Support

What materials do you offer?

Three: 6061-T6 aluminum, C36000 brass, and C11000 copper. Every piece is CNC-machined from a single billet. Aluminum is the light one and takes anodizing; brass and copper are about three times heavier and are the two that hold a mirror polish.

What are the finish options?

Three per metal, and which three depends on the metal. Every piece can be left as machined or bead blasted. Aluminum adds anodizing, in nine colors, which grows a hard oxide layer that will not hold a fingerprint; brass and copper add a mirror polish, which aluminum is too soft to keep. As machined leaves leaves a subtle texture from the cutting process — faint patterns that catch the light. Sandblasted has a uniform matte surface, similar to the finish on a silver MacBook Pro. Polished is buffed to a mirror-like reflective surface that shows terrain contours through light and reflection rather than texture.

What anodized colors are there, and will mine match the photo?

Nine: natural, black, dark gray, dark green, champagne, red, cobalt blue, sky blue and pink. Anodizing is a dye bath, not paint, so the exact shade moves a little with the metal and the bath, and edges take dye more lightly than flat faces. On a terrain relief that reads as shading along the ridgelines rather than as a flaw, but it does mean two pieces of the same color are close rather than identical. Black is the most consistent, and it is also where the engraving shows best: the laser cuts through the dye to bare aluminum, so the lettering and the contour lines come out bright against it.

Will the finish change over time?

Aluminum forms its own thin oxide and stays stable; anodizing makes that layer thicker and harder. Brass and copper patina — brass darkens and warms over months, copper goes further and can reach a deep red-brown. Many people want exactly that. If you don’t, a metal polish brings either one back. We don’t lacquer anything, so the metal stays honest.

Why not wood?

Metal holds tolerances that wood can’t. Fine ridgelines, narrow saddles, subtle drainages: these need a material without grain variation. Wood also warps and cracks over time. If you still want wood or another material, we can do custom orders at a premium.

How heavy is it?

Weight varies with size, base height, and the geography itself — a steep peak has more material than a gentle slope. At a typical 40 mm total height, aluminum runs about 270 g for the Small (a smartphone), 760 g for the Medium (a hardcover book) and 1.5 kg for the Large. Brass and copper are roughly three times that: about 860 g, 2.4 kg and 4.7 kg. Maximum total height is 60 mm for every size.

How should I care for it?

Aluminum is low-maintenance — wipe with a soft cloth if dusty. Brass and copper will patina; a gentle metal polish restores the original colour whenever you want it back. Every piece is uncoated. Not food-safe and not intended as drinkware.

What sizes are available?

Three sizes, all round: Small is a 75 mm disc, Medium is 125 mm, and Large is 175 mm. Maximum total height is 60 mm for all three. Same terrain, different scales.

How accurate is the terrain?

We use the highest-resolution satellite elevation data available for each region. The production model for your piece goes through additional processing beyond what’s shown in the 3D preview — optimized for the specific geometry and scale of your order.

Can I order a location that isn’t a mountain?

Yes. Coastlines, canyons, river valleys, craters, your own backyard. If satellites have measured it, we can machine it.

What if my area is mostly flat?

Flat terrain can still look beautiful — river deltas, coastlines, and subtle valleys all have character at the right scale. The vertical exaggeration slider in the configurator helps emphasize gentle relief. That said, if your area is truly featureless, a smaller coverage area at higher scale will usually find something interesting nearby.

How do I choose the right scale?

Smaller scales (1:10K–1:25K) capture fine detail — individual ridges, gullies, trail switchbacks. Larger scales (1:100K–1:500K) show the big picture — entire mountain ranges, coastlines, volcanic chains. The configurator lets you preview both in real time. For a single peak or valley, start around 1:50K. For a region, try 1:200K.

Can I engrave custom text?

Yes. Add text to the side wall: coordinates, names, dates, whatever you like. Three typefaces available (sans, serif, mono).

What’s on the bottom?

Every piece includes a laser-engraved topo map on the underside: contour lines derived from the same elevation data as the terrain, a north arrow and centermark for orientation, and the coordinates, material, scale, and mountains.art branding around the perimeter. You can see this in the configurator by rotating the 3D preview to view the bottom face.

Can I preview before ordering?

Yes. The configurator generates a full 3D preview from real satellite elevation data — the same data we use to machine your piece. Rotate, zoom, adjust exaggeration, try different sizes and finishes before you commit. What you see is what gets machined.

How long does production take?

All orders are currently pre-orders: pieces are machined in batches, and ordering for the next batch closes September 30. Once your batch enters production, machining and finishing take 4–6 weeks, and your piece ships as soon as it clears inspection.

Can I cancel or modify my order?

You can cancel within 48 hours of placing your order for a full refund. After that, your piece enters production and cannot be cancelled. For modifications, contact us as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

How much is shipping?

How is it packaged?

Each piece ships in a miniature pine crate with perforated paper packaging inside. The crate is solid and built to protect — it may arrive with its own scuffs and marks from the journey, which is part of the charm.

What’s your return policy?

Because every piece is custom-machined to order, we generally don’t accept returns and can’t cancel an order once production begins. Each piece is a solid block of metal, ships in a wooden crate, and is photographed before leaving our shop. If something isn’t right, contact us within 14 days and we’ll work with you to resolve it, whether that’s a replacement or a refund.

Will I receive updates on my order?

Your confirmation email links to a live order page that tracks every stage — confirmed, in production, shipped, delivered — and we’ll email you when your piece ships.

Do you accept custom or bulk orders?

Yes. We do bulk orders for corporate gifts, events, and retail. For unusual sizes, materials, or configurations, reach out and we’ll see what we can do.