Fine Art Printmaking
We provide large format giclée printing using the latest generation Epson Stylus Pro 9900 with UltraChrome HDR archival inks. The Epson 9900 is capable of producing prints on a variety of substrates, including various fine art papers and canvas, at sizes up to 44" wide, and an unlimited length. We also offer a wide variety of papers and substrates to choose from, making your fine art printing experience much more interesting and exciting. |
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Art Scanning
The digital capture of your art is the most important step in the process of fine art reproduction. Your print can only be as good as the scan, so every great print begins with a great scan. Therefore whenever possible we prefer to scan the original artwork in our studio with our Betterlight digital scanning system. Our Better Light high-resolution 4x5 digital scanning back camera is considered by museums to be the finest technology available for capturing fine art masterpieces. The Better Light scanning back can digitally capture the subtlest details without the extra step of shooting and processing film. Artwork in sizes of up to 5'x7' are mounted in our copy system, expertly lit, and scanned directly without touching the surface of the artwork. For oil paintings and large acrylic paintings with high gloss, we use a special polarizing system to ensure that color is accurately captured without glare. |
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Framed Work: Our Better Light scanning back camera system allows us to accurately capture artwork that is framed without the need to remove the art from the frame, thereby ensuring the art isn't excessively handled or damaged during the scanning process. For work that is framed behind glass, we can shoot through the glass in many cases, but it is not our preference. It's best to un-frame the art in order to remove the glass, but the art can be left matted. But there is no need to handle the artwork directly or lay it down on a glass bed (as would be the case with a flatbed scanner), making this the best method for delicate drawings like pastels and charcoal.
Cost: Our Better Light scanning system is also cost effective. You can have a piece of artwork scanned and digitized for the same cost or less than a photography studio would charge for a film transparency, and there is no extra step involved in digitization. Not only that, but once you have a digital copy of your artwork on CD or DVD, you can rest assured that it will remain preserved without the risk of damage that film can incur over the years.
Film Scanning
For film and slide scanning we use an Epson 4870 Photo scanner. We have found this to produce good quality scans in most cases, and is very cost effective, providing a good balance of quality and affordability. For more demanding film scanning we use a drum scanner.
Proofing
Proofing is the process of preparing an image for print, removing any digital imperfections in the digitized image, and matching the print output with the original piece of art. We offer two types of proofing depending on the needs of the client:
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Screen Match Proofing: This is the most affordable, and makes sense when exact color matching to the original isn't critical, or when the original isn't available (such as when working directly from a digital file uploaded by the client). In this case we color balance the image using our Sony Artisan monitor under controlled lighting conditions to get a great match to the original, and then produce a proof print to accurately show how the final image will look when printed full size. |
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Print Match Proofing: For the discerning client who insists on exact color matching, print match proofing is the correct choice. After screen match proofing, we produce a test print on the same substrate that will be used for the final fine art print. The print is then compared to the original piece of artwork under controlled lighting conditions, and additional adjustments are made until the client is satisfied with the result. Once a final proof is approved and signed by the artist, we will create the final giclee prints. |
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Graphic Editing
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Editing is the process of altering the digital file so the final giclée print matches the original. In some cases the artist will want us to correct an imperfection in the original piece of art, remove mistakes, or remove signatures from the original artwork. We have the expertise to handle the most demanding digital editing needs. While basic editing services are included in the proofing process, we charge extra for advanced digital editing. All digital adjustments are made to a separate file so the artist will always have the original, unmodified digital work for posterity. |
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Examples of editing include:
- Signature removal from original art
- Removing stains or cracks from original
- Cloning edges for gallery finishing on canvas prints
- Removing scratches and imperfections from old film
- Removing mistakes from original at artist's request
- Enhancing or correcting color from the original
- Collage work, and other Photoshop digital editing
- Colorspace adjustment (AdobeRGB, ProPhoto, CYMK, Ektachrome, etc.)
Finishing Services
Canvas Framing Options
Canvas Stretching: We can stretch your giclée canvas print to the size and dimensions you specify. We have a full range of canvas stretcher bars in stock. Please see our pricing page for more details. Our frames are custom milled and cut, allowing us to make your print any size you want. We are not restricted to standard frame sizes.
Gallery Profile: Otherwise known as frameless gallery installations, gallery wrap, or museum wrap. This is also shown above in editing services. For gallery profile or museum wrap stretching we clone the painting out 1" (one inch) for standard gallery wrap, and 2" (2 inches) for museum wrap on all sides, so when stretched over the canvas it appears to be painted around the edges of the frame. For photography the image is simply printed at the size specified + margins, so photographers need to prepare their images accordingly.
UV Coatings
Protective UV Coating: Your artwork can be coated using several types of coating. We offer Clearshield Gloss, Glamour II gloss, and Ultracoat gloss finishing for added UV protection and longevity. The UV Coatings, both matte and gloss are generally only used for canvas. In fact, we highly recommend that most canvas prints be UV coated for protection, longevity, and to bring out the colors.
For watercolor paper prints and photo prints we use Hahnemuhle protective spray when requested.
Deckled Edges
Deckled Edges: A deckle edge can add a nice finishing touch to your artwork. We use a special technique to hand tear the edges of your print to match the look and character of mould-made rag paper.
Certificate of Authenticity
Certificate of Authenticity (COA): A certificate of authenticity on the back of the work can ensure potential buyers that a limited edition print run is indeed limited. It states the number printed by the printer to date, when it was produced, as well as information about the artist and the original art scan. Open edtion prints can still benefit from a COA that states when the work was reproduced and a guarantee of high-quality archival inks, papers and canvas.
When an artist asks us to do a limited edition including the COA, then we keep track of the number of prints, as well as the date printed, and will stop printing that image when we have reached the end of the edition.
Graphic Arts Services
We can provide graphic arts services to artists and corporate clients who need graphic artwork, photoshop editing, adobe illustrator work, Flash animation, etc. The charge for graphic arts services is $75 per hour and is all inclusive of studio costs. We are MAC and PC compatible.
We have printing and scanning services for artist and photographers. We specialize in reproducing Watercolor, watercolor painting, oil paintings, charcoal paintings, pastel, chalk, pen & ink, and other hard to reproduce artworks. We work for artists who present their work at art fairs, art shows, art galleries, galleries, art exhibitions, and more, for nude art, figure drawing, figure painting, acrylic paintings, acrylic, pigment inks, giclee, fine art prints, giclee prints, photographers, photography, photo lab, inkjet, digital printing, artwork, artists. Art scanning is our specialty. Fine art reproduction is our specialty. We do museum quality scanning, art scanning, preservation, restoration for art collectors and museums.
