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How to Print your work :)
Step by Step Process for PRINTING YOUR ART
I sell my prints on SMUGMUG - you can sign up here :)
Fair warning, these are all SUGGESTIONS, and in the end you need to perform your OWN research. This is what has worked with me in the past and what I’ll continue to do. Please, think outside of the box, go above and beyond, do that thing that someone told you doesn’t work. Try EVERYTHING!
Software: I typically love to use Photoshop specifically or Lightroom for printing. Others use CaptureOne etc.
Hardware: A proper monitor that is color corrected and properly calibrated. Look into getting an IPS monitor (In plane switching monitor) is a good idea. They provide the best colour rendition and deepest blacks and wide viewing angles. All necessary when dealing with larger print files. An IMAC is great, a LAPTOP is not - although people do use them. I typically wait to edit my photos on my IMAC because the colours are proper & calibrated to my liking. Amazon Affiliate Link (Spider Calibration Tool)
Step 1: Define what you want out of printing your art. This could mean do you want to sell, or you want it to be printed for yourself? Either way, no problem. Do you want your art to be in a fine art gallery? Museums? In local shops? Once defined this will help you with what paper, what medium, or what sizes to print.
Step 2: Image optimization process, This goes from Colour fringing, all the way to resizing your images for print. You’re going to want to be zoomed in 100% and looking at your image UP CLOSE for small imperfections. Choosing how you EXPORT is extremely important, you’ll want to save as much detail as possible. I suggest exporting in a .TIFF format - or whatever format your printer accepts. 400 DPI and preserving as much quality as possible. Fringing Click Here
When a print is viewed close up you should clearly see the image, be it sharp detail or soft tonal gradation, not the pixels. Enlarging, when enlarging you want to do it in increments and make sure you don’t lose too much quality as you’re growing the sizes. Luminance and Colour Noise. Noise can be a killer when it comes to printing. This is super important. Noise Video
Step 3: Paper choices & Mediums.. Cheapest is Card Stock - this is a great option if you’re looking for a budget paper and print. There are so many different types of papers, Custer, satin, pearl or semi-gloss. These are all great options when you don’t want the have the printing medium compete with the image itself. Minimal reflective qualities so it doesn’t affect your images. Typically Metal/Aluminium is the highest quality/most expensive printing option. Choosing a paper
Step 4: Target Audience - This is super important to feel out who is coming into the places where your art is. Is it in a museum? Then you’ll want fine art. Is it going to be in a coffee shop? Then you’ll want your prints to be more affordable and smaller.
Step 5: Getting your work out there… Walk around your home town - find places with empty walls - offer your services of putting up ART in their space for sale, in return for simply having art in their space! No need to offer a commission yet - but a lot of places will want this. HOW TO LAND BIG BRAND DEALS (CLICK HERE)
Step 6: Hanging & Lighting. Lighting and proper hanging hardware etc are very important. Especially where your print is going to be in terms of natural light. Don’t go to a show expecting them to light your work. Always ask beforehand to see if they're supplying light. If not, do your pre meditated work and figure out what you’ll need to make sure your work stands out from the rest. Lighting
Paper that Peter Lik Uses: Fujiflex Crystal Archival paper
Useful Links:
Image Editing Process & Service (I’ve used him before)
Free Print Initiative
In terms of the FREE PRINT Initiative - you’ll need to find a local printer where you can get your prints for cheap. This is a must, I used Cardstock paper, which is one of the cheaper papers, all images were sized at 8x12 MAX or 8x10. This way the prices stay low, and the customer is surprised when they see the size of print (I had many people say they thought they’d be very small). I charged $15 for shipping, and received 450 orders in 2 weeks. Please let me know if you have anymore questions, I’d be happy to go over it more thoroughly.
Resources:
Thanks all so much!
Best,
Jeremy
