Frequently asked questions

I just placed an order! When will it ship?
Thanks so much! I print, package and process orders within 5-10 business days.

Where are you based?
I live, dream and create in a little cottage nestled in the almost-countryside just outside of Melbourne, Australia. Every week, I take your orders on a walk to my local Australia Post Office; owned and run by a small family business just like mine!

Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, with one exception: if you are shopping from the UK or EU, I will need to create a custom listing for you on my Etsy shop: www.melmacklin.etsy.com.

We handle orders for VAT-participating countries there, as Etsy collects VAT and all relevant information for taxation purposes on our behalf. This streamlines the experience for you and ensures you won’t be charged VAT twice.

Unfortunately we are unable to process orders that attract VAT on www.melmacklin.com.

How will my order be packaged?
Here at MMHQ, our first priority is to ensure your new artwork arrives in perfect condition. We’re also making an effort to keep our packaging footprint as small and environmentally conscious as possible.

Enamel pins ship in A6 bubble mailers. Small prints and cards ship in flat rigid mailers. Prints are sealed inside a clear cello envelope, then very carefully rolled inside a rigid mailing tube.

Most of our packaging materials can either be directly recycled or thoughtfully repurposed.

How do you calculate shipping costs?
I ship with Australia Post, so most of my shipping costs are dictated by their pricing structure.

I charge AUD$10 flat rate for all domestic orders within Australia. I charge AUD$27 flat rate for all orders sent outside of Australia. Excepting small prints and card orders, parcel prices include a tracking number.

Parcels can be tracked via the Australia Post website. You will receive a relevant link and tracking advice with your shipping notification once your goodies are on their way to you..

A small percentage of your shipping costs may go towards the physical materials used to ship your order and keep your goodies safe.

Please kindly note, I will not falsely declare lesser values to avoid any import taxes. These are your responsibility to pay.

Do you combine shipping?
Shopify doesn’t yet allow this, I’m sorry! I have set the smallest average flat rate shipping for Australia and international destinations.


In most cases, I will combine the items within your order into one parcel. In some cases, pins and prints may ship separately, at no extra cost to you. Should this be the case, you will receive clear advice, including relevant tracking numbers with your shipping notification.

What if my package is damaged?
If there is something wrong, please send me an email as soon as you receive your package.

Include clear photographs showing the damaged item and the packaging. This documentation helps me see clearly where I need to reinforce your packages in future, to ensure this doesn't happen again!

Each case is different. I appreciate your understanding and clear communication as we work together to achieve a positive outcome for us both.

Help! My package hasn't arrived?!
The pandemic has had an impact on postal services. In 2021, shipping times appear to be mostly returned to pre-pandemic normal, but particular destinations may still experience delays.

Australian orders typically arrive within 1 week, but may take up to 2.

International orders typically arrive within 2-3 weeks, but may take up to 6 weeks.

You are welcome to contact us for a heads-up before this time. We will not send replacements however until the full recommended time has elapsed (99% of the time I'd simply be chasing one parcel with another!). While you are waiting, please check with your neighbours and local post office.

Oops! I made a mistake with my order!
If you made a typo in your address, please get in contact ASAP.

All sales are final. Due to the delicate nature of artwork, I cannot offer exchanges. I cannot take responsibility for incorrect choices, wrong addresses or shipping times once I’ve dropped your parcel in at the Post Office.

Who does your printing?
All giclée printing is done in-house, by me. We (myself and my husband and master framer Dave) have 10 years professional printing experience. We are incredibly proud to offer you gallery-quality artwork at an affordable price.

Art cards are printed by Print Squad and Dark Horse; two excellent local printers who care about quality and detail as much as we do!

What does giclée printing mean?
Giclée is a term interchangeable with 'fine art' or 'archival' when referring to prints. Giclée is a French work meaning ‘to spray’. This broadly refers to the process used to create long-lasting art prints using an inkjet printer.

Here at MMHQ, we use Epson Ultrachrome K3 inks on archival Canson Infinity Platine Fibre-Rag 310 gsm paper. For paintings that call for a softer matte finish, we use archival Hahnemühle Bright White Photo Rag and William Turner 310 gsm paper.

All inks and papers are museum-quality, fade-resistant and have been tested to last for at least 120 years.

Can you sign my print for me?
All limited edition prints are signed by me, Mel Macklin. I do not sign art cards or poetry prints.

What does limited edition mean?
I typically make print editions of 200. This means there will only ever be 200 of that design in the universe. Every one of those 200 will be identical except for the edition number and in some cases, paper size. Every single limited edition print is signed and numbered for authenticity.

If, for example, your number is 10/200, this means your print was the tenth out of 200 total. This makes the number on your print unique in the world; nobody else will have number 10.

You can find your edition number on the bottom left of a rectangular print; my signature on the bottom right. For oval prints, these details are hidden in the bottom portion of the printed oval area for easy framing.

What size frame should I buy for my print?
I mostly print on Australian A-standard sizes: A4, A3 and A2.

You will need a frame the same size or bigger than the paper size noted within each listing. We include a white border on all prints for more options when it comes to framing. This white border is designed to sit underneath a mat and provides an opportunity to keep the print stuck down, straight and in place within the frame.

Some ready-made frames come with mats. Alternatively, you can get a framer to custom cut you a mat that perfectly suits the aspect ratio of your print. Framers are also able to cut oval-shaped mats for oval prints.

What are your enamel pins made of?
Zinc alloy with black nickel plating.

What is the grading quality of your enamel pins?
I consider them to be A grade. I promise I only sell pins I'd be 110% delighted with to purchase and wear myself. I triple-check every pin for any imperfections. Some of these irregularities are barely perceptible, even under my highly critical eye. If you take pin collecting *very* seriously, please scrutinise my photos carefully. If you have any issues with the quality of the pins pictured, my pins may not be for you, sorry!


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