Orders & Production

1. How long does my order take?

All our products are made to order, if your chosen item is not currently in stock, please allow up to 5 working days for us to create your order before it is dispatched.

For custom orders, timeframes will be discussed with you before we begin your order.

2. Are your products handmade?

Handcrafted in small batches in an artisan studio in Pretoria where each item is unique. Sunbird Stories products are proudly South African.

3. Will my board look exactly like the photos?

Due to the handmade nature of resin and natural timber grain, each piece will vary slightly, making every board one-of-a-kind.

4. Do you make custom orders?

Please get in touch with us, we are happy to assist with custom order requests depending on availability and design requirements.

Resin & Timber queries

1. Is the resin food safe?

Yes, the resin is non-toxic and food-safe once fully cured and is suitable for serving. Our boards are also sealed with a natural wood butter to nourish the wood.

2. Can I cut directly on the board?

Yes, our boards are designed with a 2-in-1 use. The timber side can be used for general cutting and food preparation, while the resin side is intended for serving and display only and should not be cut on.

To help protect your board and extend its lifespan, we recommend using the timber side as your chopping surface and the resin side for beautifully presenting your favourite foods.

3. How do I care for my board?

Each product comes with care instructions to help you maintain its quality and appearance.

Everyday Care
• Wipe clean with a soft damp cloth and mild soap
• Do not soak or place in the dishwasher
• Dry immediately after washing
• When using the wood side for chopping, place a tea towel or dish cloth underneath as a protective layer between the board and your countertop

Resin
• Designed for serving and display
• Avoid cutting directly on the resin surface
• Avoid placing extremely hot items directly onto the resin
• When serving oily or richly dressed foods, place a small piece of wax paper beneath to help protect the surface

Wood
• Apply a food-safe wood butter or mineral oil regularly to nourish and protect the wood
• Re-apply when the wood begins to look dry
• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight

For full care instructions, visit our Product care guide.

4. Will the resin yellow over time?

We use high-quality UV-resistant resin, however prolonged direct sunlight without general care of your board may naturally affect appearance over time.

5. How do I clean and maintain resin products?

To clean resin products, simply wipe them down with a soft, damp cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.

6. Are your resin products heat-resistant?

Our resin products are durable and suitable for everyday serving, but they are not designed to withstand high temperatures. Please avoid placing hot pots, pans, oven dishes, or food straight from the stove or oven directly onto the resin surface, as this may cause damage.

Parchment paper is not a heat barrier. For hot items, always use a trivet, hot pad, or coaster to protect the surface.

The timber side can be used for serving warm foods, but the same precaution applies for anything placed directly from the stove or oven.

Engraving

1. Do you offer engraving?

Yes, we offer personalization. Add a name, date, or meaningful message with optional laser engraving — perfect for weddings, housewarmings, birthdays, and special celebrations.

Please ensure spelling and punctuation are correct when placing your order, as engraving will be completed exactly as provided.

We have a detailed engraving guide to help you through the process, if there are any further queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

2. How much does engraving cost?

This optional add on is R99 per board / per coaster set.

3. Where is engraving placed?

Your engraving will be placed subtly in the corner of the board, allowing the natural beauty of the wood and resin to remain the hero. 

4. Is there a limit to my engraving length?

To ensure your engraving remains clear and beautifully balanced, we recommend keeping your wording within the following character limits:

Serving Boards
• Main text (Line 1): up to 50 characters
• Subtext (Line 2): up to 150 characters

Coasters
• Main text (Line 1): up to 40 characters
• Subtext (Line 2): up to 80 characters

If your chosen wording is longer than these guidelines, please get in touch before placing your order. We’ll do our best to assist and find a layout that works beautifully for your piece.

5. Can engraved items be returned?

Unfortunately custom items are non-returnable unless faulty.

6. Can you engrave logos or custom artworks?

Yes, we can engrave custom designs, including logos and artwork. Feel free to contact us with your design file and we’ll work with you to create something special.

Artwork format will need to be a high-resolution PNG file with a transparent background or a PDF file. These formats allow us to prepare your design correctly for engraving and achieve the best possible result. We’ll review your artwork and confirm suitability before proceeding.

Custom designs may require additional preparation before engraving and will be quoted separately based on the complexity of your design.

Shipping & Returns

1. Where do you ship?

We ship nationwide across South Africa using The Courier Guy, a trusted door-to-door courier service, from our studio in Pretoria.

Delivery typically takes 2–5 business days, depending on your location.

For more details on shipping options, delivery timeframes, and costs, please read our full Shipping Policy here.

2. How much is shipping?

Depending on the size of your order, our standard flat rate through The Courier Guy is R135. If your order is over R1500 you will qualify for free shipping.

3. Do you offer local collection?

Unfortunately not at this stage.

4. Can I visit a physical store or showroom?

We currently operate online only.

5. What if my item arrives damaged?

We take great care in packaging your order, but if your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 14 days of delivery with your order details and photos of the damage.

We’ll review the issue and guide you through the next steps. For full details, please visit our Returns & Exchanges policy.

6. What is your return policy?

We offer a 14-day return policy on eligible items.

New, unused, and non-personalised items may be returned within 14 days of delivery. Please note that personalised items, used items, or items damaged due to incorrect care or handling are not eligible for return.

For the full return process and requirements, please read our Returns & Exchanges policy

7. Do you offer international shipping?

Currently, we only ship within South Africa.

If you would like to arrange your own international courier collection from our Pretoria studio, please get in touch and we’ll gladly assist where possible.

Gifting & Entertaining

1. Are your products suitable as gifts?

Absolutely! This is the perfect gift to spoil yourself, celebrate a friends housewarming, wedding, birthday you name it. Our personalized engraving option also makes this a really special gift for someone.

2. Do you offer gift notes or packaging?

Yes, we offer a complimentary gift note that can be added to your order upon request. If you would like to include a personal message, please let us know when placing your order and we’ll be happy to add it for you.

Each order is carefully packaged with a beautiful ribbon and includes your care instructions. No pricing or invoices are included in your gift package.

Still have a question? We’d love to help.
Contact us via our Contact page or email us at hello@sunbirdstories.co.za and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.