When there are so many existing choices for wall art suitable for babies and children, why choose numsi?
numsi exists to fill a gap in the market for modular, distinctive, unique and affordable modern wall art for babies and children. If you are looking for an artwork which features crisp design and beautiful display options, numsi is the right choice for you. Everything we make is designed, created, assembled and packaged right here in our studio in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, with exceptional care and attention to detail. We care about what we do, and we want you to be exceptionally happy with the choices you make. All of our work is created with a mindfulness towards responsible use of resources with a view to sustainability, and we are also proud members of 1% for the Planet.
How is each piece of art made?
Here at numsi we call what we do mixed-media artwork, or rather “Wall Art”, by which we simply mean that it is art which can be hung on the wall. Each piece of art starts with a photograph, taken by myself somewhere around the Twin Cities region, which I then draw on digitally. Each image is printed onto the highest quality canvas with archival quality pigment inks, which have been tested to last for over 75 years. The canvas is mounted to a museum quality art panel with a 2" deep birch plywood cradle or support. Your new wall art arrives well-packaged, gift-wrapped if required, and ready to hang on your wall. Due to the deep cradle, the works can also be displayed on a shelf or other horizontal surface.
Do you use real canvas or a canvas-like printer paper?
The canvas that we print on is an actual textured, woven ground which has been surface-treated to accept ink from a digital source. Because of this, there may be some slight bumps in the picture surface, which is completely normal and characteristic of the material. We precisely mount the canvas on art panels rather than gallery-wrapping the canvas for a crisper edge and a cleaner aesthetic. The panels have the added bonus of turning the work of art into both a 2 dimensional painting and a 3-dimensional object which can either be placed on a table or hung on the wall.
What exactly is a “museum quality art panel”?
The art panels we use are hardboards coated with a smooth absorbent clay ground comparable to the clay gesso grounds used during the Renaissance. Archival, lightfast, and acid free, the panel is cradled by 2" birch plywood strips that are attached flush with the back edge of each panel. The panel is sourced from an environmentally responsible company where it is produced with no chemicals (VOC) that emit harmful gases, like formaldehyde, or any others that can contribute to global warming, such as methane. The panels are made here in the USA.
I have a lovely frame to fill, do you also offer just prints?
We also offer a print-only option for those instances where you wish to frame the artwork with your own choice of frame. The images are printed on archival watercolor fine art stock using archival pigment inks. There are a choice of two sizes, so that you can find the one that best fits the frame you have in mind. Only 75 editions of each image will ever be produced in each size; each print is signed and numbered. The artwork is packaged in a clear, acid-free protective sleeve with a 100% recycled acid-free backing board. Prints are mailed to in bend-proof fiberboard mailers, ready for you to frame as you see fit.
How do the custom images work?
All too often personalized items are too cutesy or too preppy or they are just wrong for your design sensibility. Here at numsi, we make name or word art which focuses exclusively on a strong simple typeface depicted in an appealing modern color scheme. To order a custom image, choose your preferred size and choose your color scheme. In the text box provided on the checkout page, please write down the text exactly as you would like it to appear on your image. Bear in mind that the longer the name, the smaller the text will be. As each image is created to order, no two will be alike. Before printing, a proof will be emailed to you for your approval. Upon receipt of the approval, we here at numsi will go ahead and create your personalized art work. The delicious result will be mailed to you within 5 business days of receiving your approval. If you would like to hold an order form in your hand, you can download a PDF of our order form here, and print it out on your own printer.
We also create custom message grids; something quietly minimal and less than obvious to proclaim either a message or a name? Our custom alphabet grids feature 26 rows and 26 columns of letters in alphabetical order. You supply a custom message (up to 26 characters in length, including spaces) and we will highlight the appropriate letters in the grid. You will have an entirely original work with an understated message creating it’s own pattern within the canvas. Due to the process involved in making a message grid, we are currently operating on a two week turnaround time.
Do you make anything else?
We have introduced a line of greetings cards printed with our archival quality pigment ink onto 100% cotton rag fine art paper made here in the USA. Essentially, the cards are mini art prints which can be framed or sent, or both. They come with matching cream envelopes, and are sold individually or in sets of five. Many of the numsi designs have been produced as super lovely 1 1/4" buttons and magnets, and also as fabulous pocket mirrors. There are two different calendars for 2010- a wall calendar and a desktop version. We are working on some new products for 2010, including a mobile and a range of cushions…
I love the art so much, can I wear it?
Why yes, you can do just that, or rather your little ones can. Here at numsi we are delighted to debut a line of comfortable stylish clothes for infants and toddlers, up to age 6. In the future there may even be some things for bigger people. All our clothing utilizes American Apparel clothing, made in a sweatshop-free environment in the USA, and adorned here in the numsi studio in the Twin Cities. For size charts and all things technical, please click here.
Do you offer a design service for other things?
Here at numsi we believe all things are possible. Drop us an email with your request and we will get back to you straight away.
