Fitting

At Artenara Studio, our panels are designed to be worked, shaped, and fitted on-site to ensure a perfect integration into your home.

Our panels bond directly to drywall, wood, or existing tiles using standard construction adhesive. No mechanical drilling or fastening is required.

Installation steps:

1. Surface Preparation

The mounting surface must be clean, dry, and free of dust or grease before application.Degrease all surfaces. Clean both the wall and the copper using an alcohol-based solution to remove all lipid residuals. Always handle the panels with protective gloves to prevent injury from sharp edges.

2. Adhesive Choice

Any heavy-duty construction adhesive designed for plastic and metal will work effectively.

3. Application

Apply the adhesive in dots to wall, staying roughly 2cm away from the edges to prevent "squeeze-out" when the panel is pressed into place. Ensure dots are thick enough to bridge wall irregularities and maintain contact with the metal.

4. Pressure

Once positioned, apply firm, even pressure across the entire surface for the full curing time to ensure complete bond.

Top tip: Clamp the copper panel against the wall using a sheet of OSB, plywood, or a similar rigid board to distribute pressure evenly and hold it in place for 24 hours while the adhesive fully cures. Quick-set adhesives may achieve initial hold in approximately 30 minutes, but a full 24-hour clamping period ensures reliable adhesion.

On-Site Customization & Cutouts

We exclusively offer our panels in rectangular dimensions. We do not provide pre-cut holes for sockets or switches, as we believe these are best measured and executed on-site for a perfect flush fit.

We encourage you to customise your panels as needed using standard metal-working tools:

• Jigsaws: for precise cutouts (like electrical sockets), use a jigsaw fitted with a fine-tooth metal-cutting blade.
• Metal Cutters / Snips: for straight edge adjustments or trimming, standard industrial metal cutters/snips are highly effective.

Care Instructions

Every Artenara Studio piece is sealed with museum-grade Renaissance wax before delivery. This microcrystalline coating creates a temporary protective barrier, slowing the natural ageing process and preserving the original finish.

To maintain your copper or brass panel, gently clean with a soft cloth and mild soap only. Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals. 

Take extra care to avoid acidic cleaning products such as limescale removers — always read the label first. Even spraying these near the copper or brass panel, such as at a sink or cooker, can send droplets onto the surface and damage the finish.

Will my copper backsplash change over time?

This is the most common question we receive, and the answer is both yes and no.

As the wax layer wears away through cleaning, washing, or general use, the finish will continue to change and develop over time. Direct contact with acidic liquids — vinegar, sauces, fruit juices — will speed up this reaction and further alter the product's appearance.

As the wax gradually wears, you can choose how the surface evolves:

• To preserve the original appearance:
  Reapply a thin layer of museum-grade wax periodically to maintain the existing finish.
• To allow natural patina to develop:
  Leave the surface untreated and allow the copper to age organically, developing deeper tone and character over time.

Selective refinement

If patina development becomes stronger than desired, oxidation can be selectively reduced. Applying a small amount of lemon juice to specific areas allows you to brighten highlights, restore contrast, and control the visual balance of the surface.

At Artenara Studio, we believe metal surfaces should be lived with, not protected from use. Copper is a responsive material, and its ability to evolve is part of its character. Our approach allows each piece to adapt naturally to its environment while remaining fully under your control.

Shipping

• Crafting Period: Each piece is made-to-order. Please allow 3-4 weeks for your panel to be forged, patinated, and sealed before dispatch. Once shipped, delivery typically takes 4–8 business days depending on destination.
• Secure Delivery: We use specialized art-handling packaging to ensure your metalwork arrives in pristine condition. All shipments are fully insured and tracked.
• Shipping costs: Shipping for custom sizes is calculated at checkout based on weight and destination to ensure the most accurate and fair rate
• Import duties: We ship globally from our studio based in Vilnius, Lithuania (EU). We aim for smooth customer experience, with no unexpected charges at your door. As such, our prices are set per destination and include import duties for DDP markets.
• USA customers: All orders to the USA are shipped DDP — duties and import fees are included in your price. Nothing to pay on arrival. 

Returns

• Standard Sizes: We offer a 14-day return window for panels in our standard dimensions. If you are not satisfied, please contact us within 14 days of delivery.
• Return Shipping: For standard returns, the buyer is responsible for return postage costs. We strongly recommend using a tracked and insured service, as the item must arrive in its original, undamaged condition.
• Bespoke Commissions: Because bespoke panels are custom-crafted to your specific requirements, these sales are final and cannot be returned or exchanged.
• Damages: In the rare event of transit damage, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographic evidence. We will prioritize a replacement, or issue full refund.

About my order

• How long will my order take?

Each brass and copper panel is made to order in our workshop. Please allow 3–4 weeks for cutting, patination, and sealing before dispatch. Once shipped, delivery typically takes 4–8 business days depending on destination.

• How is my panel packaged and shipped?

All panels are shipped in specialist art-handling packaging, fully insured and tracked. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on size, weight and delivery destination.

• What if my panel arrives damaged?

Contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographic evidence (both shipping crate and the contents). We will arrange a replacement or issue a refund, depending on your preferences.

International shipping and imports

• Will I have to pay import duties?

We ship globally from our studio in Vilnius, Lithuania. To avoid unexpected charges, we set our prices per destination and ship DDP ("Delivered duty paid"). Duties and import taxes are included in your price, with nothing to pay on arrival.

• Do US buyers have to pay customs duties on goods imported from the EU?

Yes - but they are included in your final price.

Since August 2025, the US de minimis exemption no longer applies to most imported goods, meaning all shipments from the EU are subject to import duties on arrival. For handmade metal goods like ours, the applicable rate is currently around 20%.

We handle this on your behalf by shipping all US orders on DDP terms — the duty is calculated and included in your price upfront, so there is nothing to pay on delivery and no unexpected charges from your courier.

• Do UK buyers have to pay import VAT on orders from the EU?

Yes - but they are included in your final price.

Since Brexit took effect, all goods imported into the UK from the EU are subject to 20% UK import VAT regardless of order value.

We handle this on your behalf by shipping all UK orders on DDP terms — the duty is calculated and included in your price upfront, so there is nothing to pay on delivery and no unexpected charges from your courier.

Pricing & Invoices

• Why does my price change at check out?

Prices are set per destination country, because import duties, customs handling and shipping costs differ from one country to another. When you enter your delivery address at checkout, prices update to match where your order is actually going — so what you see at checkout is what your order truly costs to deliver there.

• Do you issue commercial invoices?

Yes — a full invoice is issued with every order. If you are purchasing for a business and require specific details on your invoice, please let us know at the time of ordering.

Product information

• Is the metal solid or plated?

All our panels are made from solid brass or copper sheet — never plated or laminated. This ensures authentic patina behaviour and genuine long-term character.

• How thick are the panels?

Copper panels are 0.6mm thick (23 ga) and brass panels are 0.5mm (24 ga). This gauge is intentional — thin enough to cut and shape on-site with standard metalworking tools, while retaining the weight and rigidity of solid metal.

• How heavy are brass and copper backsplashes?

Copper panels weigh 5.5kg per m² and brass panels 4.3kg per m². As a practical example, a typical kitchen backsplash of 0.6m² in brass weighs approximately 2.6kg — light enough to be held securely with construction adhesive alone, no mechanical fixing required.

• Can copper backsplash be used behind a gas hob?

Yes, our copper and brass backsplashes are suitable for use behind gas and electric hobs provided there is a minimum distance of 150mm from the heat source.

Returns

• Can I return my panel?

Standard size panels can be returned within 14 days of delivery. Return postage is the buyer's responsibility, so in the unlikely event of you wanting to return your order, we advise using a tracked and insured service. Bespoke commissions are final sale — each panel is custom-crafted to your exact specifications and cannot be returned or exchanged.

Fitting and Customizaton

• How do I install a copper backsplash?

Brass and copper backsplashes bond directly to drywall, wood, or existing tiles using standard heavy-duty construction adhesive — no drilling required.

• Can I order a custom size?

Yes. We make copper and brass backsplashes to your custom dimensions. We work regularly with homeowners, interior designers, and architects on bespoke projects. Contact us directly to discuss your requirements.

• Can the panel be cut to fit around sockets or switches?

Yes — brass and copper panels can be cut on-site using a jigsaw with a fine-tooth metal-cutting blade.

We supply all panels in rectangular dimensions, as on-site cutting gives a more precise fit around sockets, taps, and switches than anything we could pre-cut in the workshop.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• How is my copper backsplash sealed and protected?

Our copper and brass panels are sealed with a museum-grade microcrystalline wax, which protects the metal against rust, oxidation, dust, water and fingerprints.

• How do I clean a copper or brass backsplash?

For routine cleaning, wipe with a soft damp cloth and a small amount of mild dish soap — avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads, or anything acidic, as these will affect the patina. For backsplashes behind a hob, wipe down regularly to prevent grease buildup. Regularly re-apply a thin layer of Renaissance wax after deep cleaning to restore the protective barrier.

• Where can I buy the wax for my copper or brass panel?

Renaissance wax is readily available on Amazon.com, amongst other online providers.

• Will my copper backsplash change color over time?

Yes and no. Every panel leaves our workshop sealed with museum-grade Renaissance wax, which preserves the original finish. As the wax wears, you can choose to reapply it to maintain the existing look, or allow a natural patina to develop gradually. If patina becomes stronger than desired, a small amount of lemon juice applied selectively can brighten highlights and restore contrast. Full metal care instructions are available in our Metal Care Guide.