Sustainability

Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Viperys, we build things to last a lifetime — and that starts with how we source, treat and finish every piece of wood that leaves our studio. Sustainability isn't a marketing slogan for us. It's how a two-person family studio can honestly compete with mass production: by choosing better materials, wasting less, and building pieces that don't need to be replaced.

Why This Matters

Most wall art you can buy online has a short life. Printed posters, canvas prints, painted plywood — they fade, warp, tear, or simply go out of style. Within a few years, they end up in landfill.

A Viperys map is different. We use solid wood, real epoxy resin, and traditional hand-finishing techniques. When our maps end up on a wall, they stay there for decades — because they're built like real furniture, not disposable decor.

Wood Sourcing

Local Polish sawmills

All the wood we use is sourced from local Polish sawmills — never imported from tropical rainforests, never mystery-source particle board. Poland has a strong tradition of managed forestry, and we work with small mills that supply solid pine, poplar and other timber from responsibly managed forests.

Solid wood, not particle board

Our frames are made from solid Scandinavian pine. Not MDF, not particle board, not veneered chipboard. Solid wood breathes, ages naturally, and can be repaired and refinished over generations. Particle board is glued together with resins that off-gas over years — and once damaged, it can't be repaired.

Premium poplar plywood

The laser-cut layers of our maps are made from premium poplar plywood — a fast-growing, sustainable hardwood that provides the crisp precision needed for laser cutting while keeping the material footprint low. Poplar is one of the most sustainable timber species in Europe.

Waste Reduction

Reclaimed and offcut materials

Wherever we can, we use reclaimed wood and offcuts — pieces that would otherwise be discarded by other workshops or sawmills. Small pieces perfect for small frames, offcuts perfect for prototype work. What others see as waste, we see as material with character.

Made to order, not to stock

Every Viperys map is made to order. We don't produce inventory that might not sell. We don't overproduce. If you don't order it, we don't cut it. This is one of the simplest and most effective sustainability practices in manufacturing — and it's built into our entire business model.

Small studio, small footprint

Viperys is a two-person family studio, not a factory. We produce at a scale where every piece of wood, every drop of resin, and every hour of work is accounted for. No production lines, no global supply chain, no shipping half-finished parts across continents.

Finishes and Chemicals

Wax finishes, not polyurethane

Every frame is hand-waxed — we use wax finishes rather than modern polyurethane or acrylic sprays. Wax penetrates the wood grain, protecting it naturally, and it can be refreshed over time. Polyurethane creates a plastic film that eventually peels, cracks, and is impossible to repair without stripping the whole piece.

Water-based dyes where possible

For colored finishes, we prefer water-based wood dyes where they give the tone we want. When we do use solvent-based products, we choose furniture-grade products with proven track records, minimize the amount used, and ensure proper ventilation and safe disposal.

Real epoxy resin — the durable choice

Yes, epoxy resin is a modern chemical. But it's also the reason our maps last for decades. A well-cured epoxy resin surface is stable, non-toxic once cured, and stays clear and glossy for generations. The alternative — flat printed water or thin acrylic panels — would need replacing within years. In the long term, one long-lasting piece is more sustainable than many short-lived ones.

Shipping and Packaging

Efficient packaging

Every map is packaged with corner cushions and a rigid outer box designed to protect during shipping without excess material. We're constantly refining our packaging to reduce plastic and use more recycled and recyclable materials.

Ship-in-original-box philosophy

Our packaging is designed to be kept. If you move house, you can reuse the same box to safely transport your map. If you eventually pass the map on, the packaging goes with it.

FedEx Express consolidation

We ship worldwide via FedEx Express — an established carrier with an increasingly efficient logistics network. FedEx has committed to carbon-neutral operations by 2040 and consolidates shipments to reduce per-package emissions.

Repair, Refresh, Reuse

Lifetime craftsmanship guarantee

If anything fails on a Viperys map due to craftsmanship, we repair, refresh, or replace it — for the lifetime of the map, not just a warranty period. This is the strongest sustainability commitment we can make: your map should never end up in landfill because we're always here to fix it.

Refreshable wax finishes

Wax finishes age gracefully and can be renewed. As the frame ages, a fresh coat of wax restores the original tone and depth. We can send you the exact wax we used if you ever need a refresh.

Passing it on

A Viperys map is designed to be given, kept, and passed down. It's furniture-grade. If you no longer want it, it holds value — pass it to family, friends, or sell it on. Nothing is disposable.

What We're Working On

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Right now we're working on:

• Increasing the share of reclaimed and offcut wood in our production
• Sourcing water-based finishes for more of our color range
• Fully plastic-free packaging (currently we use minimal plastic for corner protection)
• Local delivery partnerships in Poland to reduce short-distance shipping emissions

We'll keep updating this page as we improve.

What You Can Do

Buying a lifetime piece is already the single biggest sustainability choice you can make with wall art. Beyond that:

• Hang it in the right place — away from humidity and direct sun — so it lasts as designed
• Care for it gently — see our Care Instructions
• Contact us before replacing it — most damage can be repaired
• Pass it on when it's time — a Viperys map is furniture that gets more character with age

Questions?

If you have questions about our materials, sourcing, or sustainability practices, email us anytime. We're a small family studio — the person answering is the person who made your map.

Made in Poland. Free FedEx Express worldwide. Lifetime craftsmanship guarantee. 8,000+ maps in homes across 40+ countries.