The fine art of fine art printing

The Art and Science of Fine Art Printing

Fine art printing is one of my favorite aspects of this business.

Printing is a nuanced science. By this, I mean that while printing can be defined in technical terms, it is the final perception by the viewer that defines the print's impact.

But it isn't rocket science, and it isn't brain surgery.

The first thing a fine art print shop needs to accomplish is having all of the devices interpret color the same way. This is achieved through closed loop calibration, which normalizes the environment. Outside the loop, colors might shift unless the device outside the loop is given the same calibration specifications. Color calibration requires regular re-calibration due to temperature and humidity changes.

That solves the issue of repeatability. The next step is accuracy.

Accuracy requires understanding the personality of the devices and the media. Every media has unique characteristics. We create about 1,200 color patches for each media we use. These patches are read back into the computer with a photospectrometer (a device that reads color) and a compensation file is created based on the expected versus the actual color values. This color profile is used by the printer to compensate for any color shifts.

However, there is an infinite number of color frequencies between each of the 1,200 patches, and this is where the media personalities come into play. Does the media like blue frequencies? How well does it contrast? How bright is the base material? Stuff like that.

Fine art printing can be somewhat iterative, but it isn't 'black magic'. I smile every time I hear a printer try to make the process sound so mysterious.

So anyway, lots of variables, and each project is unique.

Good times, and Save the Chief.