Ordering Handmade Silhouettes
Silhouettes By Hand's portraits, even Mail Order, are made in the traditional manner: by hand, with only scissors, without drawing, tracing, or any machine.
Silhouettes By Hand offers a range of rare, hand-made and hand-designed products based around its signature offering: handmade silhouette portraits.
To make an order, click on the product-photos at the top of the page - you will be able to order Silhouettes, extra copies of the Silhouettes, and Frame or Mat. All elements are completely described. It's very easy to add items to your cart, pay securely, and send your photo - often all from your smartphone or tablet device.
Read about each product
Put your products in the “shopping cart”
You will be able to chose your background colors - and even Gift Certificates. This information comes during the checkout process.
Secure online payments using Credit Card, Paypal, and ApplePay. I do not receive your payment details.
The costing of shipping, handling will be calculated when you have completed your selection.
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for important details on ordering, sending photos, shipping, and terms
HOLIDAY ORDERING 2026
Order your silhouettes using the ordering below.
Read all the info. Most likely, your question was answered in the written material
Send clear photographs to the email listed - take exact profile photos (from the person’s shoulder; bend down to take the photo if it’s a child!).
DEADLINE FOR ORDERING: DEC 7
The holidays are approaching quickly, and everyone wants to get their orders back quickly. Here is your CHEAT SHEET for fastest orders:
FRAMES
For those of you who like my oval 5×7 wooden frames: as if this writing (Nov 10), yes, they are sold out. I am terribly sorry, for those who like my frames. They have been backordered since August. The backorder has been pushed forward from Sept, to Oct, to Nov, now to December. I am very sorry.
If you need a frame for your silhouette but my frames are sold out, please go purchase a frame from any other source. I only carry one type of frame from a specific traditional framer, who builds the frames from his specific sources. (I choose not to carry a range of frames, because I am not a frame store. I trust you, the customer, to find a frame source online or in a real store. You have the whole world at your feet!)
DEADLINE FOR ORDERING: DECEMBER 7
I completely understand that everyone is busy, and it’s hard to order! However your silhouettes are handmade, custom only for you, and these orders are coming from across the country.
I support the good people working for the United States Postal Service. However the USPS has been running rather slowly; ordering early allows me to finish your order in time for the holiday.
However, delivery is out of my hands. There is no guarantee that your order will be delivered by Dec 24
For your best, fastest delivery, check your DELIVERY ADDRESS. Make sure it’s the street address that you, or someone you want, will receive the package. You are responsible for all your information that you input into the order.
Orders without frames (when the frames come in) are fastest.
READ YOUR EMAILS: I communicate with orders by email. I send you “sneak peek” pictures of your silhouettes by email. If I have a question I email you. Please read the emails on the address you order from.
Personal Service: Important Info
All orders are received, reviewed, created, mounted, prepared for shipping, and shipped by the artist herself. Please ensure that your order is detailed (when necessary) and accurate —- so you experience the best service even during busy times.
In late 2026, rising prices finally forced a slight increase in costs is out of your artist’s control: supplies, postage, and business costs have increased: Silhouettes By Hand prices had not increased in many years, so this is the first increase; and only by a small bit. The good news is: Silhouettes By Hand silhouettes’ quality have increased exponentially in the last 18 years; you are still getting a bargain for handmade work, especially getting two (2) or more copies to keep or give away! You can see current photos on Instagram, here: Silhouettes By Hand Instagram
About Handmade Silhouettes Made from Photos
(A note from your artist)
I designed Silhouettes By Hand to be a live experience of a historic, heritage, traditional service: having a portrait made before photography was invented. I initially started cutting silhouettes as a way for people to experience something from the past - it was an experiential, participatory activity for museums.
People love having their silhouettes made. Equally exciting to having their portrait made in a historical manner, they are absolutely amazed when they see me cut silhouettes live - they absolutely don’t believe that I cut freehand, without drawing first. They don’t realize that I truly start with a blank sheet of paper, and don’t draw anything first.
Your silhouettes will look a little like “folk” representations of your loved one - charming, simple, but detailed. They can never be 100% photographic, but they will be remarkable and delightful, since they are handcrafted.
Send several photos exactly as described in “What to Send” (below), and also read the “Terms”, which contains the Policies and Notes.
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Filters
Just a few of the many happy customers
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"I wanted to let you know the gifts sent to the Grandparents was a hit! They loved them! Thank you not only for sharing your amazing talent with the world but for your amazing customer service and attention to details."
Mail Order Customer
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"Lauren, it looks perfect! We love it and are very grateful that you were willing to work with us. Thank you!"
Mail order customer
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"I appreciate your research. And stellar silhouette! Fun collaborating with you. "
Design customer for specialty silhouettes
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OH MY GODDDD I lovvveee it!! It brought tears to my eyes! You did an absolutely amazing job! You are so talented and completed it so fast! I always wanted one of me as a baby/toddler but never got one, I am so glad I did this for my child. I am glad I reached out to you!
Mail order customer
Silhouettes Ordering Details
What to send: Profile Photos
During the ordering process, you will be asked to email a profile (side-facing) photo, as seen here. Please READ BELOW and look at this image of a profile photo to show you what your photo should look like.
Please encourage your loved one to pose calmly, without making faces or smiling. I know it’s hard with young children or even pets! There are so many reason to wriggle. Try to get them to look forward while watching something in front of them, perhaps a toy or a movie. The better your photos, the better your silhouettes:
Exact Profile: exact side view.
Good contrast between subject and background
In-focus
Straight face, closed mouth (no smiles, or talking, or tongues, or grimaces)
If making a Half-Length silhouette: include the whole head in the profile photo, down to the belly button.
If making a Full-Length silhouette: include the whole body, facing entirely sideways: from above the head and include the feet.
Hair suggestion: female hair looks best in silhouettes when styled up, half-up, in bun, braid, ponytail, curly or layered style.
Send several profile photos of the person, taken a second or two apart (if possible). Taking a few photos allows the sitter to be relaxed, and also allows you to readjust your shot to get a true profile (sideways). You should not see the eyelashes of the other side of the face. Make sure you vary your position to take a photo to get the side view.
Please send your photos within 12 hours of making your order. Sending your photos early makes sure that your photos are able to be connected with your order.
How Silhouettes are cut for Your Order
Watch this video! See to see how easy it is for you to make your order - and this how your silhouette is cut from your photos:
TERMS of Purchase: highlights
Turnaround
The Turnaround (the time between receiving an order and shipping it out to you) varies depending on the season and the artist's schedule to receive, cut, and send out your order. The average turnaround is 7-10 days, depending on the order. Your order is custom-made by hand. If there is additional wait, you will be contacted. DUE TO SCHEDULE: NO RUSH ORDERS.
Shipping - USA
The shipping is most frequently United States Post Office (USPS), Priority Mail, insured. Every effort is taken to pack your package well for the fewest accidents. If you prefer a different shipper (UPS or FedEx), please email Silhouettes By Hand in advance of your order - we will send via the shipper of your choice, at the going rates for that shipping service, possibly at an additional higher fee.
Shipping, carbon-neutral
I support the United States Postal Service. Each US-based item is sent Priority Mail, which speeds up the shipping and also adds insurance and tracking. Your shipment also supports carbon-neutral energy production through the ship-processing.
If shipping to a different address
The order form allows shipping to a Shipping address other than the Customer (orderer's) address. This allows for you to send to yourself in a new location, or send a gift. (Your order will not be gift-wrapped as a present, however)
Recent Fee Changes: Information and Solutions
Global supply chain, shipping, and labor shortages for suppliers and manufacturers have raised prices on all items across the world. Your artists only works with respected and quality-minded suppliers; however all businesses are encountering higher prices and delayed shipping.
Your artist does not want to raise prices; however you can shortcut some fees by ordering digital silhouettes or custom logos without the need for postal delivery. Use your digital silhouettes or logos for any digital need, or print out to make copies for loved ones, scrapbooking, or other digital desires.
Sending copies to a third address
If you are planning to send your second (or third) copies to another address outside of the Shipping address, this will create another fee for shipping. The fee depends on what you are sending; you will receive an email with any new shipping fees. Your order will be cut after all fees are paid.
Shipping - Canadian, European, Australian or other International orders
If you are based outside of the United States and are interested in making a silhouette order, you’ll receive information about how your order will arrive. Note: during the pandemic, slow international delivery may be expected. Orders to countries outside of the USA have special details about ordering.
IMPORTANT: Terms, Returns, Shipping, and Notes
For questions about terms, notes, returns, or other information about purchasing or after purchasing, visit the Terms page here.
See silhouettes freehand-cut live:
Here is the freehand-scissored silhouette experience in person - December 2017, at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum.
The video was sped up to be viewed with social media time limits (59 seconds) - however it’s easy to see that silhouettes are cut without drawing in advance or using any photographic or shadow device..