FAQ

How many photos do I need to create a mosaic?

To create a photo mosaic you need one main image and at least 50 individual photos.
The more photos you have, the more detailed your mosaic will be.

Depending on the size you choose, there will be between 400 and 10,000 small mosaic pictures in the background. For the background you can upload up to 1000 individual pictures. Using those we will put together your mosaic.

Which photo should I use as the main image?

Simple pictures are the best for the main image.
Through the many small individual photos in the background there is already a lot of detail and movement in the picture. Simple portraits, landscapes, a building, an object, or a logo are perfect for the main image. Think creatively for great results: an American flag as the main image for a mosaic of your trip in the USA would be perfect!

Which photos should I use for the individual photos?

There are no rules for the individual photo motifs. Just upload as many photos as possible.
You should have at least 50 photos. To save some time, it is enough to give us the pictures in a small size of 500 x 500 pixels. That way you can significantly reduce the transfer time.

Just send us all of the images which you would like to be a part of your mosaic. There are customers that upload photos from their childhood, or pictures of their favorite cartoons or superheroes. City and metro maps have also been used in collages. Just be creative, you will love the result.

Will all of the uploaded pictures be used in the mosaic?

Yes. We try to use all of the photos that you upload.
In the case of damaged photo files or formats which do not fit into the mosaic patters, we have to make an exception. However, you always have the option to check if all of your favorite photos have been used before printing.

Is it possible to recognize the small individual photos?

Yes, you will be able to see every picture.
The individual photos are printed at least 2 cm wide in our mosaics. That way it is possible to see every picture on the mosaic. Very small details are not visible.

Can a logo be printed as a mosaic?

Yes, logos can be printed without a problem.
Logos can be used in the main image or for the small photo tiles. The logo just has to be uploaded as a JPG/JPEG file. Many companies have their logo printed as a photo mosaic.

Which file format should my photos be saved as?

We can only use photos in JPG/JPEG format.
When saving the JPG/JPEG files - especially for the individual photos - a medium quality is plenty.

What resolution do the photos need to have?

The resolution for the main image should be at least 2 MP (megapixels).
The individual photos however do not need to be large files. Even just a size of 500 pixels is plenty.

Can I also upload photos from my phone?

Yes, you can use phone pictures.
Photos starting at a 2 megapixel resolution are already suitable for the main image of a mosaic. For the small photos, a resolution of 500 x 500 pixels or a size of 100 KB (kilobytes) is already enough.

Can I use scanned photos?

Yes, scanned photos can also be used in your mosaic.
The should be in JPEG format and have a high enough resolution.

Can I send in photos on a data storage device?

Yes, you can also send us files on a data storage device.
It is much simpler to upload the photos directly to our website, but if that does not work you can also send us your photos using the following methods:

1. Using the Cloud. You upload your photos to a service like www.dropbox.com or www.wetransfer.com. Send us an e-mail to let us know which photo should be used as the main image, and which size you would like your mosaic to be in. Besides that we also need to know where to send the e-mail letting you know that your mosaic is ready.

2. Using a data storage device. Simply send us a storage device (USB stick or CD-ROM) with the photo files. Send us a message letting us know which photo you would like as the main image and in what size the mosaic should be made. We also need your e-mail address so that we can let you know when the mosaic is done.

Please send the data storage device to the following address:

photo-mosaic.co.uk
XXLPIX GmbH
Kienberger Allee 4
12529 Schönefeld

Please note that storage devices cannot be returned. It will be detroyed once it is not needed anymore.

How do I upload the photos?

You can upload your photos directly through our online interface.
With it you can select the main image and transfer the individual photos in 2 easy steps.

How long does it take to upload the photos?

Uploading your images can take between 2 and 30 minutes.
The length of time is dependent on 3 factors:

• The quantity of photos
• The size of the photos
• Your internet connection

Since the individual photos are only needed in a small size, they can be uploaded very quickly. It is just important that the upload is not interrupted.

How do I upload many photos at once?

Since the individual photos do not need to be big, you can upload them easily and quickly over the online interface.
Since photos with a size of 100 KB are already big enough for the small mosaic tiles, the upload goes much faster than you would expect. If you upload 100 photos that are each 100 KB, you are sending us a total data volume of 10 MB. That is about the same as 3 MP3 songs. With a standard internet connection it should take about a minute.

The upload did not work. What do I do?

The simplest method: delete cookies, restart your browser, and start the upload from the beginning.
If that does not work, there are 3 other possibilities:

1. Try uploading the photos using a different browser. It is possible that your browser is not up to date. Updating it could also help.
2. Send us your files using a cloud service. Transfer the files at www.dropbox.com or www.we-transfer.com.
3. Send us a data storage device in the mail. Put your photos on a CD or USB-stick and send it to photo-mosaic.co.uk, XXLPIX GmbH, Kienberger Allee 4, 12529 Schönefeld

How do I order a photo mosaic?

Ordering a photo mosaic is very easy. There are 3 steps:

1. Choose which pictures should make up your mosaic.
2. We create your individual mosaic for free.
3. You decide if and how you would like your mosaic to be printed and order it.

How are photo mosaics created?

The photo mosaic will be created by one of our employees using software.
The software that we developed organizes your photos into a mosaic based on a complex algorithm. Then our employee will adjust and fine-tune the settings and edit the mosaic so that your photos stand out. When it is done we will send you an e-mail. Creating a mosaic takes about 24 hours after we receive your files and is always free.

How long does it take to create a photo mosaic?

Creating a photo mosaic takes about one work day.
As soon as you have uploaded your photos, one of our employees will enter them into our software. It will then calculate the mosaic order. Then our employee will optimize the result and send you an e-mail when it is done.

How long do I have to decide if I would like to have my mosaic printed?

After you have received your mosaic, you have 5 days to decide if your would like to order it as a printed product.
After five days we delete the mosaic - for data privacy reasons and to make room on our servers.

On which photo products can I have my mosaic printed?

At the moment we offer four different photo products: poster, canvas, acrylic glass, and Alu-Dibond.
You can learn more about each product on the corresponding pages:

• Poster
• Canvas
• Acrylic Glass
• Alu-Dibond

In which sizes can I have my mosaic printed?

We offer 5 different sizes from S to XXL for your mosaic.
Here is a chart of the available sizes:

The picture format is determined by the file that you provide for the main image. If your main image is square, we can only print the mosaic in a square format. Here you can find all prices.

How long does it take to print my photo mosaic?

Printing and shipping takes 4 to 8 work days.
If you are in a rush, we offer a PRIO production option.

Shipping Times after Uploading

What happens to my files after the order is complete?

Your uploaded photo files will be deleted directly after the creation of your mosaic.
Thousands of photos are uploaded to our servers daily. Since we do not need the files after the mosaic has been created, they are continuously deleted. The mosaic is saved at the most for a week.If you have your mosaic printed, we save the ordered mosaic for one year, in order to allow for mulitple orders. After a year that file will also be deleted. To learn more about our use of picture files, take a look at the page on data protection.

How will the finished mosaic be shipped?

We ship our mosaics with the courier service UPS.
Your finished picture will be packaged in bubble wrap and packed in a box to be given to UPS. In that moment you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number.

How long does shipping take?

Shipping times are between 4 and 8 work days.
Depending on the service option you choose, your photo mosaic can be dispatched within 24 hours. More on shipping times.

Can I send my photo mosaic to another address?

Yes, you can send your mosaic to a different address.
Many customers give mosaics as gifts and use this service to send the mosaic directly to the recipient. We can send your mosaic Europe-wide.

How much will my photo mosaic cost me?

Creating a photo mosaic image is always free.
The cost of printing your mosaic depends on the size and material that you choose. Here you can find our current prices.

How can I pay for my mosaic?

We offer a couple different payment options.
Invoice, PayPal, Credit Card, Bank Transfer, and advance payment.

Please transfer the amount to:

XXLPIX GmbH
Bank Account
Deutsche Bank
Account 149281801
BLZ 10070024
IBAN DE90100700240149281801
BIC DEUTDEDBBER

Please include your reference number when transfering payment.

Will I receive a receipt in the package?

There will be no receipt in the package with your mosaic.
You will receive the receipt by mail at the provided receipt address. It will also be sent to your e-mail address. You can send the mosaic as a present without having to worry about the receipt. The recipient will not be able to see the cost.