Frequently Asked Questions

What do you sell?
Rinus’ Art offers Middle‑earth maps, Beleriand maps, Tolkien-inspired art reproductions, books, and related printed work. The main focus is on detailed map prints and art prints made for readers, collectors, and anyone who wants to spend more time with Tolkien’s world.

Are the prices in USD?
Yes. Prices are shown and charged in USD unless stated otherwise. Your bank, card issuer, or payment provider may apply its own exchange rate or currency-conversion fee if your account uses another currency.

Where can I find the available prints?
Available maps, art prints, fine‑art reproductions, books, and editions can be found in the Store. Product pages include the relevant size, edition, paper, and product details.

Do you offer framing?
No. Prints are sold unframed. This keeps shipping safer and avoids adding a frame that may not suit the room, the print, or the way you want to display it. I recommend having larger prints framed properly by a good local framer.

Do you offer custom sizes?
Not as a standard option. The available sizes are chosen for the artwork, paper, and printing process. Custom sizes may sound simple, but changing the size of a map or artwork can affect detail, borders, scale, composition, and the way the finished print works physically.

What is the difference between Limited and Regular Editions?
Limited Editions are the intended final versions of the prints. They are printed on heavier 100% cotton fine‑art paper, signed and numbered, and supplied with a proof of authenticity. The edition size is fixed and will not be extended once it has sold out.

Regular Editions are still high‑quality prints, but they use a lighter cellulose-based paper and are not archival in the same way as the cotton fine‑art papers. They are made to offer a more accessible version of selected maps while still being printed, checked, and packed by me.

Are all prints available as both Limited and Regular Editions?
No. The Regular Editions are only offered for selected maps. Most prints and art reproductions are available only in the edition shown on the product page.

Are Limited Editions signed and numbered?
Yes. Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered. They are also supplied with a proof of authenticity.

Can I choose a specific edition number?
Usually not. You are welcome to ask, but I cannot guarantee a specific number. Edition numbers may not always be available in sequence, and I prefer to keep the process practical rather than promise numbers I may not be able to provide.

Will a sold-out Limited Edition return?
No. Once a Limited Edition has sold out, that edition will not be extended.

Do you print the work yourself?
Yes. I make the artwork and produce the prints myself in Sweden. This keeps the production process close to me and allows me to judge the physical print directly before it leaves the studio.

Why does it matter that you print the work yourself?
Printmaking is not just pressing a button. The file, printer, ink, paper, profile, software, and viewing conditions all affect the result. I prefer to keep that process in my own hands because the physical print is part of the work, not a separate afterthought.

What papers do you use?
The paper depends on the edition and the image. Limited Edition maps are printed on Canson Rag Photographique 310. Limited Edition art reproductions are printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Pearl 320. Regular Editions are printed on Hahnemühle Studio Enhanced 210.

Why not use one paper for everything?
Because different images have different needs. A detailed map needs clean linework, readable detail, and low reflection. A painting reproduction may need more density, colour, and visual depth. Paper choice affects the final print too much to treat it as a neutral surface.

What printer and inks do you use?
I print with an Epson SureColor SC-P9500 using Epson UltraChrome Pro12 pigment inks. The printer, inks, paper, profiles, and final judgement on paper all matter to the result; none of them can be treated as separate from the finished print.

Do you use AI?
No. I do not use AI or machine learning for any of my artwork. Some of the work is traditional, some is digital, and some moves between the two, but the images themselves are made by hand through my own decisions, corrections, and visual judgement.

More about the materials and print process can be found on the About the Prints page.

Where do you ship from?
Orders ship from Sweden. I print, check, pack, and dispatch the orders myself.

Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, I ship worldwide where current carrier service allows it. Most orders are sent with PostNord, though final delivery may be handled by a local postal service or courier partner depending on the destination.

How long does processing take?
Orders are normally processed and shipped within 7–14 business days. This gives me time to make, inspect, pack, and prepare the order properly. During busy periods, holidays, or when several large prints need to be made, processing may take slightly longer.

Are delivery times guaranteed?
No. Delivery estimates are practical guidance, not guarantees. International shipping can be affected by customs handling, carrier delays, local delivery conditions, seasonal pressure, and events outside my control.

Will I receive tracking?
Tracking availability depends on the destination and the service used. Some parcels can be followed through most of the journey, while others may show fewer updates after leaving Sweden or after being handed over to a local delivery partner.

Can there be customs charges?
Yes. Orders shipped outside the European Union may be subject to customs duties, import VAT, taxes, tariffs, or carrier handling fees. These charges are set by the destination country and are the customer’s responsibility.

What about orders to the United States?
Orders delivered to the United States are shipped on a Delivered at Place (DAP) basis. This means duties, taxes, tariffs, or carrier disbursement fees may be collected by the carrier on delivery, and are not included in the checkout total. In personal experience so far, shipping prints to the United States has not resulted in customers being charged additional fees on delivery. This is not a guarantee, since customs rules and carrier handling can change, but it reflects what I have actually seen with previous US orders.

More detailed delivery information can be found in the Shipping Policy.

Do you accept change-of-mind returns?
No. Prints are delicate physical objects. As my prints are made to the highest quality I can achieve, handled with great care, and produced as physical products rather than disposable posters, I cannot reasonably resell a print that has already been shipped, unpacked, handled, repacked, and returned.

I cannot guarantee that such a print would still meet the same standard as when it first left the studio. For that reason, I do not accept change-of-mind returns for prints.

What if my order arrives damaged?
If your order arrives damaged during transit, contact me as soon as possible. Please include your order number and clear photos of the damaged item, the outside of the parcel, the inside packaging, and any visible dents, tears, bends, crushing, or moisture damage.

Should I keep the packaging?
Yes. Please keep the item and all packaging until the issue has been reviewed. The packaging is often needed to understand what happened during shipping and to support a claim with the carrier.

Will damaged items be replaced or refunded?
If the damage or defect is confirmed, I will work with you to decide the proper next step. Depending on the situation, this may be a replacement, a repair or practical solution, or a full or partial refund.

More detailed information can be found in the Refund Policy.

How should I handle a print?
Fine-art papers should be handled with care. Avoid touching the printed surface directly. If the print needs to be moved, support it from underneath and avoid letting corners or edges bend under their own weight.

Should I use gloves?
Yes. I recommend handling prints with cotton gloves, or nitrile gloves if more tactility is needed. Bare hands can leave oils or marks on the paper surface.

Why are larger prints more difficult to handle?
Larger prints are more cumbersome than small art prints. Their size makes edges, corners, and the leading edge more vulnerable during unrolling, moving, and framing. Large prints are best handled by two people.

Why is the print rolled?
All prints are shipped rolled. This is normal for larger fine‑art prints and is the safest practical way to ship them. The paper may remember the curve of the roll, but this is not a defect.

How should I flatten or de-curl the print?
Let the print acclimatise to the room before doing anything. Do not force it flat by bending it sharply in the opposite direction. If de-curling is needed, it should be done slowly and with even support, using clean protective paper so the printed surface is not scuffed. If you are uncertain, a professional framer is the safest option.

More detailed handling and de-curling advice can be found on the About the Prints page.

How should I display the print?
I recommend framing prints behind glass or acrylic, preferably with UV protection, and keeping them away from direct sunlight. Even high‑quality pigment inks and fine‑art papers will age better when protected from harsh light, unstable humidity, and large temperature changes.

Should the print be mounted?
Mounting and framing give the print stability and rigidity, which is especially important for larger formats. A print on its own remains a sheet of paper; once mounted and framed properly, it becomes more complete as a physical work of art.

Can I use a cheap clip frame?
I would avoid cheap clip frames or any frame that presses directly against the printed surface without proper support. The frame should protect the print, support it, and let the image remain central.

Do matte papers need special lighting?
The matte paper used for the Limited Edition maps is not affected by reflections in the same way as a gloss or pearl paper. It can usually be displayed without particularly careful lighting, although all prints should still be kept away from direct sunlight and harsh conditions.

Is Rinus’ Art officially connected to Tolkien rights holders?
No. Rinus’ Art is an independent artistic endeavour. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to the Tolkien Estate, Middle‑earth Enterprises, Embracer Group, Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, Amazon, or any other rights holder connected to Tolkien’s works.

Why make new maps of Middle‑earth?
I wanted maps of Middle‑earth that did more than show where places are. Tolkien’s writing makes the lands feel vivid and tangible, and I wanted the maps to come closer to that richness.

Who makes the artwork and prints?
I do. Rinus’ Art is a one-person studio. I make the artwork, produce the prints, pack the orders, and handle correspondence myself.

Can I use the artwork online or in another project?
No, not without written permission. Buying a print, book, or other product does not transfer copyright. The artwork may not be copied, scanned, redistributed, sold, licensed, uploaded, used commercially, or used to train machine-learning systems.

What if my question is not answered here?
You are welcome to contact me. I handle messages myself, so replies come directly from me.

I usually reply within one or two business days. If your question is about an order, please include the order number so I can find the relevant details more easily.

You can use the form on the Contact page.