Paintings
Q: Are these original paintings?
Yes — every painting in the collection is an original, one-of-a-kind work created by Michelle Fraser. There are no reproductions or print runs of the paintings themselves, unless specified in the individual painting page.
Q: What medium are the paintings?
The paintings are created using a range of fine art media. Each product listing includes details specific to that work, including medium, dimensions, and if framed.
Q: Are the paintings framed?
Unless stated otherwise in the product listing, paintings are sold unframed. This allows you to choose framing that suits your space and style.
Q: Can I commission a painting?
Commission enquiries are welcome. Please get in touch via the Contact page to discuss your ideas, timeline, and pricing.
Q: How are paintings packaged and shipped?
Each painting is carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Packaging varies depending on the size and medium of the work. Get in touch if you have specific concerns about a piece before purchasing.
Q: What are the Shipping Prices?
This is dependent on where you live in the world. Note that shipping unframed will be more cost effective, as I tend to use beautiful 150 year old upcycled hard woods in my framing. If you are happy to pay for these frames, they are a labour of love, beautifully crafted and incredibly unique.
TopTownz Prints — Choosing Your Print
Q: What sizes are available?
Each print is available in standard A-series sizes — A4, A3, A2, A1, and A0. The right size depends on where you plan to display it: A4/A3 for desks, shelves, or gallery walls; A2 and above for a statement wall piece.
Q: Will my print fit a standard frame?
Yes — all prints are sized to standard A-series dimensions, so you can find frames at any homewares or art supply store without custom cutting or special orders. If you'd prefer custom framing for something extra special, that works beautifully too.
Q: Does the size affect the level of detail?
Absolutely. These are historic maps with fine cartographic detail — street names, district boundaries, topographic lines. The larger the print, the more you'll see. If you love the detail, go bigger.
Q: Can I buy a size that's sold out later?
No — each size within a limited edition has its own print run. Once a size sells out, that edition is closed and won't be reprinted. If you're deciding between sizes, it's worth knowing that hesitation has a cost.
Print Quality
Q: What is giclée printing?
Giclée (pronounced zhee-clay) is a fine art printing process that uses archival-quality inks sprayed in microscopic droplets to produce exceptional colour accuracy, tonal depth, and sharpness. It's the gold standard for art reproduction and is used by galleries and museums worldwide. Your print won't fade, bleed, or lose detail over time the way standard prints do.
Q: What paper is used?
All toptownz prints are produced on premium cotton rag paper — an acid-free, museum-grade stock made from cotton fibre rather than wood pulp. This gives the print a beautiful texture and weight, and means it will last for generations without yellowing or deteriorating. It's the same material used to archive fine art and important documents.
Q: What do the size proportions look like?
The proportional diagram shown on each product page (using an A2 example) is exactly how you will receive your print at every size. The diagram is true to scale so you can visualise what you're ordering before it arrives. Importantly, the proportions of each individual map have not been altered — we preserve the original cartographic geometry to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the source map.
Q: Why do the colours look aged or muted?
All toptownz prints stay true to the original historic maps — including their colour palette. These are not modern, colour-saturated reproductions. The tones you see reflect the inks, printing techniques, and paper of the era the maps were created in. That authenticity is intentional — it's part of what makes each print a genuine piece of history, not just a decorative copy. The giclée process faithfully preserves every nuance of the original, including its aged warmth and character. That said, some of the typography juxtaposes the nature of the maps, which is entirely intentional to bring them into the present.
Shipping
Q: How is my print shipped?
All prints are carefully packaged to arrive in perfect condition. Smaller sizes (A4–A3) are shipped flat in rigid board-backed envelopes. Larger sizes (A2–A0) are rolled and shipped in a sturdy protective tube. We take presentation seriously — your print should arrive ready to frame, not ready to flatten out for a week.
Q: How long does shipping take?
We ship to both New Zealand and internationally. Within NZ, please allow 7–14 working days. For international orders, allow 14–21 working days. If you have any concerns about your delivery, feel free to get in touch.
Care
Q: How do I care for my print?
- Handle by the edges — avoid touching the printed surface with bare hands, as natural oils can affect the paper over time.
- Keep away from direct sunlight, humidity, and heat sources to preserve the archival inks and cotton rag paper.
- If framing, use UV-protective glass for the best long-term results.
- Store unframed prints flat or rolled in their original tube in a cool, dry place.
Returns
Q: What is your returns policy?
We want you to love your print. If your order arrives damaged or there's an issue with the print quality, please get in touch within 5 days of receiving it with a photo and we'll make it right. Because each print is produced to order as part of a limited edition, we're unable to accept returns for change of mind. Please choose your size carefully — if you're unsure, we're happy to help before you order.