FAQs

Premium Porcelain-on-Steel Portraits

Our premium porcelain-on-steel portraits are approximately 3/32" thick and made from a specific grade of enameling steel, double-coated with porcelain for extreme durability before printing. We're the only company producing these specialty steel bases in North America. We create the image using permanent, inorganic color materials in fire it at temperatures up to 1,240°F. In the final step, we apply a unique sprayed glass coating and fire it again, adding extra protection and the signature Paradise shine.

100% Porcelain Portraits

Crafted from fine Italian porcelain, these portraits feature a dense ceramic base topped with a glass-like porcelain surface. The image is create through a unique two-step process using permanent materials and fired at temperatures up to 1, 640°F, resulting in a lasting porcelain memorial portrait made the Paradise way.

No. We've had that question periodically and in most cases they've started to look faded due to hard water buildup from the cemetery watering systems. Other times, they're just dirty. Think about it this way, if an oven of kiln at between 1,200 to 1,640 Fahrenheit over a period of time won't burn off the image, then the sun and its UV light won't impact the portrait or image at all. Our portraits do not fade.

The hard water spots are Calcium from the irrigation system. We recommend using a product called CLR. It’s made by Jelmar and can be found in most hardware stores. A few notes of caution: 1) please wear protective gear including eye protection and gloves, 2) use very little on a rag or sponge and keep it away from the sealant and the granite. We’ve even heard that after cleaning a portrait, some customers wax the portrait with car wax to slow the progression of hard water spots returning.

All sizes shown on our website and price list are the actual sizes in inches. All ovals are perfect ellipses - entering the X and Y dimensions in your design program will produce a true oval.

Before cutting your stencil, be sure to add a margin or v-line to allow for "wiggle room" during dry fitting and after blasting. For our Premium (steel) line, expand the outline by at least 0.06 in. For our Porcelain line, allow 0.08 in or more to account for manufacturing tolerances of up to 1 mm.

For hearts, you can download true-to-size DXF files here: Premium or Porcelain. Be sure to apply the same expansion based on the portrait line used.

For custom shapes (available only in our Premium line), you'll receive an email with a link to download your custom DXF file once it's generated This file matches our steel cut and should be expanded by at least 0.06 in for blasting clearance.

Most of our customer install our portraits in a shallow sandblasted relief using pure silicone, specific epoxies or a mortar mix. For surface mounting, our premium portraits can be made with stainless steel pins or paired with any of our high-quality open or covered frames. We can also proved 3M™ VHB™ adhesive tape - available at no additional charge for all portraits except premium domed styles when requested at the time of order.

More than 95% of our orders are shipped within 10 working days from the time we receive them or proof approval, whichever is later.

Yes - and we actually prefer it! Our online system is simple, powerful, and designed to save you time. Most orders take less than two minutes to place.

You can log in anytime to check order status, reprint forms, approve proofs, or view shipping updates. Reordering is quick, and you can even make changes online before production begins.

The system also keeps your team in the loop. When a team member's name is assigned to an order, they'll automatically receive all related updates.

It's everything you need in one place, built to make your job easier.

Your login is always your customer ID, and your password is case sensitive.

If you've forgotten your password, click the Password Help link on the login page, enter your customer ID, and select "Reset Password." The primary user on your account will receive an email with reset instructions.

If you need assistance, we're happy to help, just give us a call.

No. Please complete one order / order form for each portrait you need.

Yes. Please see all of our options on our How To Order page.

The largest photo we can scan is 12” x 17”. But hey, if you have a larger one, we’re up for the challenge. Send it in and we’ll figure it out.

Yes. We will return your original photos with your order.

Our order forms and online system include four cropping options: Bust, Half Subject, Full Subject, and Full Photo. If you'd like a more specific crop, simply make a photocopy of the photo and draw your desired cropping on it. You can then include the marked up copy with your order either as a hard copy or a digital scan.

No. If you need a proof for a particular order, please check the "Please Proof My Order" within our online order system, or write the word "proof" in the "Special Instructions" box on our order form. We do proofs at no cost.

No. Revision are also completed at no cost.

Log into ParadiseOrders.com or click the link in the email you received. Locate the proof and click the download link below the image. You can then save the file and send it directly to your customer.

There's no need to approve or reject the proof yet, just review it first. Please do not share your Paradise Orders login credentials with your customer.

No - let’s keep that order moving!

In the proofing section of the ParadiseOrders.com, click "Reject." In the notes, let us know that you'd like a new image proofed, then upload the new file using the button provided.

We'll handle the rest and prepare a new proof for you, it's that easy!

The easiest way is to place your order and request a proof. We can often achieve great results even from less-than-perfect photos.

Once you receive your proof, share it with your customer and let them decide. If they'd like to try a different image, you can reject the proof and upload a new photo - at no additional charge.

Yes. We’ll do it at no charge.

You bet! We're experts in this area and all photos are cleaned up at no extra cost.

Yes. We will replace the background with a photo canvas like those used in portrait studios. See our background choices page or send us a color sample of what you would like for the background. Background removals are done at no-charge.

See our backgrounds on our Backgrounds Page and if you ‘d like something custom, send or upload to us a color example and mention if you’d like a gradient or a mottled version of that color as your background.

No. We haven't charged extra for background removal for a long time.

Please scan the photo at 300DPI and 100% of its actual size, then save it as a high-quality JPEG (maximum quality setting). Even if you plan to crop the image, scan the entire photo - we may need details from the outer edges to correct or enhance the final image.

For more tips, please watch our Photo Scan Tutorial video.

No. Our products are only available through qualified dealers.

We actually have two. It’s full and comprehensive including vandalism on our products and we help you replace our competitor’s products also. Please have a look at our Guarantee page.

We don't charge for Rush Orders, but we do ask that you use our rush service only when absolutely necessary.

More than 95% of our orders are shipped within 10 working days from the time we receive them or proof approval, whichever is later.

Yes. We electronically archive all images so that if a replacement is necessary, we can re-make it quickly.

Yes. We accept Visa and MasterCard, as well as ACH payments through our secure portal.

If you'd like all orders automatically charged to your card upon shipment, simply complete our Credit Card Form and fax it to us at (530) 895-9600 - that's all it takes.

To access our payment portal, where you can view open invoices and pay conveniently by card or ACH, please contact us to get started.

With check fraud on the rise, we encourage customers to use credit a credit card or make ACH payments whenever possible, but we’re happy to accept checks as always.

Not when requested with an order. Forgot? We're human too, call us and we'll take care of you.

It is the same as your customer number. The best place to find it is in the upper right-hand corner of our invoice. But, you could always call us and we will be happy to provide it to you.

We ship all products within the United States and its territories via USPS Priority Mail, FedEx, or UPS - at no additional charge. For all other countries we serve, actual shipping costs will apply.

Yes! We're happy to ship via FedEx® to your physical address. Shipping will simply be billed at cost.

Yes, we collect sales tax in states where we have established nexus.

If you notice sales tax on your invoice or are establishing a new account and wish to provide a resale certificate, please contact us at resale@paradisepictures.com. Include your customer ID and contact information, and we will review your account and provide the necessary forms to ensure sales tax is not collected in your state.

If we will be directly delivering products to states other than your primary operating state, please indicate each applicable state so we may supply all required forms.