Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you order. Can't find your answer? Get in touch — we're a small team and we're happy to help.
About Our PrintsWhat sizes do Ink & Drop prints come in?
Our prints are available in A4 (21×30cm), A3 (30×42cm), A2 (42×60cm) and A1 (59×84cm). We also stock 50×70cm — a popular European poster format — and 70×100cm for statement pieces. Some collections include square formats. All available sizes are listed on each individual product page, and our frames are sized to match.
What paper and print quality do you use?
All prints are produced on heavyweight, gallery-quality paper using professional archival pigment inks. Our stock runs from 230–280gsm satin or matte finish depending on the collection — significantly heavier than standard photographic paper. The result is vivid colour, accurate tonal range, and a finish that holds up over time without fading.
Where are your prints made?
All prints are produced and dispatched from our base in Tyne & Wear, North East England. We're an independent UK business — not a drop-ship operation. Every order is packed by hand by our team, which is why packaging quality comes up so consistently in customer reviews.
Are your designs original?
The majority of our prints are either original designs created by the Ink & Drop team, or carefully curated public domain artwork — including Japanese woodblock prints by Hasui Kawase and Hiroshige — reproduced faithfully on high-quality stock. We do not sell generic AI-generated prints.
Do your prints come framed?
Prints are sold unframed as standard. We also stock a range of wooden frames in black, white, natural wood and gold ornate finishes — all sized to match our most popular print formats. You can add a frame to your order on the product page, or shop frames separately.
What is the free frames offer?
Our free frames promotion gives you a free frame with qualifying print orders. The specific terms — which prints and frame sizes qualify — are shown on the free frames offer page. We run it regularly because customers tell us it makes framing at checkout far simpler than sourcing frames separately.
How do the print and frame bundles work?
Our bundles let you order multiple prints and matching frames together at a reduced price — saving up to 50% versus buying separately. Bundles come in 2, 4 and 9-print options. Many are pre-curated by theme (Kawase, Newcastle, birds) but you can mix within a bundle at checkout. They're our most popular option for customers decorating a room or buying gifts.
Can I get a personalised or custom print?
Yes. Our personalised quote prints let you supply the text and we set it in one of our signature typographic styles. Popular for weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. Personalised prints are produced to order and are non-refundable unless faulty.
Do you do custom pet portraits?
Yes. Our custom pet portrait collection lets you submit a photo of your pet and receive a hand-illustrated print in a range of artistic styles. Turnaround time and pricing are listed on the collection page. As with all personalised orders, pet portraits are non-refundable unless faulty.
Do you offer gift wrapping or gift messaging?
We don't currently offer gift wrapping as standard, but our packaging — a sealed cardboard postal tube — presents well as a gift. If you'd like a specific message included with your order, contact us at the time of ordering and we'll do our best to help.
How long does UK delivery take?
We aim to deliver UK orders within 5–7 working days via Royal Mail. During peak periods (Christmas, sale events) this may extend slightly. You'll receive a dispatch confirmation when your order leaves us.
Is delivery free?
UK delivery is free on orders over £60. Below that, a flat rate of £4.50 applies. For Europe, delivery is £8 (free over €70). For the rest of the world, delivery is $12 (free over $75).
How are prints packaged — will they arrive safely?
Every print is rolled in kraft paper and placed inside a heavy-duty 2mm thick cardboard postal tube with sealed ends. We've been packing prints for delivery for over 10 years and damage in transit is rare. In the unlikely event your print arrives damaged, contact us and we'll resolve it immediately.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship to over 50 countries including Australia, USA, Canada, Germany, France, Japan and most of Europe. A full list of destinations is on our delivery page. International orders may take longer depending on destination and customs processing.
What is your returns policy?
We offer a 30-day returns window. If you change your mind, return the print in its original packaging and we'll refund the product cost (delivery charges are not refunded). Items must be in their original condition. Please use a tracked postal method for returns, as we can't be responsible for items lost in transit. Personalised and custom prints are non-refundable unless faulty.
What if my print arrives damaged?
Contact us as soon as possible with a photo of the damage and we'll send a replacement or issue a full refund — no need to return the damaged item. Damage in transit is uncommon, but when it happens we resolve it quickly.
Who are Ink & Drop?
Ink & Drop is an independent art print shop based in Tyne & Wear, North East England. We've been selling wall art online for over 10 years and have dispatched prints to customers in more than 50 countries. We're a small team who care about the quality of both the artwork and the experience — from print selection through to the tube landing on your doormat. Our prints have been featured in Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan and Ideal Home.
Do you sell Newcastle and North East prints?
Yes — our Newcastle and North East collection is one of our most popular ranges. It includes typographic prints, local landmark illustrations, city maps and cultural references spanning Geordie culture from football to fish suppers. We also stock prints for Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough and surrounding areas.
Do you sell prints for other UK cities and regions?
We're actively expanding our regional print range. Yorkshire, Manchester, London and many more are in the works — coming soon. Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know when new regional prints are added.
What is Shin-Hanga art?
Shin-Hanga (新版画) is a Japanese art movement that emerged in the early 20th century as a deliberate revival of the classical ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition. Where ukiyo-e had declined by the Meiji era, Shin-Hanga sought to modernise it — incorporating Western influences on light, shadow and atmosphere while retaining traditional subject matter: landscapes, bijin (beautiful women), kabuki actors, and birds and flowers.
The movement was largely championed by publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō, who contracted artists including Hasui Kawase, Hiroshi Yoshida and Itō Shinsui. Prints were produced using the collaborative studio system, with separate craftspeople cutting the woodblocks and pulling the prints. Shin-Hanga fell out of favour after the Second World War but has seen significant revival of interest among Western collectors since the 1990s.
Who was Hasui Kawase?
Hasui Kawase (川瀬巴水, 1883–1957) is widely regarded as the last great master of the Shin-Hanga movement. Born in Tokyo, he trained under nihonga painter Kiyokata Kaburagi before turning to woodblock printmaking under publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō. Over a career spanning five decades, Kawase produced more than 600 prints — almost all landscapes: rural villages, mountain paths, coastal harbours and city scenes rendered in snow, rain, mist and moonlight.
His work is characterised by precise observation of natural light and an emotional quietness rarely matched in the medium. In 1956, the Japanese government designated him a Living National Treasure. Browse our Kawase collection.