FAQs

Last Updated: 27 September 2024

We hope our Frequently Asked Questions can help you get a quick answer to your query. We have listed our most popular questions first, then covered a range of questions under the following topics. Product information covers a mixture of products. If you can’t find an answer, please contact us.

Do you have shop I can visit?

Our shop operates mainly via mail order, and so visits to our premises and order collections are by appointment only, please contact us to arrange an appointment.

If you are local and wish to collect your order, please wait for us to contact you to confirm when it’s ready and when to collect. This is so we can ensure your order is ready before you travel to us.

When are you open?

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Please note, visits to our premises are by appointment only.

We are closed at weekends and during UK public holidays.

Can you help me with a bespoke project or marquetry reproductions and restorations?

Yes, we hope so! We have had the pleasure of working with a wide range of customers, on both large and small scale projects.

Please fill out our enquiry form or email info@originalmarquetry.co.uk with the below information. For inlay brass strips or fretwork, see the next few FAQs. We aim to respond within 1 – 3 working days with a quotation.

  • Dimensions: For marquetry panels, note the sizes for both the marquetry and background.
  • Materials: Include the wood veneer type. Additional materials may include brass, mother of pearl, abalone etc.
  • Design/Sketches: Attach any relevant photos, designs, or sketches. Don’t worry if your design is not clear, we can revise it in our design studio.
  • Quantity: For differing panels, the above information is required for each one.
  • Project Overview: If you feel it’s useful, tell us a little about what you’re aiming to do.

I need brass strips in a specific size or longer lengths, can you help?

Can you help me with a fretwork project?

Can you send me a catalogue?

Not yet, we are working to create one!

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Orders & Payment

How do I place an order?

You can order online through our website. Or, if you’d prefer a chat, call us and order by phone.

Place an Online Order
  1. Use our categories to locate the products you wish to buy.
  2. Click add to basket.
  3. For a quick search, click the   (search icon). It’s located in the top right corner, below the  (basket icon).
  4. Click the (basket icon) to view your basket. Click it again to hide it and continue shopping.
  5. Finished shopping? View your basket and check your products and quantities.
  6. Click proceed to checkout.
  7. Enter your billing and shipping addresses.
  8. If needed, add any Order Notes.
  9. Scroll the bottom of the page, review your order, and select a payment method: PayPal or Debit or Credit Card.
  10. Using a Gift Card? See here.
Pay by PayPal
  1. Select PayPal as your payment method.
  2. Click the PayPal or PayPal Pay Later button.
  3. You’ll be redirected to the PayPal website.
  4. If you’re already a PayPal customer, log into your account, and authorise the payment. If you’re new to PayPal, create a PayPal account and then authorise the payment.
  5. After a successful payment, you’ll return to our website where you’ll view your order confirmation.
Pay with a Debit or Credit Card
  1. Select Debit or Credit Card as your payment method.
  2. Enter your card details.
  3. After a successful payment, you’ll view your order confirmation.
Place an Order by Phone
  1. Call us on +44 (0)117 944 2640 and take note of the products name and/or code. For wood veneers, please note the sizes.
  2. We’d hate to make a mistake and so we’ll always reconfirm your order before hanging up. We’ll check it’s all correct and as you want it!
  3. If you provide an email address, a copy of your invoice will be attached in your order confirmation email. A paper copy will also be included in your parcel.

Which payment methods do you accept?

We accept most major debit and credit cards (Maestro, MasterCard, Visa), PayPal and bank transfers.

If opting for PayPal, any debit or credit card registered to your PayPal account will be accepted, including Visa (Delta or Electron), MasterCard (or Eurocard), Maestro, American Express and UnionPay.

Is there a minimum order quantity?

No, however most items to Mainland UK will be sent via our UK Standard (Medium Parcel) service which starts from £8.95.

Some smaller items will be sent via our UK Standard (Small Parcel) service at £6.95.

The product I want is out of stock. When is it due back?

We suggest signing up to our email notifications. Under the product description, enter your email address and click ‘Sign me up!’. We’ll then let you know as soon as the item becomes available again.

Most products are restocked within a 2-week lead time, occasionally this can be longer. Please contact us to check stock levels for large order quantities.

If you’ve ordered an out-of-stock product, we will contact you to advise when it is due to become available or if the lead time is delayed. If we cannot meet your requirements, we will offer you an alternative or refund.

Can I change my order?

Yes, but please be quick! If possible, make any changes on the same working day that you’ve placed your order.

If your order has already been dispatched, we regrettably won’t be able to make any changes, and so you will need to place a new order.

My order is a gift, can you exclude the receipt?

Yes, we can! At the checkout, please tick where it states: I’d like this to be a gift.

If your order is a marked as a gift, your parcel will not include a hardcopy invoice, but a packing slip, on which prices are hidden.

We use branded packaging tape, if you require plain packaging, please let us know in the order notes.

If you would like to include a message to the recipient, use Order Notes, and remember to add recipients name and address as the delivery address at checkout.

Please note: We are required to provide a commercial invoice stating your parcel’s value for orders to countries outside the UK. This is also required for locations such as the Channel Islands.

How do I create an account?

To register your account, visit https://www.originalmarquetry.co.uk/my-account/

Or create an account during checkout by ticking ‘create an account?’ located just below the phone and email address box.

Once you have an account, you can view your addresses, order history, and pay for outstanding invoices.

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Delivery

How much is delivery?

Mainland UK delivery prices are automatically calculated at checkout. The price is based on the product type and its size, particularly its length. Read more here.

Most items to Mainland UK will be sent via our UK Standard (Medium Parcel) service which starts from £8.95.

Due to the nature of our products, some items may incur surcharges or require the following services, available to Mainland UK only:

  • UK Standard (1 Metre Parcel): £10.95
  • UK Standard (Large Parcel): £14.95

Our small parcel service is a reduced delivery rate of £6.95, available to Mainland UK only. Eligible goods are under 15cm in size. Includes mother of pearl, abalone, paua shells, brass cabinet fittings, fret saw blades and very small marquetry panels. Eligible for orders with £20.00 maximum order value (this is the item value only and excludes delivery).

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we accept orders from most countries. After receipt of your order, we will let you know if any delivery surcharges apply. At checkout, enter your country to view the delivery price or click the button below. Please note, Customs fees may apply, details noted below.

There’s no delivery option for my country, can I still order?

If your country is not listed, please email us your order and shipping address. If you prefer, add the items to your basket and send us a screenshot.

We will advise the estimated delivery time and price. Prices are based on the size and weight of your chosen goods. Parcels will be trackable.

Customs

Overseas orders are sent via a DDU (Delivery Duty Unpaid) service, which incur Customs clearance fees, duties and VAT, payable by you (the recipient) once your parcel reaches your local customs office.

As Customs procedures differ from country to country, we are unfortunately unable to advise on the process, fees and timeframes. Before placing your order, we advise contacting your local Customs office for further information.

UK VAT

UK VAT is not applicable and will not be charged for destinations outside of the UK, except for the Isle of Man.

Overseas Restrictions

Some items cannot be sent overseas; this is specified in the product’s description.

Can I collect my order?

Yes, of course. We just ask you to please wait for us to contact you to confirm when it’s ready and when to collect. This is so we can ensure your order is ready before you travel to us.

Collection is available Monday to Friday, between 11:00am and 4:00pm. A packaging fee may apply if the goods require special attention to avoid damage during your transit home.

Why has VAT been applied to my delivery charge?

We do not use Royal Mail who are VAT exempt, instead we use couriers, whose services are VAT chargeable. Therefore, as a VAT registered company we legally have charge VAT on our delivery services to UK customers. Unfortunately, we have no control over this.

How do you ship wood veneers?

Where possible we roll up lengthy wood veneers. Not all wood veneers can be rolled, it depends on the wood’s thickness and malleability. If your order arrives as a cylindrical parcel, it is likely that we have rolled your wood veneers.

If you have purchased wood veneers, please unpack your parcel as soon as possible after delivery. Take care unrolling the veneer and try to avoid it from springing open, it could cause damage. Storing the veneer in this rolled form for a duration of time can cause it to keep its rolled shape.

We recommend storing wood veneer in a cool (around 10°C), dry place. Avoid rooms with high moisture. Keep flat and (if possible) under a weight or press. The weight should be evenly distributed.

When will I receive my order?

Once payment has cleared, most orders are dispatched within 1 – 2 working days. Delivery excludes Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Delivery for our UK Standard (Small Parcel) occurs Monday to Saturday.

Estimated Delivery Times:
Next Working Day1 working day for orders placed before 1PM. 99% guaranteed.
UK Standard3 – 5 working days.
Non-Mainland UK3 – 5 working days.
Overseas3 – 10 working days. Please allow a little extra time for Customs procedures.

I chose a Next Working Day delivery service, is this guaranteed?

We work hard to dispatch all orders in a timely manner with priority given to Next Working Day orders.

99% of orders placed using our Next Working Day delivery service arrive the following working day.

We state it as 99% effective, as we ultimately depend on our couriers to complete your order process, and there may be unexpected conditions which could affect this timeframe.

Who will deliver my parcel?

Parcelforce is our main courier. Our small parcels are delivered by Evri. We may use alternative couriers for overseas, large or lengthy orders.

Our couriers automatically send helpful notifications, but these may be unavailable for certain services and countries. Notifications may include:

WhenNotified via Notification
Day of dispatchText or emailAdvises the estimated delivery date.
Day of deliveryTextReminder that the delivery is due that day.
Before deliveryTextAdvises one-hour delivery time window.
After delivery EmailSuccessful delivery.

How do I check my order status and track my parcel?

Check your order status:

To check your order status, log in to My Account and go to ‘Orders’.
Or, contact us and please have your invoice number to hand. This is a 5-digit number stated on your invoice and order confirmation email.

Track your parcel:

Track your parcel online using the tracking number stated in the text or email provided by the courier service, usually supplied automatically after dispatch. Contact us if you have not received one.

Our Customer Service Helpline
Tel:+44 (0)117 944 2640
Email:info@originalmarquetry.co.uk

Or call us out-of-hours and leave a message on our 24-hour answerphone.

I haven’t received my tracking details, can you help?

Sorry about this! Please contact us and we will send it through ASAP. They should have been supplied automatically after dispatch.

My order has arrived damaged, what do I do?

We package every order with great care and attention, but we know accidents can happen. If your item arrives damaged, please email us a photo of the damage. We will then investigate and respond as soon as possible with instructions for returns and a replacement or refund.

Notification must be made within 2 calendar days from receipt of order (delivery date) or otherwise claims may not be entertained.

During delivery, please check your parcel for any obvious signs of damage and record any issues with the courier before signing. If there is excessive or visible damage to the outer parcel, please refuse your delivery and contact us for a replacement. – Snap a photo if you can!

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Returns & Cancellations

Can I cancel my order?

Yes, but please notify us as soon as possible. Orders cancelled prior to dispatch will receive a full refund.

Exclusions apply:

We cannot accept cancellations, returns, or issue refunds after receipt of payment for bespoke orders. Bespoke orders include made-to-order items. Or items which have been specifically ordered in for you due to zero or insufficient/low stock, and items outside of our standard product list such as custom-sized brass strips.

Cancellations, returns and refunds for Business to Business orders are made at the manager’s discretion and may not be offered.

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Product Information

Wood Veneers

What should I know about wood veneers?

Click here to view our dedicated wood veneers page, or here for coloured wood veneer information.

I’m working on a car dashboard, can you help?

Are you restoring a classic car? Then yes, we can supply you with the wood veneer and the tools you’ll need to perfect your car dashboard.

You can of course choose any wood veneer type or wood species that you like. However, it’s common for car dashboards to be made using Burr Walnut wood veneer.

We have specially selected some of our more exquisite, larger burr wood veneers which are ideal for luxury car dashboards. View them here.

To help you get started, you may also need:

Which glue is suitable for use with wood veneers?

Pearl/animal glue is recommended for most projects and is especially good for restorations and antique pieces.

Contact glue is ideal for shaped items rather than flat, and when wood veneer cannot be placed under a press or in clamps. Please note that once two items are covered in this glue and they make contact, they cannot be pulled apart. There are no second chances with this glue!

Glue film and other wood adhesives such as PVA are better suited for new projects. Ideal when the surfaces to be glued are in great condition, top quality wood veneers, and most importantly, are flat. We do NOT recommend glue film to be used with wood veneers over 0.6mm in thickness, as the thickness may stop the glue from penetrating. If using with burr wood veneers, we recommend testing a small section before applying to the full leaf.

What thicknesses of wood veneer are available?

Thicknesses vary but are generally available as follows. Occasionally some may differ and so we ask you to please always check the thickness stated in the product description.

  • Standard (Decorative) Wood Veneer: 0.6mm
  • Burr Wood Veneer: 0.6mm
  • Coloured Wood Veneer: 0.6mm
  • Constructional Wood Veneer: 1.5mm, 2.0mm
  • Saw Cut Wood Veneer: 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm, 4.0mm
  • Oyster Wood Veneer: 1.5mm

I need multiple sheets of the same wood veneer, will they be consecutive or match?

We will always send consecutive leaves if you order multiples of the same wood veneer. We know this is important should you be looking to book match them.

Please note, book matching most species on the length is often very accurate but book matching the widths (an end to end) can be quite difficult and may not create a very accurate match. This is also especially true with wider grain species such as, Magnolia (North American Tulipwood), Oak and Pine.

Are your coloured wood veneers dyed all the through?

Yes, our coloured wood veneers have been dyed so that the colour penetrates the whole leaf. This means you can sand the veneer and the colour will not disappear.

I only need a small piece of wood veneer, can you help?

Our wood veneers are mostly sold per leaf (sheet). Each wood type varies in size and are available as listed. We do not cut to down to custom sizes.

Smaller pieces of veneer are available in selected wood veneer packs but not sold individually. If you need an off cut or small piece of a particular veneer, contact us on the off chance we might have it.

Why are there 2 sizes stated for the width of a wood veneer?

The width at each end of a wood veneer leaf (sheet) may differ due to the natural way a tree grows, tapering towards the top.

So, there are sometimes 2 widths stated in the product description because the leaf can taper in size, with one end being wider than the other.

I don’t understand your wood veneer sizing, can you help?

You may see the following in the product description:

No. 1 – 122 x 18 – 14″ (309 x 45 – 35cm)

… it means:

No. 1: The product code. In this case, the product code is 1.
• Length: 122 inches or 309cm
• Width One: 18 inches or 45cm
• Width Two: 14 inches or 35cm

What about the thickness? The thickness is noted in the product description (3rd bullet point) just above where you choose the size.

Why are there 2 widths? Please see the previous question (above).

What’s book matching?

Book matching is one of the most popular veneer matching methods. Some of our wood veneers, especially burrs are book matched when photographed. This means 2 consecutive wood veneers leaves are opened like a book, laid side by side to mirror the grain and create a symmetrical pattern.

It can also be book matched in quarters, this is where the ‘open book’ is mirrored once again but using 4 leaves. This often creates a central focus. Essentially you can continue to book match until you have reached your required size… or run out of leaves.

Book matching is useful for making up a larger area with the use of smaller leaves, for when a natural large size is unavailable.

We will always send consecutive leaves if you order multiples of the same wood veneer.

Please note, book matching most species on the length is often very accurate but book matching the widths (an end to end) can be quite difficult and may not create a very accurate match. This is also especially true with wider grain species such as, Magnolia (North American Tulipwood), Oak and Pine.

Popular Book Matching Choices
Book Match using 2 Pieces for a Central Focus
Book Match using 4 Pieces for a Central Focus
Book Match using 2 Pieces for a Central Focus
Book Match using 4 Pieces for a Central Focus
Book Match using 2 Pieces for a Vertical Focus
Book Match using 4 Pieces for a Vertical Focus
Slip Match
Reverse Slip Match

What is meant by ‘repairable split’?

Some wood veneers may have a repairable split. Once glued the split should be invisible. Sometimes these splits are in the wood’s nature and so naturally occur along the grain line. Where we’ve noticed a split, we often tape it together/closed to avoid further splitting.

How are wood veneers cut and made?

Our wood veneers are either crown cut, quarter cut or rotary cut. Standard (decorative) wood veneers are sliced from solid timber, whereas saw cut wood veneers are sawn.

Crown cut wood veneers have more figuring usually creating a ring/elliptical design which is often referred to as the ‘cathedral effect’ or ‘cathedral crown’. A tree log is sliced entirely across its width.

Quarter cut wood veneers generally have a ‘stripy’ grain. A tree log is cut into quarters and then each quarter is sliced at right angles to the growth rings.

Rotary cut wood veneers are often heavily figured with unusual and intriguing grains, often seen on Birdseye maple. A tree log is cut from the outside using a peeling technique which produces relatively larger widths.

Why are your wood veneers numbered?

You may notice each wood veneer will have a number within its product description such as ‘Boxwood Wood Veneer No. 10’. We assign a number to each bundle or log so that we can easily identify and distinguish between them. Ultimately, easing your order processing time!

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Marquetry

What should I know about marquetry?

Click here to view our dedicated marquetry page.

I’ve bought a marquetry panel from you, which side should I glue down?

Thanks for purchasing a marquetry panel, we hope you love it!

The panel is to be glued down with the veneer tape side uppermost (facing up) and visible. Place the panel under a press/weight or in clamps for the appropriate time, by following your adhesives drying instructions.

I’m a marquetry beginner, what do I need?

If you are new to marquetry or looking to take up marquetry, to start off, as a minimum, we recommend the following items:

  • Wood Veneer Pack – A mixture of shades and wood types is ideal.
  • Veneer Tape.
  • Marquetry Craft Knife and a Cutting Mat, or see our Marquetry Beginners Tool Set.

Other useful tools include:

What’s the difference between your Marquetry Kits?

Click here to view our dedicated marquetry kit types guide.

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Brass Strips

How to glue brass strips to wood?

A polyurethane-based adhesive, such as Gorilla Glue or Gorilla Wood Glue can be used for gluing metal to wood.

Please note: This is not a warranty, but a common recommendation made by our customers. We hope sharing this suggestion might be of some use to you. We recommend testing a small section before the full application.

How to polish my brass strips?

Brasso, Autosol or any other preferred polishing method can be used to add shine to your brass strips.

Please note: This is not a warranty, but a common recommendation made by our customers. We hope sharing this suggestion might be of some use to you. We recommend testing a small section before the full application.

How to protect my brass strips?

Our customers often state they have found using Rylard Brass Lacquer Incralac helps protect the brass from tarnishing.

Please note: This is not a warranty, but a common recommendation made by our customers. We hope sharing this suggestion might be of some use to you. We recommend testing a small section before the full application.

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Mother of Pearl

How to cut Mother of Pearl and other shells?

To fine cut mother of pearl, abalone, and other shells, we recommend using Gold Snail Fret Saw Blades, particularly No. 1 or No. 2 and with a slow speed. A piercing saw and bench hook may also be of use (links below).

Tip! For easier handling, use double-sided tape to hold down the mother of pearl onto a larger piece of MDF.

Disclaimer: This information is based on our experience. It is intended as a general guide and recommendation. It is not a warranty or specification. Before use, we advise customers test and determine that the material is suitable for their intended purpose.

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Product Guides

Are any of your guides available online?

Yes, click here to view our Useful Guides.

Veneer Tape

Is there a difference between the white veneer tape and brown veneer tape?

Veneer tapes are great for joining and holding veneers together before gluing down. The veneer tape side is to be glued uppermost (facing up) and visible. Once the glue is dry, the veneer tape can be removed by slightly dampening the tape and carefully rubbing it off with a scraper.

The most obvious difference is the colour. A white tape makes for a good contrast against woods which browner in colour. When removing the veneer tape, the colour difference can help make the removal easier.

However, the main difference between the tapes is their thickness and width, with the white tape being thicker and wider. Covering a large area? Less is needed when using a wider tape. Our widest tapes are 68mm (brown) and 70mm (white).

Our white veneer tape is also available perforated which can be glued both uppermost and facing down. We do not recommend perforated tape for marquetry panels or when gluing numerous veneers together. They are held better together with a non-perforated tape.

White Veneer Tape Sizes:

20mm x 200m (34gsm)
48mm x 200m (70gsm)
50mm x 200m (90gsm)
70mm x 200m (90gsm)

Brown Veneer Tape Sizes:


48mm x 200m (60gsm)

68mm x 200m (60gsm)

Fret Saw Blades

Which fret saw blades should I use?

Blade NameIdeal Materials to CutFeatures
Niqua SpeedWoodQuick-cutting, counter toothing.
Niqua Fix/PebecoWood, Horn, Plaster, Synthetic MaterialsQuick-cutting, no ‘drifting’ of the cut.
Niqua Fix ReverseWood, Horn, Plaster, PlasticProblem-free cutting of curves, counter-toothing.
Penguin Gold TwistWood, Horn, Plaster, PlasticCounter-toothing; splinter-free finish.
Niqua Top CutIntricate Pieces of Wood, PlasticsSplinter-free finish.
Gold SnailMetal, Mother of PearlPrecision piercing saw blades.

Sandpaper

Which sandpaper do you recommend I use before using your Polishing Kit?

Before using our polishing kit, we recommend sanding the wood veneer in stages using high quality sandpaper. Start from a medium grade and work up to a fine grade (240 grit).

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Samples

Do you provide free samples of Wood Veneer?

Do you provide free samples of Inlay Bandings or Lines & Stringing?

Unfortunately, samples are rarely available and often we cannot send free samples however, most are available to buy as a 1 metre length piece.

Do you provide free samples of Inlay Brass Strips?

Unfortunately, we do not have any small brass strip off cuts and so cannot send free samples. However, most are available to buy as a 1 metre length pieces. L-Shape strips are usually 50cm in length.

Please look out for our occasional brass strip off cut offers as these can vary in length, some as small as 30cm.

Do you provide free samples of Mother of Pearl?

Unfortunately, we cannot provide free samples of Mother of Pearl or other shells. However, most are sold individually.

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