Your Questions, Answered: A Guide to Process

Frequently Asked Questions….

1. Why choose Memory Lane Impressions over our competitors?

Other than the fact that we come to you which is something our competitors don’t do, we are a South Australian family business not a franchise, so we pride ourselves on providing you with best personalised service and product possible. We go the extra mile to ensure your satisfaction. Service and communication is something we do best because we refuse to be like everyone else these days.

2. What is the best age to have my child’s impressions taken?

We can take impressions at any age.  We do from newborn to adult BUT if you were to ask us what the ideal age is, we would say 4 weeks old. Don’t ask us why, it just seems to be the sweet spot. From another perspective though there area few reasons why 4 weeks old works so well other than their ability to cope with the casting.

~ For one it’s a nice milestone to capture.

~ Two they haven’t grown much.

~ Three you’ve probably got photos sorted by then if you are including a professional one in your frame.

~ And finally, if this is your first baby (and unlikely to be your last) it gives you time to get organised the next time round, because let me tell you from expervices one you have a second, time gets a little more stretched.

As we have said though, we can cast any age but from about 5 months and in some-cases from even 3 months baby starts to move, be stronger and more active and this can make getting the cast a little more difficult.  It doesn’t mean they are impossible to cast it just maybe a factor to consider when doing the casting. A child’s temperament as they get older has a huge role to play on whether a casting will successful or not especially when we get to the 1 year old mark.

3. What if I have more than one child that I would like to get done?

We can accommodate a family frame with multiple children in one frame or you can do individual frames. It’s really up to you.

4. How do you take the impressions?

We take a mould of your child’s hand or foot by placing it in a mix, that when set is like rubber.  It takes less than a minute to set and then we genitally remove the cast by wiggling the hand or food out. It is absolutely painless.

5. Is the product used for casting safe?

The product is non-toxic to skin in fact you may have used it before and not even known.  The product is  dental mould and is what dentists use when you have to have a mouth guard made.  So it is that safe it can go in your mouth! While there are no recorded cases of reaction to this product we do encourage you keep an eye on your child after the casting just encase, as there can always be a first time.

6. Who supplies the photo and/or birth certificate?

The photo(s) you will need to supply yourself.  The photo can either be one you have had professionally taken or one you have taken yourself.  If you need recommendations for a photographer we can assist with that too. The photo does not need to be given to us in a hard copy. You can email the image to us and we take care of the printing for you.

7. What if I don’t have my photos on the day of the appointment?

No problem! Just email us the photo when you do.

8. How long before I get the finished product?

The turnaround time is usually 8 weeks subject to public holidays and when the photo is supplied.  Delay in supplying a photo will impact the completion date of the final product, as all orders are processed in date order. Where photos’ are supplied outside of the 3 weeks from the date of the appointment, the final product will be completed at the soonest possible convenience of Memory Lane Impressions.

9. Do you do gift vouchers?

Yes we do.  Gift vouchers can be purchased for a nominated amount and we will post it out to you. For those that are in a hurry we have a printable option too!

10. When is payment required?

All we ask is a $50 deposit to secure your booking and then a further $50-$150 deposit on the day of the appointment (subject to total cost of package) and the balance is payable on completion. Or you are welcome to pay in installments until its ready.

11. How do I make payment?

Payments can be made by cash, EFT or credit card.  We accept all major credit cards, however they do incur a 1.9% processing fee.

12. How long does an appointment take?

Appointments can take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. 30 minutes if it’s only one hand and foot we are casting or 45 minutes if you are a return customer doing a full set. Allow 1 hour if you are a new customer doing a full set of hands and feet for one child. Multiple castings for one child or multiple children may take longer so feel free to ask when booking.

13. What happens if my child is not being cooperative on the day?

On very rare occasions this can occur and if after exhausting all options to get a successful set of castings we can re-book another day. However there is a rebooking fee to cover extra travel and the cost of extra moulds. This does not occur very often. As long as you have followed our preparing for your appointment instructions for newborns or weighed up the success of a cast for an older child then there is no reason we can get a successful cast.

14. Where are we located?

Our office is in Andrews Farm in the Northern suburbs of Adelaide. While we don’t cast at this location (because we are mobile) unless you are passing through from a country location or there are special circumstances, you can opt to collect your frame from us at this location to save on delivery fees.