Quality Assurance at the Stackhouse

Short Summary

This article explains how The Stackhouse manages quality from file setup through production, finishing, packing, and shipping.

Quick Answer

The Stackhouse combines file-readiness checks, color-managed production, product-specific finishing review, and final packing verification so print orders leave our studio clean, accurate, and protected for the product type.

Where Quality Starts

Quality starts before the first print is made. The file, print size, crop, border, paper or product type, and finishing choices all shape the finished result.

Before checkout, review the preview, confirm the selected size and crop, and make sure the uploaded file is the version you want printed. If you are unsure about file resolution, color profile, or material choice, contact support before ordering.

How Quality Assurance Works

1. Customer setup

You choose the file, size, crop, border, material, quantity, and shipping details. These choices become the production instructions for the order.

2. Pre-print review

We review key file and order details such as resolution, print size, color profile, media selection, crop, border, and orientation. If something looks risky or unclear, our team may pause the order and contact you.

3. Production review

During printing, we look for visible production issues such as banding, streaking, surface marks, uneven ink, unexpected color shifts, or image placement problems.

4. Finishing review

After printing, the product is reviewed for the finishing path selected. Loose prints, canvas, gallery wraps, mounted prints, packaged prints, and retail-ready orders each have different details to check.

5. Packing review

Before shipment, we confirm the order details and use packaging suited to the product type. Large prints, mounted work, canvas, packaged prints, and fulfillment orders may require different protection.

Product-Specific Quality Notes

• Giclee and fine art prints: We focus on detail, tone, paper choice, borders, trimming, and surface handling.
• Photo prints: We review sharpness, color, finish, crop, and clean handling.
• Canvas and gallery wraps: We check image placement, wrap edges, finishing, and structure.
• Mounted and display prints: We review alignment, surface quality, edges, and presentation.
• Packaged and retail-ready prints: We check the print, sleeve or package presentation, quantity, and fulfillment readiness.
• Art scanning and reproduction: We help turn physical artwork into usable reproduction files and guide print choices based on the source artwork.

Shared Responsibility

Our QA process is designed to catch production and finishing issues before shipment. It does not automatically correct choices made at checkout or issues already present in the uploaded file.

• The Stackhouse reviews print production, finishing, packing, and order accuracy.
• Customers should confirm the correct file, size, crop, border, material, quantity, and shipping address before checkout.
• Some screen-to-print variation is normal because monitors, brightness settings, paper surfaces, and viewing light all affect perceived color.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you contact me if my file has a problem?

If we catch a file or setup issue that could prevent a successful print, we may pause production and reach out. Still, the safest path is to review file setup before ordering.

Do you automatically edit or retouch files?

No. Orders are generally produced from the file and options submitted at checkout. Contact support before ordering if you need help with file repair, editing, or a special production request.

How is this different from the 12-Point Inspection Framework?

This article explains the overall quality lifecycle. The 12-Point Inspection Framework lists the specific production checks used before shipment.

How is this different from The Stackhouse Promise?

The Promise explains what happens if an eligible defect, shipping damage, or lost-in-transit issue occurs after an order leaves our studio.

Related Articles

• The Stackhouse 12-Point Inspection Framework
• What to Look for in a High-Quality Print
• How to Upload Your Files
• Understanding ICC Profiles and Print Color Expectations
• The Stackhouse Promise

Need More Help?

If you are planning an order and want help choosing a file setup, product type, material, or finishing path, submit a Help Center request with the image type, target size, product type, deadline, and any concerns you want us to review.

If the order already arrived with a print quality issue, possible production error, or Stackhouse-applied order detail issue, submit a reprint request within 14 days of delivery so we can review the order details and photos. Shipping damage should be reported within 7 days of delivery with packaging photos.