accent colors match my car; however, I don't have a paint chip or color
swatch to send in for color matching.
You can always go down to the hardware
store and get a paint swatch for matching or even a piece of material that
matches.
I have a
metallic car. Will my accent color be metallic?
No. We use a flat color that will match
your metallic color but is not metallic.
How
accurate will my color photo reproduce?
Well, usually really good. We do use a UV
Ink and the colors are usually not as brilliant as your initial photos.
Certain colors such as some blues, purples and hot pink colors we have a
hard time with but we take extra time in tweaking the color in-house until
it's as close as we can make it.
Will my
Flash Board fade?
Our inks are guaranteed by the ink
manufacturer not fade for up to one year continually outside.
How
waterproof is the Flash Board?
It will resist light moisture to the
front where you could wipe it with a soft cloth. Where to be concerned is
the edges where moisture can seep in. Treat your Flash Boards as you do
your car. If it looks like a downpour, bring in your board.
How do
they stand up in the wind?
If you buy our stand, this will help a
little. The boards are about 4 pounds and with the stand seem to stand up to
most breezy days. If your at a show and it gets breezy keep your eye on your
board. We do recommend not using them on windy or breezy days. The last
thing you need is to scratch your neighbors car or worst of all your own.
Will my
Flash Board warp?
Yes. It's plastic. In the hot sun every
board will bend and bow a little no matter who makes it for you. We found
that once they cool down they straighten up a little. Do not leave your
boards in the interior of your car uncovered. Most cars in the sun will get
you to 160 - 180 degrees which is enough to warp the heck out of this
plastic. We had only one board owner warp his board and he wanted us to pass
along the warning.
Will my
Flash Board scratch?
Yes. They are made out of a laminant that
is resistant to scratching to some point. If you treat the boards with the
same care you treat your car's finish, you'll be fine. Use a duster or
cotton cloth to wipe them down. Do not use a paper towel, that will scratch
the finish for sure. You can use glass cleaner on the finish. Don't use
waxes.
Can you
fax or email a copy before you print it?
Yes, we can but we discourage it. So we
charge you $25 for this service. You see when we fax or email you a copy not
only does it slow our production but it creates a problem about changes.
Usually when you give someone a chance to move or change something, they
will. At the point we fax it, all our work is over so any changes to your
board sometimes requires us to start all over. All we can say is if there's
a typo that's our fault, we do it over for free. If your concerned about the
look of your board, then provide a sketch of what your looking for and we
will do our best to design it that way. We always tell people we've done
over 7500 boards and this is their first... we might be able to come up with
something just a little bit better. So trust us, it should come out great
looking.
What
happens if I don't like it?
We can't make everyone happy and we
understand that. All we can say is that out of the over 7500 orders that
we've done, we have about 1 out of 1000 who calls us up with a complaint. We
spend about 4 to5 hours on each board and create each board as if it were
ours. We never send a board out that we wouldn't want to receive. That's why
we take the time to call you up if your photos are less than good or we have
some questions concerning your orders. We tell everyone that "our name is on
our product as well as yours" and we only get business from happy customers.
If you don't believe us, ask a Flash Board owner about our service and
product.
How long
will it take to process my order?
Usually 5 to10 working days once we get
it. We pride ourselves with this timely response. Shipping to and from takes
about 1-5 days each way so figure on receiving our Flash Board order in
about 3-4 weeks.
Can I have
you rush and order?
We can get your order out in 3-5 days and
overnight it back to you (only in the continental US) for and extra $35.
If my club
members like my Flash Board, is there a club discount you can offer them?
We'll send you ten $20 off coupons and
brochures for your friends. If you need more please call. Each order that
you help refer that we track back to you we send you a $10 rebate check.
We have a
car show coming up Do you send "goodie bag" stuffers?
Yes we will send as many as you need
providing we have enough brochures in-house. Give us a call or email us when
your show is, how many you might need and when your stuffing the bags and
we'll see what we can do.
How long
will it take to process my order?
Usually 5 to10 working days once we get
it. We pride ourselves with this timely response. Shipping to and from takes
about 1-5 days each way (depending how far away from New Hampshire you live)
so figure on receiving your Flash Board order in about 3-4 weeks.
Can I have
you rush and order?
We can get your order out in 3-5 days and
overnight it back to you (only in the continental US) for and extra $35.
Can I use
a PO box for shipping?
No. We use UPS for shipping and they do
not deliver to PO boxes; however, if you absolutely need to send it to a PO
box, we will ship it through the US Postal Service but shipping will take
longer.
Do you
ship to another country?
Yes. We ship by US Postal Service and
shipping will take a little longer and may cost a little more.
Questions on
Icons
(See the Icons page in this website for the icon selections)
What is an
icon and why do I need it?
No one needs an icon on their Flash
Board. But since people are picture literate this helps convey the 1 or 2
key things about your vehicle. It also balances the awkward space on your
board. If you chose not to have an icon, leave the "none" in the icon
selection part of your order form.
Where do
the icons go on my Flash Board?
It varies. Every layout is different. For
photo Flash Boards the icon usually will be in the photo area. For non-photo
Flash Boards, refer to Flash Board layouts.
Can I have
more than one icon?
In most cases the answer is no because of
space limitations. However, if you really desire two, please indicate on a
separate piece of paper your second icon and we will try to fit it in for
you.
I want an
emblem off my car for an icon but I don't see it in your selection.
Because of trademark restrictions we can
not offer trademarked logos as icons. We can use emblems or stickers on your
car if you send in a photo of it; however, because of scans, touch ups and
adjustments that we have to make, it will be counted as one photo.
Are the
icons on this web site all you have?
What's in this web site are our current
icons
Do the
icons come in color?
Sometimes. The icons that look chrome or
metallic are black & white. Some of the other icons are printed in your
accent color depending on how it looks on your Flash Board.
Can I use
or create my own icon.
Yes.
There will be a $15 minimum charge for icons created using fonts on our
system. If you like the look of one of our icons and want yours to look
similar, please make a note on a separate piece of paper. Otherwise, if we
have to create new piece of artwork such as chromed letters, club logos or
customized font techniques, there will be a $25 artwork charge.
Can I send
in my own computerized icon that I've created?
Yes. There is a $15. charge. We accept
JPG's, TIFF's, & GIF's at 300 DPI at 3"x3". We need a colored hard copy as
well in case we need to re-build it ourselves.
Questions on
Pre-Paid
Vouchers
I bought a
pre-paid vouchers at a show... does it expire?
Starting in November of 2003 we started
putting an expiration date two years after your date of purchase. The whole
idea of the pre-paid voucher was to discount our products at certain shows
to generate local interest in our products. At the bottom of your pre-paid
voucher is the expiration date. However, the voucher can be transferred to
someone as long as it hasn't expired by the time we receive it.
I've
decided to upgrade to more photos or a different layout. What do I do?
You can send in a check for the
difference or fill out the credit card section. Please indicate that the
payment is for an upgrade.
I bought a
pre-paid voucher in the past and want the same price on my next Show Board?
Sorry
about that. We do offer all of our past customers a $30 off coupon. If you
need one, give us a call at 1-888-783-5274
I bought a
voucher and sold my car... now I have no use for it.
First off, we're sorry about your loss.
You bought the voucher because you must have loved your vehicle. Don't worry
though. The voucher can be sent back for a full refund. Just enclose it in
an envelope with a note and we will take care of it ASAP.
I saw you
at a car show and wanted to buy a Show Board will you honor your show price?
Sorry, the specials we have at the shows
are just that, "Show Specials".
Copyright © 2000 Flash Cards, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 28, 2009
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