FAQ

Q1: What is Wuhu iron painting? How is it different from ordinary ironwork?

Wuhu iron painting is a traditional Chinese art form from Wuhu, Anhui. Craftsmen heat and hand-forge low-carbon iron into fine lines and shapes, then assemble them on a flat panel to create scenes of plum blossoms, landscapes, birds and more. It sits between painting and sculpture – black iron lines act like ink brushstrokes, while the raised relief creates rich light and shadow.

Compared with general ironwork or wrought-iron décor:

  • Different purpose – Wuhu iron painting is first and foremost wall art with a complete picture and story. Ordinary ironwork is usually functional or structural, such as railings, shelves or simple decorative frames.

  • Different technique – each Wuhu iron painting is fully hand-forged and composed like a Chinese ink painting, with controlled line thickness and “blank space”. Mass-produced iron décor is often bent or welded from standard parts, sometimes using molds and machines.

  • Different aesthetic – Wuhu iron painting follows traditional Chinese aesthetics (plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, landscapes, calligraphy), while common ironwork tends to focus on simple patterns or Western-style scrolls.

Because of this, every Wuhu iron painting is a unique, collectible artwork rather than a generic iron craft.


Q2. How long will it take to receive my order?

There are two parts to the timeline:

  • Production time

    • Ready-made pieces: usually ship within 3 business days after payment.

    • Custom pieces: generally require 5–14 business days to design and forge, depending on complexity.

  • International shipping time (after the piece is finished)

    • Europe & North America: about 5–7 business days.

    • Other regions: about 5–14 business days.

You can track your parcel at any time using the international tracking number we provide.


Q3. Is the price on the website the final price? Will I pay extra taxes or duties?
In most cases, the price you see on the product page is the final price you pay, including international shipping, packaging and (where applicable) taxes.

If your local customs office charges any additional import fees, they are the responsibility of the buyer. If this happens, please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.


Q4. Can I cancel or change my order?

  • Standard (non-custom) pieces: You may request changes or cancellation before the order is shipped.

  • Custom pieces: Once we have started design or production, we usually cannot cancel the order.

Please email us as soon as possible if you need to make changes.


Q5. What is your return and exchange policy?

  • Damaged on arrival
    If your iron painting arrives damaged, we will refund or replace it, whether it is a custom piece or a standard design.
    Please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos or an unboxing video so we can help you quickly.

  • Change of mind

    • Custom pieces: because each work is made specifically for you, we cannot accept returns or exchanges for reason of change of mind.

    • Non-custom pieces: you may return or exchange within 15 days of receipt. Return shipping costs are borne by the buyer.


6. How does customization work and how long does it take?
Customization time depends on your ideas and the complexity of the design. In general:

  1. Share your idea, size and any reference images with us.

  2. We confirm feasibility, quote and estimated timeline.

  3. After you approve the sketch, we start forging your iron painting.

For typical timeframes and examples, please see our Customization page.


7. Do you offer wholesale discounts or have a minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Yes. For wholesale and trade orders:

  • Small iron paintings (length under 30 cm / 12 in): MOQ 10 pcs

  • Medium iron paintings (50–70 cm / 20–28 in): MOQ 4 pcs

  • Large iron paintings (over 100 cm / 39 in): MOQ 2 pcs

For wholesale pricing, branding options or larger projects, please contact us at [your email].


8. How can I get discounts?
Follow our official social media accounts and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on new arrivals, seasonal promotions and exclusive discount codes.


9. How do I care for my iron painting?
Each piece is treated with an anti-rust coating and can remain rust-free for 20+ years in a normal indoor environment.

To care for your artwork:

  • Display it indoors and avoid long-term exposure to seawater or corrosive liquids.

  • Avoid placing it in constantly damp or very humid environments.

  • Dust with a soft dry cloth; do not use abrasive cleaners or strong chemicals.


10. Is it safe? How should I handle and hang it?
Some edges of the iron painting can be sharp. Please handle with care to avoid cuts and keep the artwork out of reach of children and pets.
The surface is coated with anti-rust paint, so do not lick or put the artwork in your mouth.

When hanging, use suitable wall hooks or anchors according to your wall type, and make sure the mounting hardware can support the weight of the piece.

Wuhu Iron Painting Association

Iron Canvas is the international showcase of the Wuhu Iron Painting Association, based in Wuhu, Anhui, China.
The Wuhu Iron Painting Association brings together the most outstanding iron painters in China. Many of their excellent works have been collected in venues such as the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and the Wuhu Municipal Museum.

Explore Our Master Team

Chuansong Tang

Provincial-level inheritor of Anhui’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (Wuhu iron painting forging technique). This craft was included in the first group of national-level intangible cultural heritage items in 2006.

He entered the Wuhu Arts and Crafts Factory as an apprentice at the age of 15 and now serves as Technical Director, leading improvements to iron-painting production processes, such as introducing spot welding to replace traditional charcoal furnaces in certain steps.

Representative works include the iron painting Welcoming Pine created for the Great Hall of the People (in collaboration) and the iron painting Long March Poem selected for display in the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall.

Jiakang Zhang

Named one of the first Anhui Arts and Crafts Masters in 2020 and recognized as a representative inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage project “Wuhu iron painting forging technique.”

His representative works include the openwork iron painting Iron and Danqing and an 11-metre-long iron painting scroll Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains, which was donated to the Wuhu Museum in 2023.

He Ye

An Anhui Arts and Crafts Master known for his iron painting creations, his works have been presented as national gifts to the International Olympic Committee. He is committed to innovating within the tradition of Wuhu iron painting.

He pioneered coloured iron painting with the work 一路连科 (“Continuous Success”), using aerodynamic studies of bird feather structure to capture the precise dynamics of wings in motion.

He also developed an iron painting series of the Asian Games mascot “Panpan”, introducing the panda cartoon image into the medium of iron painting.