The Library is open over the October long weekend, with reduced hours on Monday 2 October 2023. View the long weekend opening hours here.
Ordering digital images and archival prints
Ordering digital copies of images
Readers can place digital image orders for digitised and undigitised materials, including those from Special Collections.
For materials from Special Collections, digitisation staff will endeavour to complete work within the existing standard and express turnaround times.
Express orders for some types of special collections items and/or large volumes of items may not always be possible. When placing these orders please confirm that your timeframe can be met.
How to place an order
You can order and pay for digital copies of images from the State Library collections online.
Images are supplied for the purpose of study and research.
If you wish to use an image from the State Library's collections in any other way, you will need to be aware of current copyright laws. It is your responsibility to check the copyright status of the material described in the Library catalogue.
If the material is in copyright you will need to seek permission from the copyright owner. Please fill out the Request for Permission form.
If the material is out of copyright, you do not need to request permission to use the images. Please acknowledge that the material is from the collections of the State Library of NSW.
1. Order using the online form
Please fill in the Ordering Images from the Library collection form with the following information:
- your contact details
- the details of the collection item/s. Details of the collection items can be found in the catalogue.
- any custom imaging requirements.
You can order up to 10 images per form. There is no limit to the number of forms you may submit.
After you have submitted the form, we will check your order to confirm that the image/s can be copied.
2. Payment by credit card
We will email you with the confirmed details of your order and information about how to pay for your order online. Only payment by credit card is available.
You will receive an order reference number and a link to the Library's secure payment portal.
Once payment is received, we will begin processing your order.
If you have any enquiries in regards to your digital order, please contact image.order@sl.nsw.gov.au
| Image | Specifications | Delivery methods |
|---|---|---|
|
General purpose Suitable for general use, web or print reproduction (up to A4) |
File size: Approx. 1 MB Format: JPEG Quality: 300 dpi Colour: RGB or Greyscale Other:
|
If you require an alternative delivery method, please contact us. Additional charges may apply. |
|
High resolution Suitable for reproduction in publications, exhibitions and large scale printing |
File size: 20-70 MB Format: JPEG or TIFF Quality: 300 dpi Colour: RGB or Greyscale Other:
|
Digital image prices
| Image | Standard (15 business days) |
Express (10 business days) |
Rush (5 business days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General purpose | $22 per image | $33 per image | $44 per image |
| High resolution | $45 per image | $67.50 per image | $90 per image |
Delivery methods and prices
Your files will be sent to you via email (as an attachment or link) at no charge. If you require an alternative delivery method, please contact us at image.order@sl.nsw.gov.au. Additional charges may apply.
Reproduction and publishing permissions
You need permission from the publisher or copyright owner to reproduce or publish images that are under copyright. You may also need to request permission from the Library to reproduce and publish the image.
The Library is not responsible for any costs or claims of copyright infringement in relation to copies of images supplied.
Learn more about permissions and publishing.
Ordering Archival prints of digital images
The Library Shop can organise prints of digital images that you’ve purchased from the Library's collections.
How to order fine art
The Library Shop can supply digital archival prints of material from the Library 's collection. Some of these prints can be ordered online.
Allow 21 days for print production.
Prices
| Size | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | $39 |
|
| A3 | $69 | |
| A2 | $99 | |
| A1 | $289 | |
| A0 | $489 |
All prices shown include 10% GST. International orders are exempt from GST.
Ordering digital archive prints
The Library has a large number of digital archival prints you're welcome to explore and order. Complete the order form, quoting the digital order number (starts with 'a'). Send your order form to the Library Shop (payment must accompany the order) or visit the Shop when at the Library.
You can also order online a selection of prints from our Shop.
Delivery times
Digital archival prints can be supplied within 21 days of placing an order.
About our digital archival prints
The Library Shop contracts one of Sydney's best fine art printers to produce its quality Giclee (pronounced 'gee-clay') prints of images held in the Library's collections.
The Giclee printing process was born in the early 1990s. Since then, the technology has advanced immeasurably in terms of equipment, media, inks and craftsmanship.
Some original watercolours and most lithographs will fade faster than a well-made Giclee. Unlike lithographs and serigraphs, Giclees have undergone extensive, third-party fade-testing. While the predicted display life depends on many variables, under typical home or office lighting, Giclees made with wide-gamut pigmented inks are estimated to last over 90 years without noticeably fading.
To view a range of Library images, visit The Library Shop or search the Library's pictures and manuscripts collection as well as other online collections.
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