The Process
Creating Your Art
A Little Cord Art canvas is definitely not off-the-shelf art--both our process and the end product are customized just for you. Here’s a peek at how we’ll work with you to create your one-of-a-kind piece of art.
We create each Little Cord Art piece by photographing the cells of an umbilical cord through a microscope. The result is a photograph of the cells, magnified up to 400x, printed on canvas. Contrary to what some may think, the art does not contain actual umbilical cord tissue or blood (believe us, we've had to dispel this myth many times!)
Collect a Sample of Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord
Though the actual umbilical cord is not represented in the finished art, we do use a 2-3 cm piece of the baby’s cord to create the photographs. Your healthcare provider will gather the cord sample, so you don’t have to handle it at all.
Your first step will be to order a collection kit. The kit includes:
- An information card to capture your contact info, etc.
- Step-by-step umbilical cord-gathering instructions for your health care provider
- A sealed scalpel for cutting a piece of the cord
- A specimen jar filled with preservative solution
- A sealed-top bag
- Return instructions and a pre-paid FedEx envelope to send the cord sample to us
You’ll need the collection kit before your baby is born, so plan to order it at least 2 weeks before the due date. And if you’re expecting more than one baby, order a kit for each baby. And when preparing your birth plan, mention Little Cord Art to your doctor or midwife.
Customize and Order Your Art
When we receive your cord, we’ll process it in our licensed pathology lab.
Learn about the scientific part of the process here »
In the meantime, we’ll be in touch via email and will ask you to customize and order your art.
First you’ll choose a shape
Then you’ll select a size
| Price | Total with shipping ($25 flat rate) | |
| Rectangle | ||
| 16x20 | $280 | $305 |
| 20x24 | $380 | $405 |
| 24x36 | $480 | $505 |
| 36x48 | $580 | $605 |
| Panoramic | ||
| 16x32 | $420 | $445 |
| 18x44 | $520 | $545 |
| Square | ||
| 20x20 | $360 | $385 |
| 30x30 | $470 | $495 |
| Groups | ||
| 12x12 group 2 | $400 | $425 |
| 12x12 group 3 | $500 | $525 |
| Digital Download | ||
| Without canvas purchase | $250 | |
| With canvas purchase | $75 | |
Finally, you’ll let us know what style you like by selecting one or more from the examples provided. Because every umbilical cord is unique, the way your baby's cord is represented (shapes, sizes, patterns) will not look exactly like the images below, but will be fairly similar. Based on your choices, we will produce at least three options, and you’ll choose your favorite to be printed on canvas.
Consider a Digital Image
In addition to creating a canvas, you can purchase any of the images as a high-resolution digital download. Make it your baby’s birth announcement, print it on a coffee mug, or do whatever you’d like.
Hang Your Art
We’ll print your high-resolution photo on a museum-grade matte poly cotton canvas using archival inks that are guaranteed to last. Each canvas is wrapped around 1.5” thick stretcher bars and backed with hanging hardware, so it’s display-ready right out of the box.