FAQ

Ordering

How do I order a photo wall?

Go to the photo wall builder, upload the photos from your phone or computer, and the builder arranges them into a wall for you. Pick a layout and a block size, shuffle until you like it, then add it to your cart. There is no account to create and no form to fill in.

How much does a photo wall cost?

You pay per block: $9 for a 2 inch block, $20 for 4 inch, $30 for 6 inch and $40 for 8 inch. Volume discounts apply automatically in the cart: 10% off at $120, 20% off at $240 and 30% off at $480. A typical 12 block wall of 4 inch blocks comes to $192 after the discount. U.S. shipping is free over $49.

What sizes do the blocks come in, and can I mix them?

Four sizes: 2, 4, 6 and 8 inches square. You can use one size for the whole wall, or use the mosaic layout in the builder to mix sizes in a single wall. The price updates live as you build.

How many blocks do I need?

There is no minimum, so you can start small and add more later. A typical family wall is around 12 blocks. If you are not sure, upload everything you are considering and the builder will show you what each arrangement looks like before you buy.

Can I add more blocks later?

Yes. Blocks are printed and finished the same way every time, so blocks you order months later match the ones already on your wall.

Can you design the wall for me?

Yes, and it is free. Email your photos to support@shinerphoto.com and Leo will send back a wall proposal with a price. It usually takes a day and there is no obligation.

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes. Shiner Photo gift cards are available on our site and are delivered by email, so they work well as a last minute gift.

Do you offer bulk, wholesale or corporate pricing?

Yes. Volume discounts up to 30% apply automatically in the cart. For large or corporate orders, email support@shinerphoto.com and we will put together a quote.

Your photos

What kind of photos work best?

Photos taken on a phone are fine. Upload the largest version you have, JPEG preferred, and avoid screenshots or images saved from social media where possible, since those are compressed. Faces that fill a reasonable part of the frame print best.

What file type and size should I upload?

JPEG is best, PNG and HEIC also work. Anything from about 1MB up prints well. Very small files under about 50KB may look soft when printed.

What happens if one of my photos will not print well?

We will tell you. Leo personally reviews every photo before it is printed. If something will not look right, we email you and either help you pick a better version or walk you through the options. Nothing goes to print as a surprise.

How are my photos cropped?

Every block is square, so a rectangular photo gets cropped to a square. You can adjust the crop and zoom on any block in the builder before you order, and we check every crop by hand afterwards. Keep in mind the very edge of a photo is trimmed slightly when the print is mounted, so avoid putting anything critical right at the border.

Who owns the photos I upload?

You do. We use your photos only to make and ship your order. Please only upload photos you have the right to use.

Hanging your wall

How do the blocks hang on the wall?

Each block has a magnet on the back and a printed hanging guide comes in the box. The magnets snap every block into a straight grid, so there is no measuring and no tools. You can rearrange the wall or add blocks whenever you like.

Will they damage my wall?

A printed hanging guide comes in the box and walks you through mounting. Because the blocks hold magnetically, you can rearrange the wall without re-mounting every block. If you rent, or your walls are delicate, email support@shinerphoto.com before you order and we will talk you through the options.

Shipping and delivery

How long does it take to get my order?

Every block is made to order in our workshop in Palatine, Illinois. Production takes 3 to 5 business days, up to 7 during the holidays, then U.S. shipping takes 2 to 5 business days. Expedited shipping is available at checkout.

How much is shipping?

U.S. shipping is free on orders over $49. Under that, the rate is calculated at checkout based on your address and order size. Expedited shipping is available at checkout for 1 to 2 business day delivery.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. International delivery usually takes 7 to 21 business days depending on the destination and customs. Customs duties and import taxes are the customer's responsibility, and we cannot mark packages as gifts or reduce the declared value.

Can I get my order by a specific date?

Often, yes. Email support@shinerphoto.com before you order with the date you need and we will tell you honestly whether we can make it. We have delivered memorials in time for funerals and walls in time for Christmas.

How do I track my order?

You get a tracking number by email as soon as your order ships. Most U.S. orders go out by USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground. If a tracking number shows no movement for a day or two after you receive it, that is normal, the label is created when we pack the order.

Can I send an order straight to someone else?

Yes, and a lot of people do. Just enter their address as the shipping address at checkout. We can include a handwritten note too, add it in the order notes.

Changes, problems and returns

Can I change or cancel my order?

Contact us within 12 hours of ordering at support@shinerphoto.com and we will do our best. Because every block is custom made, we may not be able to make changes once production has started.

My order arrived and something is not right.

We will reprint it free within 30 days of delivery, whether the mistake was ours or yours. You do not need to send the original back. Email support@shinerphoto.com with a photo of what you received and we will get the corrected version into production.

My package was damaged in transit.

Email us within 7 days of delivery with photos of the damage and the packaging, and we will replace or refund the order. Please keep the packaging until it is sorted, in case the carrier needs to inspect it.

My discount code is not working.

Discount codes cannot be combined with each other, and volume discounts already applied in your cart may block an additional code. If it still will not work, email support@shinerphoto.com with the code and we will sort it out.

About Shiner Photo

Where are Shiner Photo blocks made?

In our own workshop in Palatine, Illinois, in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. We have made photo blocks there since 2012, over 50,000 customers and 9,300+ five-star reviews later. Nothing is drop shipped or outsourced.

What are the blocks actually made of?

Baltic birch. Your photo is printed and mounted on the face of the block by hand, and a magnet is set into the back.

Do you make pet and dog memorials?

Yes. We make personalized dog and pet memorials by hand, including photo blocks from $24, planters with a live plant, and ornaments. They work for any pet, not just dogs.

How do I contact you?

Email support@shinerphoto.com. A real person answers, usually the same day.