Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Content

What is It's Faux Easy?

The It's Faux Easy web site is a unique approach to keeping decorative painting pros informed of new techniques and trends in order to be successful. For decades, Gary Lord has been one of the nation's foremost instructors of the art, demonstrating techniques on television shows, publishing books and producing videos. Now he shares his knowledge through an extensive library of videos, to which he regularly adds, to help you learn new techniques. While certainly no replacement for live, hands on training, the videos available here will give you the basics and help you grow your portfolio and your business.

How does It's Faux Easy work?

Browse the site and watch preview videos of different techniques. When you find videos you want to purchase, add them to your shopping cart. To help get you started, you can choose to buy Sample Kits which have all the materials you will need to create a sample board, and also the full size products and tools for each technique. When you check out, you will receive a link right away to download the videos you purchased. You will get a full-sized video appropriate for viewing on your computer or burning onto a DVD, as well as a smaller sized video for viewing on your iPhone, iPod Video, or other video-compatible smart phone. The videos you purchase also include a printed PDF with each technique step. Any materials, tools, and Sample Kits you purchase will be shipped to you.

What do I need to view the previews on the site?

Because quality of the videos is important to us they are in the .mp4 format, which requires the Quicktime plugin to play in your browser. It is automatically installed by many browsers; however, Internet Explorer does not include it. To install in IE, first download Quicktime from Apple (either the Quicktime player or Windows Media Player will play the downloaded videos). Once downloaded, you'll see the installer on your desktop. Run it and restart your browser. You then should be able to see the video previews on the site.

How often are new techniques added to the new video section?

The current plan is to release one brand new technique each month. Once these are one month old they will be put in the new video archive for one year and then they will move over into the general video section of our Web site. This will allow us to always put up material we think is fresh and current with what the market is looking for within the next year. By checking back each month you can keep your portfolio up to date with the newest trends in decorative painting.

What is in the featured video section?

All new videos that are more than a month old on this site will be moved over to the featured video section. Also Gary has filmed many techniques on VHS and DVD in the past which have been up on his web site and sold nationally but not internationally. We have taken those and made them into a single downloadable format for easy viewing and portability.

After Your Purchase

I love the videos but I like things in writing as well. Are there printed directions?

Yes, available with each video is a full written description in PDF format of the technique you just downloaded. This will include a list of all the tools and paint products you will need to complete the specific technique you are viewing.

How do I download one, two or more videos when I want?

Once your order has been successfully processed, you will see a screen with the details of your order and a link for downloading the video and printed instructions. This information also will be emailed to you.

I purchased a video but there was a problem when I downloaded.

This almost always is a problem with transmission. Since these are relatively large files, there's a greater chance something will go wrong during download. The speed and quality of your internet connection usually plays a part. If this happens, you can log on to your account (check for the link in the top right corner of any page). Once logged on, the link changes to read 'My Account'. If you click that, you get a page with a link reading 'View my order history'. On that page you will see a list of all orders you've placed. You can view the details of any, where you'll find the links to any videos you've ordered. You may return to this page at any time and download the videos as many times as you wish.

Is there a time limit for viewing a video?

No, once you purchase the downloads from the New or Featured section they are yours to keep.

How long does it take to download a segment and how long in length are they?

Many of the segments run six to seven minutes, while the new videos produced specifically for this site run 13 to 20 minutes. For most dsl or cable internet connections, a download can take 10-20 minutes. Each download includes the PDF instructions, a movie suitable to play on your computer and another sized for an iPhone, iPod Touch or other handheld device.

All About Materials

What is a sample kit?

A sample kit is available for most videos on the Web site. In each sample kit you will have enough paint material to make the exact treatment you downloaded on an 18" by 24" surface of your choice. The sample kit will include every product you will need to reproduce the finish. Before we created this Web site, in order to make a sample you may have been required to purchase multiple quarts of materials resulting in a cost that could be upwards of $150.00 just to create one sample! With our kits, designed to reduce that cost, we give you enough material to re-create the finish without breaking the bank.

I love the finish but can I buy the sample kit with different colors or slightly different products?

The sample kits are so inexpensive because they are designed in small amounts to fit just the recipe of the technique shown. All kits will be made only to match the recipe of the finish with no deviations. All of the techniques we offer are beautiful just as they are shown, and we do understand it may not be exactly what you are looking for. Therefore we suggest two options. One is you purchase the kit at a very inexpensive price and practice the finish that way. Often times when samples are shown to prospective clients they are not in the correct color anyway and will have to be adjusted for that client. That is when we suggest you purchase products other than those in the kit to show your client a design just for them - which of course you then charge for. Option two is perhaps you have most of the materials you need in your inventory or something you think you can substitute and then only purchase the few materials missing to complete the technique. Of course you could always go back to the old way and pay full price for a lot more material than required to make your sample.

I used the sample kit and I love the results. Can I get more product to do my project?

That is great news and we will be glad to help you place your order. Just call us at 1-513-931-5520 and tell us what time and day you downloaded the project you want to now do. From there we will make sure you get the right products in the correct amounts to complete your project. As our way of saying thank you we also offer a 10% discount on the first order you make that follows any one of our downloads. Also if the order is over $250.00 of in stock product we will ship the product FREE to you. If you do the math you will realize by purchasing the products through us you are getting your video and sample kit free.

How soon will my product order or sample kit be sent?

If we have everything in stock we usually ship in 24 to 48 hours from time of order. All orders are shipped UPS ground unless special ordered. Please phone us for any orders that will require faster shipping. We will calculate the shipping charges based on the weight of the package and the shipping time requested plus an additional surcharge of $6.00 for each expedited order. We will then e-mail you the information for your approval prior to processing the order.

Our ground shipping rates are:

up to 1 lb.	$9.55
1-3 lbs.	$10.65
3-5 lbs.	$11.75
5-7 lbs.	$12.85
7-10 lbs.	$15.05
10-20 lbs.	$17.25
over 20 lbs.	$20.55

These rates are for deliveries within the continental U.S. Deliveries to Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii will incur additional charges. We DO NOT ship internationally.

There are no C.O.D. shipments

Are the tools required to do the technique included with the kit?

No tools will come with the sample kit, only the exact paint and material products required for that specific finish. Because many people already own some or all of the tools, we have left the tools out of the kit. Just like in cooking you can try different tools if you do not own the ones shown in the video, but like in cooking you may get a different result. If you wish to purchase the exact tool as used in the video, they are listed with the video and may be ordered directly from the site.

Will the sample kit include the stencil or Modello used in the video?

No, the sample kit only comes with the paint products required to do the finish. Each sample kit is labeled with what comes in it for you to see before you purchase. Many artists have a large inventory of stencils from which they may choose as a substitute when making the sample. Of course, this will change the look of the technique. If you wish to purchase the stencil or Modello used in the video there is contact information for you to do so in the PDF file that comes with each video purchase.

Will the sample kit include the substrate to be painted on?

No surfaces will be included in the sample kit. Many people will already have drywall, stryene, cardboard, masonite, or something to paint the sample onto. Shipping this type of product is cumbersome and costly so we choose to let you provide your own surface and keep the cost of the kits low. If you wish to purchase cardbock stock or stryene from us we do have it on our store site - www.prismaticpainting.com.