What is a Fine Art Photographic Print?
So what is a Fine Art Photographic Print?
Thank you for taking an interest in my work. I have tried to explain what to me is a Fine Art Print, and hope you can be bothered to read it, as it took me an age to decide what to write.
Look around the internet and you'll see many products all claiming to be fine art prints, technically nobody is misleading, but there are 3 main types of fine art photographic prints, as far as I am concerned, these are:
Fine Art Photography Lithographic Print
A lithographic print (not to be confused with a Lith print) is a mass produced, commercially printed document manufactured in the same way as a sales brochure or a fashion catalogue. Generally speaking the owner of the image will provide a printing company with a finished image, from which the printer will make plates for use in a mass production printing press. A typical printing run would not normally be around 1000 copies, but in the main are around 5000 for average runs. The printer will then hang onto the plates for further production. The ultra violet stability of the prints is questionable, unless the printer specifically uses UV stable inks.
Again Note:- Litho prints should not be confused with Lith Prints
Fine Art Photography Digital Print
A digital print is produced from a digital file which is either originated digitally (perhaps by a digital camera or in Adobe Photoshop) and can be reproduced by simply pressing the print button on a computer. Digital prints are generally produced on a one by one basis.
A print can be produced on a variety of substrates but for commercial sale should be produced on 'Archival Paper' with Archival permanent Inks, which does involve an investment in equipment and materials adding to the final cost. To get a real example of what a normal inkjet print will last like, print a picture on your own printer and put it in the window for a couple of weeks, this will simulate a couple of years in a normal household position.
Fine Art Photography Photographic Print
A photographic print which requires any kind of darkroom manipulation has to be produced by hand. There are commercial companies, which will produce them for photographers, but most print finishers (including myself) prefer to produce their own work.
The prints are produced one at a time and the chances of getting two identical prints are fairly remote, but this should add to the character of the individual print.
For archival permanence the print should then be treated with further chemicals such as selenium, gold or thiocarbamide (sepia toner) these will protect the prints emulsion from airborne oxidants and pollutants.
The life span of a correctly treated and washed print should outlast the owner. Obviously the photographic print is far more expensive to produce than the other options.
Conclusion
All three of the print types are valid for their market, the lithographic printing process is great for posters and mass market products, the digital print is fabulous for producing prints to order without the expense of holding stock.
Photographic prints are for people who want the real thing, but appreciate and understand the time and costs involved.
Any questions please feel free to email me at steve.denby1@virginmedia.com or contact me through the website.
Steve Denby - May 2003
Thank you for taking an interest in my work. I have tried to explain what to me is a Fine Art Print, and hope you can be bothered to read it, as it took me an age to decide what to write.
Look around the internet and you'll see many products all claiming to be fine art prints, technically nobody is misleading, but there are 3 main types of fine art photographic prints, as far as I am concerned, these are:
Fine Art Photography Lithographic Print
A lithographic print (not to be confused with a Lith print) is a mass produced, commercially printed document manufactured in the same way as a sales brochure or a fashion catalogue. Generally speaking the owner of the image will provide a printing company with a finished image, from which the printer will make plates for use in a mass production printing press. A typical printing run would not normally be around 1000 copies, but in the main are around 5000 for average runs. The printer will then hang onto the plates for further production. The ultra violet stability of the prints is questionable, unless the printer specifically uses UV stable inks.
Again Note:- Litho prints should not be confused with Lith Prints
Fine Art Photography Digital Print
A digital print is produced from a digital file which is either originated digitally (perhaps by a digital camera or in Adobe Photoshop) and can be reproduced by simply pressing the print button on a computer. Digital prints are generally produced on a one by one basis.
A print can be produced on a variety of substrates but for commercial sale should be produced on 'Archival Paper' with Archival permanent Inks, which does involve an investment in equipment and materials adding to the final cost. To get a real example of what a normal inkjet print will last like, print a picture on your own printer and put it in the window for a couple of weeks, this will simulate a couple of years in a normal household position.
Fine Art Photography Photographic Print
A photographic print which requires any kind of darkroom manipulation has to be produced by hand. There are commercial companies, which will produce them for photographers, but most print finishers (including myself) prefer to produce their own work.
The prints are produced one at a time and the chances of getting two identical prints are fairly remote, but this should add to the character of the individual print.
For archival permanence the print should then be treated with further chemicals such as selenium, gold or thiocarbamide (sepia toner) these will protect the prints emulsion from airborne oxidants and pollutants.
The life span of a correctly treated and washed print should outlast the owner. Obviously the photographic print is far more expensive to produce than the other options.
Conclusion
All three of the print types are valid for their market, the lithographic printing process is great for posters and mass market products, the digital print is fabulous for producing prints to order without the expense of holding stock.
Photographic prints are for people who want the real thing, but appreciate and understand the time and costs involved.
Any questions please feel free to email me at steve.denby1@virginmedia.com or contact me through the website.
Steve Denby - May 2003
