FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find our answers to the most frequently asked questions about products, orders, shipments and deliveries.

If you need further assistance, remember that you can always contact our Customer Service at shop@kalamitica.com.

MAGNETIC CHALKBOARDS

Which magnetic board to choose?

The choice of a magnetic blackboard depends on its use and is therefore a personal choice.
We can use it to attach the souvenir magnets collected in our travels, to write, to create a green wall, to create an equipped wall or for all these things together.
The wide range of KalaMitica chalkboards offers many possibilities to choose from blackboards with wooden support, passing to classic blackboards or the shaped to be attached to the wall.
To furnish the desk you can use those with wooden support, that with our magnetic containers, become excellent desk accessories.
If you want to order a completely personalized blackboard, we also offer a custom made service.

Which magnetic board is better for me?

For those who love minimal design objects we recommend the classic blackboards that you will find in different colours.
Classic blackboards like 56x38 and 74x57 are our best selling products and they furnish in a simple and clean way. For those who love animals and nature and want something fun, we recommend looking at the shaped one.
If you want a blackboard for your desk, you will also find solutions with wooden bases.

What is a magnetic chalkboard for?

Magnetic boards have several uses:

To write and draw. Most of our products are writable with chalks and with Securit liquid chalk markers, that we have tested and you can find in the appropriate section of our website.
To create green walls with indoor plants, combined with KalaMitica containers,
To create new vertical space by freeing up the horizontal spaces, making functional and equipped walls.
To order and display your collection of fridge magnets.

Where can I put a magnetic chalkboard?

KalaMitica Magnetic System offers vertical solutions for any indoor environment where you need space, a green wall or to decorate your rooms.
The magnetic chalkboards, together with the accessories, create new space by freeing and ordering tables and all the horizontal surfaces in any room of the house, from the entrance to the kitchen.
In the entrance, they become nice and functional hangers for coats, bags and keys.
In the kitchen, they are perfect for writing the shopping list, for having ladles and spices on the wall and aromatic plants close at hand.
In the bedroom, they offer solutions for desks and turn into vertical the bedside tables.

What material are KalaMitica chalkboards made of?

KalaMitica chalkboards are made of ferritic steel.
The various shapes and sizes are the result of a production process that uses a laser cutting system. Once the cut is made, the sheet is powder-coated to guarantee a long life.
The whole process is carried out in Italy, which guarantees the 100% Made in Italy quality of our products.

What are the dimensions of the KalaMitica chalkboards?

Our chalkboards are available in many different sizes, depending on the type.
More details can be found in the technical data sheet of each article.

Are KalaMitica chalkboards also magnetic like the containers?

No, KalaMitica chalkboards do not have magnetic charge.
They are made of ferritic steel, therefore they are perfect surfaces for hanging our containers, KalaMitica cachepots, souvenir magnets and all magnets in general.

How can I fix the KalaMitica chalkboards to the wall?

Kalamitica chalkboards are always packaged with standard screws, wall plugs and screw covers.
Please note that walls made of other materials require different types of fixing accessories (not supplied).
Our chalkboards can also be fixed using silicone or silicone glues.
Once glued to the wall, we suggest fastening up the perimeter of the chalkboard with paper jointing tape for at least 24 hours.

How big are the fixing holes?

The fixing holes are counter-sunk, 0.5 cm large and designed to for screws of size M3 x 24mm.

Do chalkboards have a front and a back?

To identify the correct side of the board, simply observe the countersunk holes. When you insert the screw in the correct direction, it will fit perfectly into the hole and will not protrude from the surface of the board.

In any case, the front and back of the boards are perfectly identical in terms of paint and magnet attractiveness.

Do KalaMitica chalkboards have to be hung on the wall?

Some chalkboards can also be placed on a flat surface, thanks to a little wooden base.
For some types of chalkboards, the base is provided in the packagem otherwise it is possible to buy it separately.

Can I have a bespoke chalkboard?

Our chalkboards can be customized in size, shape and colour.
In our website you can find a section about bespoke chalkboards.
To learn more about this service, please visit the dedicated page or contact us at the following email address: made4you@kalamitica.com

Can I write on the KalaMitica chalkboards?

Unless otherwise indicated in the product data sheet, our magnetic chalkboards are writable with chalk or with Securit liquid chalk markers.
In our shop you can find the markers that we recommend to our customers, branded Securit.
Those of other brands can leave halos or marks, especially if you use dark colours on light-coloured chalkboards.
In our shop you can also find Securit spray cleaner, specifically designed for their liquid chalk markers.

Are there any contraindications to hanging metal chalkboards in the kitchen? Can food residues spoil them?

To date, there have been no contraindications in placing our chalkboards in the kitchen.
Some customers even use our chalkboards as a kitchen backsplash.
Any residue of food can be removed with a damp cloth or, if necessary, with a regular cleaner/degreaser.

Can I use them with any kind of magnet?

Yes, our chalkboards can be used with any object with a magnet.
Our chalkboards can support even large quantities of magnets without any problem.

Can KalaMitica chalkboards be used outdoors?

All KalaMitica chalkboards are mainly designed for interior decoration.
They can be used also outdoors, but we cannot guarantee their perfect preservation over time, if directly exposed to weathering.
We recommend keeping them away from rain and direct sunlight.

Are the chalkboards rigid or foldable?

KalaMitica chalkboards are rigid.
They are made of steel and are 1.2 mm thick, so they cannot be bent or curved.

How do I hang magnetic frames?

Magnetic frames are chalkboards with a wooden frame.
Like in normal frames, there are notched hooks on the back, so that you can hang them on the wall.
The rectangular versions are designed to be positioned in both directions.
Screws, wall plugs or nails are not included in the package.

Can I write on magnetic frames?

KalaMitica magnetic frames are writable only with liquid chalk markers branded Securit, that you can find in our shop.
Markers of other brands can leave marks or halos, especially if dark colours are used on light chalkboards. In case of problems, we suggest trying to use Securit spray cleaner (also available in our shop).
However, we cannot guarantee a thorough cleaning if you are not using the products that we tested and recommended.

Can I use double-sided adhesive tape or Velcro strips to fix my Chalkboard?

We strongly advise against using alternative methods (e.g. double-sided adhesive tape or Velcro strips) than those suggested by us.
Our Chalkboards can be very big and thus very heavy: if they fall, they could get damaged or damage other objects or people.
Please note that if you choose to use methods other than those suggested, we will not be liable for any damages.

MAGNETIC CONTAINERS AND MAGNETIC ACCESSORIES

Can KalaMitica containers and accessories be attached to any metal surface?

KalaMitica's containers, cachepot and accessories have a very powerful permanent neodymium magnet.

They stick to all metal surfaces containing iron.

Stability and adhesion will depend on the composition and thickness of the metal support.

Can I hang Kalamitica containers and accessories on the fridge?

They can be hung on the fridge only if it has a metal surface.
Their stability and adhesion will depend on the thickness of the surface and on the percentage of iron in it.

What material are KalaMitica containers made of?

KalaMitica containers and cachepots are made of ABS resin. Most of them are co-molded with a permanent neodymium magnet, which therefore is an integral part of the container.
Others have a powerful magnet that can be removed from the container itself.
All the containers in our range are 100% Made in Italy.

Are KalaMitica containers recyclable?

ABS resin is recyclable and must be disposed of as plastic waste. However, the magnet must be removed first.
For this operation it may be necessary to use a pair of pliers.

Can I use KalaMitica containers and accessories outdoors?

KalaMitica containers, cachepots and accessories have a very powerful permanent neodymium magnet.
They stick on any metal surface containing iron.
Their stability and adhesion will depend on the composition and thickness of the support.

Can KalaMitica pots contain food?

The KalaMitica items listed below are especially designed to contain food, as they have a movable fixing system thanks to which the magnet never touches the internal part of the container.

Magnetic Boule Ø10 cm
Magnetic Boule Ø15 cm
Magnetic Bowl 22 cm
Transparent Magnetic Boule Ø10 cm with lid

Can containers be used as plant pots?

Our magnetic containers are very well suited to contain plants, but it is important that they have their own pot.
We recommend not inserting plants directly in our containers, without a vase, in order to avoid root asphyxiation and magnet corrosion.

Will KalaMitica containers be damaged if they get wet?

To date, there have been no problems linked to the contact with water.
However, we recommend not exposing the containers to rain and not inserting plants in them without a vase.
If you want to use them to contain plants, it is important that they have their own pot. In case of direct and prolonged contact with water and potting soil, the magnet might be corroded, thus ruining the appearance of the container.

Do KalaMitica containers and accessories work on walls painted with magnetic paint?

KalaMitica containers and accessories can be hung on all metal surfaces containing iron.
Their stability and adhesion will depend on the composition and thickness of the support.
Our magnetic chalkboards are the ideal supports for our magnetic products, while we cannot guarantee the correct functioning on other supports.

Do KalaMitica containers work on magnetic walls made of glass?

KalaMitica containers and accessories can be hung also on glass-covered magnetic boards.
Their stability and adhesion will depend on the composition and thickness of the support and of the overlying glass.
Our magnetic chalkboards are the ideal supports for our magnetic products, while we cannot guarantee their correct functioning on other supports.

How much weight can KalaMitica containers carry?

Each container can support a certain weight, depending on its size and shape.
In the technical data sheet of each item you can read the maximum weight that can be carried.
The value indicated is valid when the container is hung on a KalaMitica chalkboard, which has a thickness of 1.2 mm.
Tests have been carried out on our metal supports.

What are the dimensions of the KalaMitica containers?

Our containers are available in many different dimensions, depending on the type of product.
More details can be found in the technical data sheet of each item.

How long does the magnet last?

KalaMitica containers have a permanent neodymium magnet that lasts forever.

Is it possible to wash KalaMitica containers in the dishwasher?

To date, there have been no problems with dishwashing.
However, we suggest not washing our products at very high temperatures or with aggressive detergents, that could negatively affect the magnet holding force.
However, the containers listed below, unlike all the others, have a movable fixing system that allows you to separate the container from the magnet.
All these items can therefore be washed in the dishwasher without any problem, like every kitchen accessory made of ABS resin:

Magnetic Boule Ø10 cm
Magnetic Boule Ø15 cm
Magnetic Bowl 22 cm
Transparent Magnetic Boule Ø10 cm with lid

Can the magnet cause problems for mobile phones and credit cards?

Yes, the magnet of our containers could cause some problems to mobile phones and credit cards, if placed in direct contact with them.
With the items listed below, however, this problem does not arise. Unlike the others, these containers have a movable fixing system, thanks to which the magnet never touches the internal part of the container, and the magnetic force is directed only towards the chalkboard:

Magnetic Boule Ø10 cm
Magnetic Boule Ø15 cm
Magnetic Bowl 22 cm
Transparent Magnetic Boule Ø10 cm with lid

Can I fix the magnetic shelf to the wall with screws?

No, the magnetic shelf is designed to be used with KalaMitica magnetic chalkboards. The two magnetic cubes support the shelf when hung on a metal support.

CUSTOM-MADE CHALKBOARDS

I didn’t find the Chalkboard I was looking for on the Website: can I order one with custom sizes?

Yes, we can make a completely customized Chalkboard, in size, shape and colour. Visit the section “Custom-made Blackboards” to learn more about this service and download a form to calculate your first quote. For any special request or need, you can contact us by sending an email to made4you@kalamitica.com.

I can't download / fill in the form to calculate the quote, what can I do?

No problem, you can simply send your request by email, by writing to made4you@kalamitica.com. We will contact you as soon as possible to define the details of your blackboard and present our offer.

I filled in the quote form, but I can’t add it to the cart to buy the Chalkboard. What should I do?

Orders for Custom Chalkboards follow a completely different procedure than orders placed on the Website, so they cannot be added to the cart.
Once you have filled in the quote, simply send it by email to made4you@kalamitica.com.
We will follow you step by step in the realization of your Bespoke Chalkboard.

I completed the registration on the Website but I cannot order a Bespoke Chalkboard. What can I do?

Orders for Customized Chalkboard follow a completely different procedure than orders placed online, so it is not necessary to register on the site.
Just download and fill in the form on the page dedicated to Customized Chalkboards, and send it by email to made4you@kalamitica.com.
We will follow you step by step in the realization of your Bespoke Chalkboard.

I want to add some accessories (e.g. liquid chalk markers, cachepots, hangers…) to my Bespoke Chalkboard; do I have to order them on the Website?

It is not necessary: we recommend that you send us a list of the accessories you want to buy, so we will ship them to you together with the Chalkboard and you will not have to pay the shipping costs twice.

Is it possible to make a Chalkboard without fixing holes?

No. Even if you don't want to hang the Chalkboard with screws and plugs, we need to make two small holes on the short side, because the Chalkboard is hung on two hooks during the painting procedure.

Are the discounts and promotions on the site also valid for orders for Customized Chalkboards?

No. Orders for Customized Boards follow a completely different procedure than orders placed on the site, and require higher production times and costs.
For this reason, the promotions and discount codes provided for the products on our site are not applicable to Customized Blackboards.
Any discount codes (welcome discount or promotional codes temporarily activated on the site) can only be applied to accessories purchased together with the Customized Blackboard.

Can I use the welcome discount code to order a custom-made Blackboard?

No. The welcome code received after subscribing to the newsletter is only valid to the first order placed on the site.
Orders for Customized Boards follow a completely different procedure than orders placed on the site, and require higher production times and costs.
Any discount codes (welcome discount or promotional codes temporarily activated on the site) can only be applied to accessories purchased together with the Customized Blackboard.

When will I receive my Custom-made Chalkboard?

After confirming the order, it usually takes 5-7 weeks to make a Bespoke Chalkboard.
Of course, if your Chalkboard will be ready sooner than expected, we'll notify you right away.

I want to order a custom-made Chalkboard: how and when do I have to pay?

Payment must be made by bank transfer. For custom-made Chalkboard, we do not accept payments with PayPal, credit card or cash on delivery.
Usually, we do not require payment at the time of ordering, but only when the Chalkboard is ready to be shipped. However, in case of particularly high amounts, our sales department reserves the right to request the payment of a deposit at the time of order confirmation.
We will contact you at the appropriate time and provide you with all the information for payment.

How can I fix my Bespoke Chalkboard to the wall?

All the KalaMitica Chalkboards, included Bespoke ones, come with a kit of standard screws, wall plugs and screw covers, suitable for masonry and concrete walls.
Alternatively, they can be attached using silicone glues. Once the Blackboard has been glued to the wall, we recommend fastening up its perimeter with adhesive paper tape for at least 24 hours.

Please note that walls made of other materials require different types of fixing accessories (not supplied):

- Plasterboard: use suitable wall plugs (not the ones supplied) or silicone glues;
- Solid wood: use the supplied screws, also suitable for wood;
- Ceramic tiles (e.g. kitchen backsplash or bathroom walls): use silicone glues which, if necessary, can be removed without damaging the tiles, using a suitable scraper and thinner.

Can I use double-sided adhesive tape or Velcro strips to fix my Chalkboard?

KALAMITICA MADE4YOU - CUSTOMISED BOARDS

How to make a Made4You customised board?

Creating a customised board is very simple.

Within the product sheet (pay attention to the chosen size and orientation), click on the "Customise" button: our online configurator will open.

The configurator is also available on tablets and smartphones, but for a better experience we recommend using a PC.

Here you can add and edit whatever you like:
1. Background colour
2. Texts and lettering
3. Images, photos, stickers and shapes (you can upload them directly from your device or select from those already available).

Once you have finished your project, you can add it to your shopping cart and complete your order.

Can I upload my own photos? What features do they need to have?

Yes, you can upload images and photos directly from your device.

However, it is important that they have these characteristics:
- Accepted formats: jpg, jpeg, pgn, svg
- Recommended minimum DPI value: 300
- Maximum size: 128 MB

What quality will the printed image have?

When you upload an image, it will automatically be inserted into the project at the most appropriate size to ensure good print quality.

You will still be able to enlarge the image as you wish, but we cannot guarantee good print quality.

PLEASE NOTE:
- If the image is surrounded by a green border, the print quality will be good.
- If the image is surrounded by a red border, the print quality may not be optimal.

When you add a project that includes low quality images to your cart, a warning message will be displayed.

You can ignore it and proceed with the order anyway, or reduce the images until the border turns green again.

Does what I see on the screen correspond exactly to the product I will receive?

Brightness, contrast and screen colour settings can influence the way the custom board design appears on different devices.

It is therefore not possible to guarantee an exact match between the actual product and the image and colours of the product as they might be represented on the device used.

The colour codes selected during the design process are authoritative.

What does the 'Graphic Revision' include?

For each confirmed order, we will carry out a check before proceeding with the printing of the board.

We will check:
- correctness of texts (e.g. spelling or typing errors);
- centring and alignment of texts and images.

If we make any significant changes to your project, we will contact you back so that you can approve them.

It remains your responsibility to ensure that you do not use images that are of poor quality, blurred, too light or too dark, etc.

Are Made4You customised boards magnetic?

Yes, Made4You boards are made of ferritic steel like all other KalaMitica boards.

They are therefore ideal for sticking the magnetic containers and accessories in the range, as well as all other objects with magnets and fridge magnets.

We recommend attaching and detaching magnetic objects carefully, without dragging them, so as not to scratch or damage the surface of the board.

Are Made4You customised boards writable?

Yes, Made4You boards are coated with a layer of semi-gloss clear varnish to protect the printed images and make the board writable.

You can write with dry-erase whiteboard markers.

How can I clean a customised magnetic board?

To remove writings made with whiteboard markers, a felt eraser (or a soft cloth) is sufficient.

For deeper cleaning, or if the writings have been on the board for a long time, you may need to use a damp cloth or mild detergent.

Do not use abrasive sponges or sharp tools, so as not to damage the surface of the board.

How can I fix the board to the wall?

Inside the package, there is a mounting kit with screws, dowels and hole cover stickers.

The dowels provided are suitable for brick/concrete walls and solid wood surfaces.

Alternatively, the boards can be attached to the wall using extra-strong glues such as No More Nails or similar.

Please note: walls of different materials require different types of fixing accessories (not supplied).

If the wall is made of plasterboard, we recommend using suitable wall plugs (not supplied) or glue.

For sticking the board on ceramic tiles, such as for a kitchen backsplash or in a bathroom, we recommend extra-strong glues that can be removed, if necessary, without damaging the surfaces.

Once glued to the wall, we recommend securing the perimeter of the board with paper tape for at least 24 hours.

Are Made4You boards printed on both sides?

No, the board is printed only on the front.

The back of the board is not writable.

When will I receive my customised board?

For the production of customised boards with standard dimensions, it takes 15-20 working days.

Shipping is by courier service. Delivery usually takes 5-7 working days.

The available sizes do not work for me. Can I also customise the board size?

Yes, it is possible to order a Made4You board with customised dimensions.

In this case, however, you cannot use the online configurator directly.

Can I return a Made4You customised board if the end result is not to my liking?

The right of withdrawal, which normally allows withdrawal within 14 days of receipt of the products without giving any reason or incurring any cost, does not apply to the supply of goods made to the consumer's specifications or clearly personalised.

Products ordered through KalaMitica's Made4You service are clearly customised by the Customer and therefore it is NOT possible to exercise the right of withdrawal.

The possibility of replacement/refund of the purchased product will only be offered in the event of a manufacturing error attributable to us.

I have received a damaged board. Can I return it?

We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Please contact us and send us some photos of the board and the box (don't throw it away immediately: in some cases it might be useful to keep it).

We will look for the best solution together.

AIR PLANTS (TILLANDSIA) & SUCCULENTS

Are the plants included in the pots?

In the section “KalaMitica's plants” you will find plants that can be purchased both individually and in combination with some of our magnetic containers.
We have also thought of some gift ideas including our 3.5 cm cube with Tillandsia.

Why don't you sell other types of plants?

At the moment, we only sell Tillandsia and small succulents. The former have the advantage of living without soil, so we can ensure that they arrive perfect at their destination, without being spoilt or damaged. Succulents, on the other hand, are more resistant and lasting than a normal plant, so they can resist even several days without being watered.

I live in Switzerland/United Kingdom or another non-EU country. Can I buy succulents?

Unfortunately, we cannot ship succulents to countries outside the European Union.
For the import of succulent plants into non-EU countries, a phytosanitary certificate is required, which must be requested from the relevant authorities.
This would result in an excessive delay in the shipment of your order.
Therefore, please do not buy succulents if your order is going to Switzerland, the United Kingdom or another non-EU country.
Otherwise, we will contact you to proceed with a refund or an exchange of the plants for other products of equal value.

I live in Switzerland/United Kingdom or another non-EU country. Can I buy Air Plants?

Of all non-EU countries, Air Plants can only be shipped to Switzerland.
For the import of Air Plants into non-EU countries (except Switzerland), a phytosanitary certificate is required, which must be requested from the relevant authorities.
This would result in an excessive delay in the shipment of your order.
Therefore, please do not buy Air Plants if your order is going to the United Kingdom or another non-EU country (except Switzerland).
Otherwise, we will contact you to proceed with a refund or an exchange of the plants for other products of equal value.

ORDER AND PAYMENT

How do I place an order?

Buying on KalaMitica is fast and simple. You can create an account to have access to exclusive areas and services dedicated to our customers.

Search articles
You can freely consult our catalogue by selecting the category of your interest from the navigation menu; to make your search more precise, use the filters or the internal search of the site.

Products information
In each product datasheet you can see all the information related to the article (description, material, size) and, by clicking on the image of the product, enlarge it to see it in detail.

How to buy
To buy a product on Kalamitica.com:

From the product page, select the characteristics from the available combinations
Add product to cart.
If you decide to continue shopping, you can view the contents of your cart at any time by clicking on the icon at the top right of the screen.
Click on the cart icon and decide when to proceed with the order.
If you are a registered user, you can login, otherwise you can create an account.
Select the desired shipping and payment methods.
Enter the payment information.
Check that the information you entered is correct and click on "Buy".

Within a few moments, a thank you message in the middle of the page will inform you that the order has been placed correctly. Finally, you will receive a confirmation email with your order details.

How can I pay?

You can make the payment safely, through the main credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa and American Express. You can also use your Pay Pal account or pay by bank transfer.

Why is the payment secure?

Kalamitica.com uses the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol to protect your sensitive data, such as your credit card number. During the process of transmitting this data, a padlock or similar symbol will appear on your browser indicating that the secure protocol is active.

SHIPPING AND RETURNS

Can I indicate a different billing address than the shipping address?

Yes, during the purchase process you can enter an additional billing address, different from the shipping address.

Where is my package?

Once you have placed your order, you will receive an email with the tracking code of the courier and a link to enter it. Here you can see, step by step, where your package is.

How do I return an item?

Log in to your account and visit the 'Order History and Details' section.
Select the order and the item(s) you wish to return.
Fill in the return form and wait for our instructions: we will get back to you as soon as possible.
We would like to remind you that, as specified in our Terms and Conditions, shipping costs for returns are the responsibility of the Customer.

My item is wrong or defective; what do I do?

We are sorry for the inconvenience: visit the 'Order History and Details' section of your account and follow the procedure, we will contact you within one business day to solve the problem

DATA

How do you use my data?

Everything is explained in our privacy policy.

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