Photo cubes are made of new douglas fir boards. They are made from scratch here in our Oregon workshop and we do all the snading and planing ourselves. The result is a solid wood product that feels and looks different from any plastic or other material you can buy. The edges feel like genuine wood with small dings, dents and scratches, a little rough but real in a good way. Our best-selling cubes are new on amazon but have been online for a couple of years and people are loving them! One cube has 6 images and/or text and is printed directly to the wood. No paper image stuck on. The ink is high-quality and very durable but don't leave your block outside in the rain. It is meant to be enjoyed indoors. The matte finish and vibrant colors are beautiful to look at and each cube is a versatile piece of art.