Art Reproduction - Getting Started

Successful Art Reproduction starts with a high-quality image. With this in mind, I offer image capture using the incredible WideTek 25 A2 art scanner. This best in class technology ensures that you receive outstanding image files that are sharp, full of detail and ready to be taken on to the archival printing process on paper, canvas or other merchandise products.

How long will it take?

I try to arrange for you to deliver the work at a time that will result in the shortest turn-around possible. Depending on the number of works to be copied, the imaging file preparation can be completed in a couple of days. If it’s urgent, please let me know. If it can be done, I’ll do my very best to make it happen.

Colour Accuracy

My fees include image capture and colour calibration to match the colours and density of your original artwork and include a reference mini print.

Reproduction Print Quality

For most artists, this is the major concern that they have. Please be assured that the Artist feedback I’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive to the point where with some media types it has been almost impossible to see the difference between the original and the reproduction. I’m picky. Even I’m always amazed at the incredible results achieved and when Artists say that “it looks better than the original” I guess it doesn’t get any better.

File and Image Sizes

Quality prints require large files, particularly when artworks reach A3 and above and you plan to print at A3 or bigger. To produce a 900x600mm image and retain absolute sharpness and detail a 75MP image is required. If you consider that most cameras today capture images at about 25-50MP, you quickly realize the image size gap. It’s not uncommon for me to be producing 300-450MP+ files for artists that allow them to take their larger artworks and produce them beyond the original artwork size and beyond 2 metres wide.

I hear you say that you would never need to make prints larger than the original and certainly not to an enormous size like 2+ metres. Perhaps not. But what if you were asked and you could say, ‘Sure, not a problem’.

Justifying the Cost

Justifying the expense of getting your work photographed and printed for the first time can be daunting and seem expensive. Please be assured that my imaging prices are the most reasonable that I can find anywhere. If you consider that after just one sale, you can recover all of the costs associated with the photography, the production of the first print (of any size) and also make a profit, the overall cost quickly becomes insignificant.

Prices

All of the pricing is for a complete service. There are no hidden extras or unknowns. The price is quoted on the job and not on the time taken, so you can be assured that there won’t be any unwanted ‘Bill Shock’.

Starting at just over $60 for small artworks, the first step in the art reproduction service at Fine Photos includes -

  • the imaging of the artwork.

  • colour balancing.

  • a mini print approx A4 (ish) or 30x30cm if the original was a square.

  • and high-resolution files in multiple formats supplied on USB.

Once completed you will have all you need to begin making stunning reproduction prints, have your artwork put onto products or fabrics or anything else your heart desires.

Printing

Fine Photos can provide the most outstanding quality Giclee prints in sizes from A5 to A0 using the very best 44” wide HP printer technology. Every print is made in house, so you can be assured of absolute quality control and attention to colour detail. The combination of light fast pigment inks and the very best acid free papers will ensure that you can reproduce artwork with the confidence that it will last for many decades to come. The paper and ink combinations I’ve selected have been age tested to last more than 200 years. No other printer and ink combination currently available on the market exceeds the lightfastness performance of the HP combination.

Mini Colour Reference Print

Every time you have an artwork photographed or scanned you will receive a colour-balanced mini print, along with all of the digital files. This reference print ensures you have a colour-balanced reference of the original for the future.

My Recommended Papers for Art Reproduction

Fine Art Smooth 200gsm

Fine Art Smooth has a matt warmtone surface and is an excellent and highly cost effective premium paper. Created from an alpha-cellulose base with the latest advances in matt coating layer technology, this product allows fine art photographers and printers to achieve the artistic interpretation of an image by drawing out sharp crisp details, while maintaining vivid colors.

Key Benefits

  • Excellent Image Sharpness

  • Acid-free

  • Durable light resistance with HP pigment inks (+150 years)

  • Excellent for fine art printing, photography and portraiture

French Made – Cotton Rag 310gsm

With no optical brighteners and the longevity, image stability and a clean matte surface required for the very best in fine art printing. This smooth-surfaced, heavyweight paper truly has a luxurious feel and is offered as the perfect choice for larger prints.

Key Benefits

  • 100% Cotton

  • Acid-free

  • Very Smooth Surface

  • No Optical Brighteners

  • Outstanding lightfastness qualities with HP pigment inks (+200 years)

Want to learn a bit more?

You may like to read my article titled - ‘Photographing Your Artwork – It Just Makes Sense’