COMMERCIAL Printing
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In addition to photographic and web design services, Vibrant Image is also a full service professional printing studio. I can print from files provided by you or I can take extremely high resolution photographs of your original artwork for fine art reproductions.
Vibrant Image has a complete end-to-end color-managed workflow (see below) so the accuracy and repeatability of image colors and detail are world-class. The materials I use are archival quality and carry a lifetime guarantee against fading under indoor lighting conditions.
The process:
Your File: When you bring your file to the studio we will view it on a freshly calibrated 30" high-definition monitor for color proofing. If any edits and/or resizing is required we will do it then. After you approve the image we will select materials and treatment. Once you place your order I will have your prints ready for you in 2 to 5 days depending on the size of the job.
Fine-Art Reproductions: It is best to bring your original artwork to the studio without the frame and/or glass as these will need to be removed for best results during the photography. We will discuss the finished size, materials and treatment you would like. Once you place your order I will have your reproductions ready for you in 3 to 5 days. There is a separate charge for photographing your original artwork and the resulting high-resolution file will only be available for printing the reproductions at Vibrant Image. I will maintain an archived copy of this file for future reproductions unless requested not to do so.
The materials:
I can print on a variety media types ranging from photographic papers, fine art papers, professional canvas, textiles, and even wallpaper. Most media types can be printed up to 42" or 44" wide and any length. All inks and media types are archival quality unless indicated otherwise. If printing on canvas I can also provide stretching and gallery-wrapping.
Please contact me for more information or to request media samples. I'd be delighted to be of service!
Color-Managed Workflow
In order to maintain color-fidelity throughout the digital imaging process, from capture (photography, scanning, etc), to processing on the computer, to output on a printer, every step of the way must be color-managed. What does this mean, exactly? To put it simply, it means that all of the hardware involved must be calibrated against international standard ICC color references. In reality, color management is a very complicated and technical subject and a thorough treatment of the topic occupies entire volumes. I manage these things for my clients so that they don't have to think about it.
Below is a very simple description of what I do in my studio to ensure that the results are "spot on".
Capture: During photography, once the lighting and all other settings are finalized a "reference" shot is taken that includes a color "target". This "reference" shot allows me to ensure perfect color balance during post processing on the computer.
Processing: All monitors have a normal variation from unit to unit and also "drift" over time. Therefore, it is also critically important that the monitor is regularly calibrated. I calibrate my reference monitor on a weekly basis.
Output: Lastly, every paper has a unique "look" since all papers (or canvases, textiles, etc.) posess unique ink absorption as well as light reflection and intrinsic "brightness" characteristics. Therefore, when printing, every paper/ink combination must use a "profile" that takes all of these characteristics into account to ensure that what comes out of the printer is very close to what is seen on the monitor.