What standards are applied when preparing my digital files for large digital printing?
"Color management for printing" or color profiling, is the standard applied when making prints from your digital files. This is a system which calibrates color balance, accomodating both input and output devices when producing large digital prints. This system, often referred to as CMS (color management system) sets a unified standard to include most all of the variables affecting the final print. The International Color Consortium (ICC) established this standard, dating back to 2005. When searching for a quality large format printing company, inquire whether they are using a CMS system for their devices. Every step in the printing process should be maintained by color profiling.
Input Profiling (In-camera) Color calibration of the set-up of camera, lens, and lights contribute to the color quality of your digital file. To establish quality control over these variables, a color management system is applied. Digital capture is the portal step in the journey towards producing quality images. The intent of maintaining CMS is to capturing color accuracy, consistently. An easy illustrative example of this can be seen when dealing with corporate colors. Corporate branded colors are specified color requirements or spot colors chosen to match industry printing standards found in the PMS (panatone matching system) booklet.
Output Profiling (Print devices) This is a system of color management for all output devices within a large format printing company. The output devices typically included are lightjet printers, inkjet printers and UV printers. Color printer profiles should be made for each device within your selected large digital print provider's facility.
Implementing color management for printing:
The way color profiles for printing get made is by making use of a standardized industry target, such as the one above called the Gretag Macbeth ColorChecker. With the inclusion of the color influences of the chosen lights, camera and lens within a given establishment, the profiling software reads each value on the chart captured. It then compares those values to the established values of the chart. The color management software calculates a correction factor which compensates for the values that may have been skewed by the color temperature of the lights, for instance. This correction factor is called a "mathematical filter" and will restore the established values of this standardized chart, when used correctly. Here is an example, let's say you are shooting fine art and you have acquired the image, brought it into Photoshop, and you have converted the profile, making use of this ICC profile. When you '"convert to profile," with this color management system in place, the "mathematical filter" automatically corrects and balances the image, your camera file is now a well-balanced and accurately colored image.
To create color printer profiles, there is the added step of printing a Gretag Macbeth ColorChecker chart. A spectro-photometer is used to read the values of this printed chart from the specifically-used output device. The readings are fed directly into the profiling software, and it automatically receives the "mathematical filter" corrections necessary to acheive accurate values, and creates the ICC profile. When you are ready to output your image, the ICC output profile will automatically provide accurate color balance!
Large format graphics printing companies can now offer better quality for reasonable cost. Businesses today rely heavily on innovative options to boost productivity and decrease costs. 
When it comes to reaching out to your local market with large eye-catching graphics, large mural-sized graphics of the past may have had compromised quality in comparison to today's technology! It was not so long ago that large format print companies printed imagery with lenses using legacy printers with limited capabilities. Rapidly changing technology has advanced digital capabilities for display makers using large format graphics printing!
What is Large Format Printing?
Today it is the process of converting a high-resolution digital capture file into monumental-sized prints and exhibits. For efficient production pipelining of these super large graphics, it is ideal to work with a large graphics print production company offering all services in one location. These services would include graphics design, professional digital photography services, digital print production, finishing and installation services. Your print provider of large format graphics, should be offering the best of state-of-the-art technology for printing large format graphics. High tech capabilities should include services such as dye sublimation fabric printing and UV direct-to-substrate printing. With UV flatbed printing, the image can be printed on a broad variety of flat substrates options such as metal, glass, wood, plex, fabrics, Lexan and more, in single panel of around 5 x10 feet. With fabric printing, single panels can run as large as 8 x 40 feet. These large panels could be seamed together to make an even larger dimension to suit your project. A variety of fabric textures made of recycled polyester is the substrate for large fabric murals, canvas prints, wallpapers, and peelable repositional fabric decals; as well as banners and flags for the exhibits industry. Finding a professional large print provider with all these services will streamline the timing of your project and keep costs down. One such large format print provider with this collective expertise, tech-driven infrastructure and innovative ideas, can be found with Photoworks Creative Group, a local company with big service opportunity, poised for a global audience.
Today, there are a number of high-end printing solutions available for large format prints. However, Photoworks Creative Group still remains unique for its unmatched service and the elegance of large graphic printing with all services rendered under one roof.
A lightjet print is also known as a digital C print. It is a photographic print made from a digital file. The lightjet printing device exposes the photographic paper with RGB lasers from a spinning mirror (there is no lens). This exposed photo paper is then traditionally photo processed.
What are the distinct advantages of lightjet prints?
- It is the gold standard for the highest apparent resolution of 4,000 DPI offering extremely fine detail (with no visible dots nor film grain) with this continuous tone print.
- Vast color gamut potential, as the 24 or 36-bit color can offer 16 million colors versus the traditional 8-color inkjet only offering small numbers of colors. And using lasers offers a higher Dmax, therefore offering greater contrast control, especially within the shadows.
- The printing device uses a "round imaging dot" to maintain edge to edge sharpness on the final print. The technology of the printer allows for a dimensionally consistent round imaging dot across the entire print.
- The photo emulsion of archival photo paper is significantly more stable than inks or dyes; therefore offering greater longevity than most.
Who would be interested in aquiring a lightjet print? Anyone interested in a high resolution output from their digital files would desire this type of print. These prints are superior in sharpness, offer saturated colors, have excellent contrast control, are of archival quality and have a longevity beyond other prints. The consumer of this type of print might be museums, professional photographers & artists, architectural firms, advertisiing agencies, trade show exhibits and anyone who cares about the best resolution in the final print.
When would I have seen a lightjet print before? You may have seen prints like these hanging on the walls of museums, architectural firms, law offices, advertising agencies, historical agencies, trade shows, and anywhere that high resolution detail matters.
Why would I ever want to have a lightjet print made of my product or service? You would want to have a lightjet print provided whenever there a need to display meticulous sharp detail of your digital image. This could be for professional requirements for a job or exhibit, or it could be because it is your personal standard to get the most out of your digital files.
Where do I go to acquire a lightjet print? There are a limited number of lightjet printers in the U.S. since the printer device is no longer being manufactured. Lightjet prints, however, continue to be actively produced! Check Photoworks Creative Group for more details.
photo credit: localnightclubs.org
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Dye sublimation fabric printing is growing in popularity for many reasons and her is what you need to know! It's lightweight, easy to ship, has a wide color gamut with rich colors, and is sharp in image quality.
Dye sub printing works only with polyester fabrics. While you can print on a polyester blend, the best color is realized using 100% polyester fabric.
There are two basic types of dye-sub printing:
DIRECT TO FABRIC or TRANSFER PRINTING
In direct printing, a modified inkjet printer prints direct to the fabric and then the fabric is heat treated to set the ink.
With dye sub transfer printing, the image is printed in reverse on a transfer paper, then run through a heat press sandwiched with the fabric. The ink is turned from a solid into a gas, and then transferred into the fiber of the fabric. At the high temperature of 400 degrees, the polyester fiber is nearly melting and it is open to receive the pigment. When it cools down, it entraps the dye in the fiber. This is called an entrapment process and is permanent. It will stand up to many cycles in a washing machine.
The distinct advantage to transfer printing over direct is that with transfer printing you can print on ANY untreated polyester fabric. This allows you a great selection of different weaves and knits to choose from, as well as the opportunity to select from recycled polyester fabrics; of which there are a number of them on the market.
With direct printing, you can only image on pre-treated polyester fabrics. This drives up the cost of the substrate and limits your choices to a select few.
Noteworthy is that with transfer printing, the image tends to be sharper!
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Today's digital fabric printing services are galaxies away from the older silk screen printing techniques.
"You've come a long way baby!" Enter the age of digitally recorded images with new techniques for digitally printing fabric. These new technologies offers you a solution for short runs of totally customized fabric panels having unprecedented color precision, a broad spectrum of substrates choices, durability like none other, and timely turnaround schedules. Printing options are UV flatbed printing and fabric sublimation printing, with the latter being a more suitable option. You or your client only need to supply a high quality digital capture for output or purchase one from stock images, and then choose a professional large format printer who offers in-house fabric printing services. These services are often referred to as "fabric graphics."
UV flatbed printing is an option to consider when you have a project that calls for printing on many different substrates with the same matching ad campaign or color palette. The choices for substrates are metal, wood, plastic, glass or even fabric. A base of white ink is put down in UV printing so that colors will match from substrate to substrate. The inks sit on the surface of the substrate and are tack sharp, but may not always be the most desirable way to print fabrics.
Dye sublimation fabric printing is the more preferred technique for custom fabric printing because the dyes are permanently gassed into the fibers of the fabric, creating an awesome bond, while maintaining a vivid color palette! Typically, the fabric choices are various textures made with polyester, and often these are recycled materials. The dyes are aqueous-based which also makes this a compatable eco-friendly process. Dye sublimation fabric printing is durable and washable. You can find these services often at companies that produce large or wide format graphics. Click here for more information on large format dye sublimation fabric printing.
With digitally printed fabric graphics you will be...
- getting a cost effective short run of fabric printed panels.
- acquiring a completely customized look for your office, retail or home from your chosen digital files.
- offered a softened, atmospheric presence in contrast to the hardlines of an image mounted and in a standard rectangular frame.
- receive short turnaround times for a custom look.
- fabric panels can be: stretched like a canvas with SEG (silicone edge graphics) framing or in variety of shapes with tension framing; they can be backlit; they can be hung like banners or flags; a complete wall mural; skinned on a trade show display; cover acoustical panels; be used for curtains, upholstering, pillows and even to wear.
For more information on digitally printed fabrics, contact Photoworks Creative Group, Inc.@ 1.800.829.4562.
Photo credit: Rick Bradley
There is no limit to what your imagination or your project calls for in the way of flat signage and graphics! The arrival of UV cured flatbed printers has thrown open the gates for so much more, and better than before.
This new technology allows you to print on any substrate and have consistent image reproduction from surface to surface; whether its metal, glass, wood, or plastic. We use a white ink base with our machine which aids this consistency. This new technology does not require any adhesives. It does not require lamination as it cures instantly and is both scratch and fade resistant. It is available for both outdoor and indoor use. The suggested life span of an outdoor print is three years or more, depending on the substrate and the exposure.
It is eco friendly with no VOC's due to the instant curing and the inks. This UV flatbed printer uses an LED lightsource that uses far less energy than the traditional UV quartz light, and without the heat.
With this improved durability and the increasing wide variety of substrate options, the world of creative options is yours. Final prints and signage are vibrant (like never before), can appear embossed (depending), and are waterproof! So dive in head first, and try this newest and best way to achieve attractive digital graphics printed on any flat surface!
Should a beautiful melody only be heard by one person?
Should a beautiful painting only be seen by one person? 
In today's music industry, one can access the latest creation out there, available to all in an instant through the internet. Historically, the art of music has always been broader reaching through the reproduction of sound with taping, records, and CD's; not to mention live concerts.
But what about the art world? How accessible is a single masterpiece, like the Mona Lisa? Artists show their art to limited audiences within a single gallery and at best, a travelling show. Paintings which are sold to individuals are then seen by even fewer and even worse, can get locked away in some archive after the purchase has been made. The artist gets paid, and that is the end of it. What opportunities exist now that can enhance the pubic's accessibility to art, while compensating the artist with a steady income today?
The Solution: the Giclee Fine Art Print
Giclee's are professional, meticulous fine art reproduction prints, specifically made to capture the color accuracy of each color in the artist's palette, and the finest line detail maintaining crisp sharpness. This digital capture can then be printed on canvas or watercolor paper or photo paper. There is absolutely no comparison to its exquisite fine-tuned detail in reproduction to an ordinary digital copy. There is a methodology to every step of the Giclee' process which includes a calibration system and repeatedly massaging minutuae areas of a single painting in order to keep all features, shadow detail and color, concise and true to the original!
Purists may scoff, but many a fine-tuned eye would be challenged to discern between original and its giclee! Not only does this open up opportunities to share the art, but its also an avenue for steady income. The artist has the opportunity to have digital capture files made of their best portfolio pieces. Broader markets open up and works can be shown in a few locations around the world. And depending on the guidelines of the gallery, you could send out these representations as your original artwork without risk of loss or damage to the originals.
With giclees, more people in the world may now view your single exquisite painting. Giclee art reproductions paired with access to communicate across the world, changes the shape of how the public views and accesses art. The artist can now potentially thrive in such an enviroment, while continuing to create and share new art. Giclee reproduction prints and internet communications would have been a dream for the Old Masters, why not take advantage of today's opportunity for your art?!
photo credit: Linda Bailey
"Giclee" is the process used to make museum-quality reproductions of your fine art. The word “giclée” comes from the French derivation of “to spray” or “to squirt” and describes a process where graphic images are generated from high-resolution digital photography and scanning. This system was specifically designed to preserve the color integrity and sharpness of detail of your original artwork . These museum-quality prints can be made on canvas or watercolor paper. But why would you want your art duplicated?
PROFITABILITY
After investing your heart and soul into creating beautiful art, do you then want to sell it just once? Granted, a one-time sale may bring you both immediate satisfaction and a pad to carry you through to your next several creations, but is there more wisdom in extending the life of that payout? With giclee digital printing, you can sell the same piece again and again, with a long-term steady income stream. In the long run, this could pay you dividends more, potentially giving you a much better pay out than a single sale. Consider the possibility of making a "limited edition" of your giclee art reproduction. You will want to analyze your options with your financial advisor.
EXPOSURE
And what markets will you be selling in? The internet and this special service gives you access to untapped foreign markets across the ocean, once viewed as a non-option just a few years back. Premium quality canvas reproductions of your original artwork allows you to keep control of the originals while expanding the base of your exposure to countries around the world. First, you must begin with an excellent high resolution digital capture, and then this digital file can be downloaded anywhere around the globe to an ftp (file transfer protocol) server who offers giclee printing services.
EXAMPLE
Here is a recent real world example of an artist from Switzerland exhibiting to a New York gallery, with ease using an ftp site and employing professionial giclee printing services, Charlottesville, Virginia.
The Swiss artist, Walter Probst, was preparing to exhibit his work at the Agora Gallery, in NYC. Here is his response to viewing the giclee prints of his artwork, "On Wednesday at the Agora Gallery, I saw the six (6) prints for the first time. They are exceptionally brilliant and vibrant - almost alive, displaying a clarity and vivacity that touches one deep inside. And, they have the vitality of original painted pictures which makes them pleasuring to the senses.
Many sincere thanks for the work you have done and for your valuable experience
that the prints clearly express. I am extremely thankful that I found your cooperation.
It is not something that simply goes without saying.
By the way, the picture with the title “Creation” has been taken into the NYC monthly
Gallery Guide as the only piece of artwork from the Agora Gallery.
I will contact again. In the meantime, many thanks once again for your valuable work.
-Walter"
photo credit: buckaroomama.com
COLOR SPACE
There are two types of color spaces in digital printing:
RGB and CMYK
(RED/GREEN/BLUE) and (CYAN/MAGENTA/YELLOW/BLACK)
In the world of digital printing, all image files are created in an RGB color space (scans, digital photographs, websites, and monitors). Even though scanners work with RGB, the images may be saved out as CMYK.
The advantage of using RGB files is that you only have 3 channels. This means you have 75% of the information as compared to the CMYK file, which has 4 channels. When dealing with files which exceed one Gigabyte, one less channel can make a difference in file size. This is particularly true if your computer does not have enough RAM, or processor speed, to handle a larger file size. When you need to upload a large file to an FTP site, it can be advantageous to have 25% less file space. RGB is generally the preferred file space.
CMYK is the color space of most inkjet printers. Some print providers depend on their inkjet printer RIP to convert an RGB file to CMYK file. You should speak with your graphics provider to see what kind of color space they require for their output device. Some inkjet printers have additional variances (light magenta, light black, light cyan) to increase their dynamic range. However, inkjet printers are not always CMYK. Some inkjet providers have optimized their RIP to accept RGB files. They let the RIP do the conversion to CMYK, which can give the best results.
Photo output printers, like the Durst Lambda and the Lightjet, are also known as laser imagers. These devices typically accept RGB files. You should not provide them with a CMYK file. The RIP will convert that CMYK furnished file into an RGB file, which will truncate the colors.
In summary, it is key to talk directly to your print provider and understand their requirements when deciding which output device to use. For more information on file preparation for large digital printing, click download.
photo credit: resumbrae.com
When it comes to massaging a file in the digital printing industry, there are a variety of digital printing solutions. It is best, however, to begin with an optimal image file to obtain a high resolution digital print. Here is a brief "how-to" guide.
3 Shooting and acquiring an image is something you need to pre-plan. Knowing the FINAL PRINT SIZE and FINAL PRINT PURPOSE before the photo shoot is key to obtaining optimal resolution.
2 INPUT The resolution of the image file is measured in PPI (pixels per inch). The relationship between PPI and the document size is critical to the resolution of the final output. You can inspect your document size in Photoshop (under Image>Image Size) and enter the FINAL PRINT SIZE. The PPI will proportion to your final magnification. In order to maintain the PPI value, the image should not be resampled; do NOT check the "resample image" box.
1 OUTPUT (A) The front end of all professional digital printers is called a RIP (raster image processor). A RIP will take any image you feed it and turn it into a bitmap image with the appropriate resolution. If the input file is light on resolution, the RIP will simply process it anyway, giving you less optimal results.
A unique and superior output device is the Lightjet 430, an RGB (red, green, blue) laser imaging device that images directly to photographic paper. This machine utilizes hardware interpolation on the fly, which means the missing pixels are inserted as the file is imaged. This gives the Lightjet the distinction of producing the best quality print from marginal low resolution files. Its hardware is superior at interpolation.
(Interpolation is when the values between two pixels are averaged, and the averaged value pixel is added between the two original pixels of the image. This is important when resampling is necessary for changing pixel dimension. Pixel dimension is the finite number of pixels in an image, and you never want to unintentionally change that amount.)
(B) The FINAL PRINT PURPOSE will determine print output. Will the print will be hung indoors or outdoors? At what distance will the graphic be viewed? These factors will affect the final resolution requirements. The resolution of the final print is measured in terms of DPI (dots per inch). DPI refers to the output resolution of the printer. For more information about print resolution, please press download!
photo credit: santyago.org
