Canon iPF 9100 60" printer Colorspan Esprit 52" printer
Just recently Stan acquired a Canon iPF 9100 60" printer for giclee printing. This is a state of the art printer utilizing the latest technology in a 12 ink print system. The ink colors are amazing, strong hues and solid full blacks. To date this vibrancy has not been seen in pigment inks, but Canon has somehow pulled it off. And all this combined with exceedingly crisp details and an unusually wide color gamut range assuring unheard of subtleties of colors.
But Stan continues to also print with a Colorspan Esprit 52 inch wide printer that is capable of printing 11 colors using fade resistant high quality inks. The more colors used in the printing, the smoother and more expanded is the color tone range, and the higher the quality of print achieved. The print heads also lay on more ink density than is frequently the case with other printers, hence yielding deeper and brighter saturation of colors.
Step #1. Initial preparation.
An original piece of art work provided by a client is digitally photographed or scanned to obtain a high quality digital file suitable for printing. The file then undergoes image correction, color balancing, and any needed or requested photo retouching. This process can take anywhere from 1/2 to several hours, although 1 hour is the more typical amount of time. If slides, transparencies, or digital files are provided by the client then the need for scanning may be eliminated but proofing is still needed. Furthermore this may make matching the original piece of art more difficult as there is no art work present by which to judge whether the proof is close or not to the original.
Step #2. Initial Test Strips. Choices are made by the client regarding media to be used, such as watercolor paper, canvas, or other media. Then initial test strips are run by Stan to determine color match and accuracy of detail of the initial version of the digital file. Changes in color, contrast, brightness and saturation are made in preparation for proofing.
Step #3. Proof Printing. An 8x10 proof print is printed to view overall color and tonal balance. Also an 8x10 inch strip through somewhere in the image at proposed final size is printed to assess how the final print may look. These are then shown or mailed to the client for approval. If changes are necessary the client will contact Stan to describe alterations. A 2nd set of proofs may be printed if necessary. When the client is satisfied he or she notifies Stan. The client keeps the proofs as a record. Also a full size proof print can be printed at some additional cost if a full size proof is desired.
Step #4. Final Printing and UV spray Coating. After client approval Stan makes the final print or series of prints. All prints then receive a special spray coating for protection against UV light, against touching or brushing of the surface, and against environmental pollutants. The digital file used in printing is then archived by Stan for future prints if requested. The file can also be copied onto a CD and supplied to the client, if requested.
On Site Alternatives. Rather than Stan processing proofs and prints separately from the artist/client one may choose to be present in Stan's studio at the time of preparation of the proofs and final printing. This allows the client more direct participation in the printing process and more chance to get what is wanted. It can also be an education about Giclee printing issues.
Or also an artist/client may spend time at the studio with Stan using the equipment to create an entirely new work on the spot. This might take anywhere from a few hours to several days. A print from this then becomes the first generation original work of art for the client.
