HOW TO GET A GREAT PHOTO
Every insert starts with a photo. The better the photo, the more accurate the trace. You do not need professional photography equipment or a perfect setup. You just need to know what to look for.
PLACE QUARTERS SNUGLY IN CORNERS
Quarters define the corners of your trace area and help us scale the insert accurately. If they are loose or not in the corners, your trace may end up warped or sized incorrectly.
SHOOT FROM FOUR FEET, CENTERED OVER DRAWER
Shooting too close or at an angle causes the trace to be off. Your feet should be visible at the edges of the frame with some floor showing around the drawer. If your drawer is on a table, a step ladder helps.
USE A CONTRASTING BACKGROUND
Tool edges need to be clearly visible against whatever is behind them. If your tools are blending into the background, slide a piece of paper or a light-colored cloth underneath them. Good lighting helps too.
HIDDEN EDGES CAN’T BE TRACED
If an edge is hidden by another tool or feature, we will miss it. Tapered sockets are a common example. If the taper faces up, we may only see the smaller top diameter rather than the larger base you actually want traced. Make sure the end of the tool you want to go into the foam faces up.
WATCH OUT FOR SHADOWS
Shadows can hide or mess with edges and make accurate tracing difficult. Shoot in a well-lit area and check that no tool is casting a shadow over another before you take the photo.
YOUR LAYOUT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT
Show us how you want your tools organized and we handle the rest. Just make sure there is at least a quarter inch between each tool and the drawer edges. We take care of the aligning and spacing, and you can always request changes when we send your proof.
USE CLAY OR WAX FOR TOOLS THAT WON’T STAY PUT
Some tools have a hard time staying upright. A little modeling clay, duct seal putty or residue-free rug tape will hold them in place. Just make sure every edge you want traced is still visible once they are secured.
TALL TOOLS MAY NEED A SECOND LOOK
Tall tools can be tricky to capture accurately because of perspective. When we send your proof, we may ask you to double check a measurement or two to make sure everything is right before we cut.
READY TO PLACE YOUR ORDER?
All it takes is a photo of your tools and a few measurements. We handle the cutting, the fitting and delivery of your insert.