FAQ
Use
What is the best way to line my plates?
Preparing your plates is easy! Our preformed liners drop into the plates easily, and for our flat liners simply center a P&P parchment paper liner on the top edge of your plate and place another plate on top to help form a crease in the liner. Continue until all plates are lined and you will have a stack of plates ready to go.
Do I have to use a liner with my plates?
Yes, and sometimes you may even want to use two! Your P&P plates must always be used with a liner, plus it’s a fun way to add color and change up your table setting. One liner is sufficient for most foods, but you can stack two liners for added protection and strength if serving a meal with a lot of liquid. Try layering two different patterns together for a fun and different look!
Some foods, especially those that are very hot or acidic, can cause corrosion, etching, or staining on galvanized metal so please do not serve food directly on them. Likewise, the seagrass plates will be damaged if food is placed directly on them so don’t forget the liner!
Products & Materials Information
What size are the plates and parchment paper liners?
Seagrass plates: 12” x 12” x 2” high approximately (slight variations because they are handmade)
Metal plates: 12” x 12” x 1 5/8” high
White Metal plates: 12" x 12" x 1 5/8" high
Flat Liners: 11 ¾” x 11 ¾” circle with a scalloped edge
Preformed Liners: 9" base, 1" side, ruffled edge
What are your liners made of?
Our liners are made of 100% genuine vegetable parchment paper printed with food grade dye. For more information, check out the “About Our Products” page. Any paper products containing grease or food residue cannot be recycled, but you can definitely compost your used liners, and Mother Earth will love you for it!
Why is a wood board sold with the woven seagrass plates but not with the metal and white metal plates?
Nobody wants to eat on an uneven surface. The circular board covering the bottom of each seagrass plate is made of eco-friendly wood fiber and provides a more stable eating surface. The bottom surface of the metal and white metal plates is already hard and flat so a wood board is not needed.
One of my woven seagrass plates has a piece of seagrass that came undone and is sticking out. What should I do?
This happens sometimes because the plates are handwoven. Each piece of seagrass is tied to the next strand and the ends are woven down into the plate. If you see a loose end, tuck it down into the next layer or wrap it around a nearby grass rope to secure and you’ll be good to go!
What are your plates and liners made of?
See our “About our products” page for detailed information about each product we sell.
Care & Cleaning
What is the best way to clean and store my plates?
Well-intentioned guests will clear the table and stack your plates with food still on them – it happens! To remove food spills, clean your plates with a soft, damp cloth using cool water, but be sure to dry them completely before stacking and storing them in a dry, dark place. Do not stack them when wet or metal plates could rust and grass plates could mildew and nobody wants that!
Can I wash my plates in the dishwasher?
No, your plates could be ruined by cleaning them in the dishwasher and hot water can discolor galvanized metal. The best way to clean them is with a soft, damp cloth, then dry completely before storing in a dry, dark place so the material doesn’t fade.
What should I do about moisture marks on the wood bottom board of my seagrass plates?
You may notice moisture marks on the boards when you remove the parchment paper liner after use, and most will disappear after a few minutes. Any food spills that cannot be removed will be covered by the parchment liner when in use. If it’s really bothering you, the board can also be turned upside down. Looking to replace your wood boards or one of them was accidentally thrown away? We sell replacement boards on our website!
We served really hot food on our galvanized metal plates and noticed white marks when we removed the liners. Is this bad for the plates and what can we do about them?
This is a typical problem with galvanized coatings and you need not worry about the integrity of the plate. Some people want their plates to look used and rustic and welcome these marks since they are covered with a paper liner. However, if you are not one of these people and want your plates to look good as new just spray a little bit of oven cleaner on the mark, use a wet paper towel and cool water to wipe it off. The marks come off easily.
Orders
Can I order plates individually or do I have to order them in sets of 4?At this time plates are only sold in sets of 4. If you want to order huge quantities, contact us and let’s talk!
Can I use more than one coupon/discount code?
We love stacking up the good deals too, but sorry, you can only use one discount code or promotion per order.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Unfortunately at this time we do not offer gift certificates. We are working on this and hope to offer them in the near future. Plates and liners make great gifts (hostess, birthday, housewarming, holiday, teachers... we could go on and on!) so if your recipient wishes to exchange them for a different style or pattern, we are happy to accommodate them. Another added benefit of gifting: you can share your plate sets and host even larger events!
Do you offer gift wrapping and cards?
We do not offer gift wrapping as we do our best to minimize use of non-compostable papers and ribbons. However, our packing slip does not contain pricing information, and we are happy to include a gift card. Please include your message in the notes section during checkout.
Why was I charged tax?
We wish we didn’t have to, but unfortunately we do not have control over the taxes that are charged - they are added in automatically and are subject to tax laws that are frequently updated.
How long does it take for you to process my order?
We are working day and night to help you “serve with style and ease” so you can expect your order to ship or be ready for pickup within 2-3 business days, often even sooner!
I live in the SF Bay Area close to your headquarters. Can I pick my order up from you to save on shipping?
Definitely! If you select "LOCAL PICKUP" under shipping options, we will send you a confirmation that your order has been received and you will get another notification when your order is ready for pickup with instructions included.
Shipping
Do you offer free shipping and returns?
Maybe some day, but at this time we do not offer free shipping and returns. However, we do have free shipping promotions at various times during the year so keep an eye on our social media for free shipping alerts and other promotions!
Returns/Exchanges
What is your return/exchange policy?
We care about our customers and want you to be happy! If you wish to return or exchange an item, please mail your purchase back within 14 days of receipt and we will credit you in the form of original payment. We only accept returns that are unused and in new condition in the original packaging. Please understand that we reserve the right to refuse a refund request if a return does not comply with our policy. Final sale items are not eligible for return.
My item(s) arrived damaged. What should I do?
Please send a picture(s) of the damage to info@plateandpattern.com within 7 calendar days of receiving the package and we will contact you about replacement.