• How long does it take to photograph my artwork?

• I have a drawing on paper can you photograph it?

• I have an unstreched Canvas can you photograph it?

• My canvas is heavily varnished and that has caused me problems with reflections in photographs can you do a better job than my photographer?

• Once I get a digital archive how long before I can have a proof?

• How close will the proof be to the edition run?

• How can you offer set-up charges for free?

• How does your free archive service work?

• Can I purchase a transparency or slide of my artwork?

• Can I photograph my own painting?

• Do I have to get my canvas prints coated?

• How long before I get my final prints?

• My current vendor say that his giclee prints don't need to be coated because he prints on glossy canvas. So why don't you do that?

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How long does it take to photograph my artwork?
If you have an appointment it can usually be done in about an hour and a half. The focus and light mapping takes about 30 minutes The actual exposure takes 25 to 40 minutes (that's not a misprint, quality takes time!) and correction and file prep about another 30 minutes. That equals about an hour and a half total. We have a courtesy lounge with snacks and refreshments for our clients to relax while we work. We also have wireless web access and a computer at our bar for client use. You can also watch us photograph your artwork if you’d like.

I have a drawing on paper can you photograph it?
Of course. We use a vacuum easel to insure the drawing is as flat as possible while we photograph it. We use a magnetic shooting board and micro magnets for larger pieces.

I have an unstreched Canvas can you photograph it? 
We have an adjustable stretching system. We can use a magnetic shooting board and magnets for larger pieces.

My canvas is heavily varnished and has caused me problems with reflections in photographs can you do a better job than my photographer?
I don't know who your photographer is but I can say Yes, Absolutely! Our camera system was designed for shooting art and does not see reflections like a normal studio set-up. Additionally we use technology and lenses designed for shooting predominately flat object such as paintings.

Once I get a digital archive how long before I can have a proof?
Usually under one hour we suggest you allow two hours during  for a full fast track proofing appointment which includes up to 5 proofs.

How close will the proof be to the edition run?
Our automated color correction system generates a very good proof in a short time. Its ability to make simultaneous color corrections at over 500 points is impressive. The color correction points are chosen to emphasise the most difficult colors and shades to photograph. Our printing systems are calibrated regularly using over 6000 reference point measurements. All of this technology plus the skill of our press operators enables us to proof a job in as little one pass. Our clients often tell us that our first print is superior to the final print of our competitors. We are sticklers for quality though and usually like to do a few extra proof prints to ensure the final print quality is the best possible. No Giclee process can reproduce every color an artist has at their disposal, in those instances decisions regarding acceptable color differences, process or hand embellishment may have to be made. In all cases you decide when the proof meets your requirements.

How can you offer set-up charges for free?
Our closed loop color management systems really work and that saves us a lot of time and materials. By asking that you to place a minimum starting order for that image (currently $250 worth of printing) we can absorb the cost of photography and printing. We don't usually make a profit on a fist order but our goal is create a long term relationship and produce additional prints as you require them. With with little set up cost on reorders we make our profit as you order additional prints. This way you can control your "start-up" cost on an image and we both profit as a team as you sell prints. If your initial purchase is less than the minimum we do have other plans where you can pay a nominal set-up charge or pay by the proof. We also charge for proofs if we are not working with your original art or if we printing a digital file you supply.

How does your free archive service work?
We understand that artists cannot always afford to pay the fee for photographing an artwork at ultra high resolution for reproduction. We shoot a high resolution photograph of your artwork and archive the high resolution file on our servers, We down sample that file and save it as web and medium sized promotional images. Each image is assigned the proper color profile and resolution for it's intended use. We charge only a nominal fee for this service. The artist receives the images necessary to promote and sell the prints without investing a large sum of money. If the artist decides to publish the image in the future we use the high resolution version from our archive server at no charge to you. Should you wish a copy of the high resolution image in the future it is also available to purchase.

Can I purchase a transparency or slide of my artwork?
We photograph artwork with digital technology and therefore only generate digital files. If you purchase a chrome (transparency) it would need to be scanned in order to reproduce anything other that a chemically processed photographic print. By shooting digital you will almost certainly pay less than paying for a photographic transparency plus a scan. If you do need a slide for being juried into a show they can be produced from digital files. Ask us and well give you a source.

Can I photograph my own painting?
You can, but we really don't recommend it. Everything on our photo studio is set up for photographing art. A normal digital camera with 10 or 12 mega-pixels may seem like high resolution until you compare it to our camera that captures up to 400 mega-pixel images! More importantly normal digital cameras do not have equal numbers of sensors  for all colors. They are constructed in what is called a bayer pattern. While this may be acceptable for everyday photos the demands of fine art reproduction require equal numbers of sensors for all colors in order to generate the truest reproductions.

Do I have to get my canvas prints coated?
Our canvas prints are not water soluble but include  a coating them to protect the surface from scuffs or scratches. The coating also has UV inhibitors that further protect the print. You can add another seal coat after embellishing any canvas giclée  and we currently do this for our clients at no charge.

How long before I get my final prints?
A lot depends on the size of the prints and of the run. On single prints it can take as little as an hour (often you can wait for them). Lead times can be as long as a couple weeks (first print) during busy times. Reorders are usually done in 3-5 business days. We can rush prints if you are in a hurry and often even get prints done in the same day if required.

My current vendor says that his giclee prints don't need to be coated because he prints on glossy canvas. So why don't you do that?
We can and do print on glossy canvas if the reproduction warrants it. We will however still coat the print. All inkjet canvas is coated with an inkjet receptive coating. This is what holds the ink and prevents it from running or smearing off the canvas before it dries. The very nature of this type of coating is to absorb as much ink as it can, much like a microscopic sponge. The more ink it can absorb and hold the more saturated the print colors will be. The problem with not coating glossy canvas becomes apparent when dirt gets on the print. After printing the coating continues to be receptive to virtually any contaminant. That can be dirt or cleaning agents that will break down the ink that is already on the canvas. White areas contain no ink at all so the receptive surface has never been used and therefore is just waiting to absorb anything it can. The coating is designed to hold on to what it has absorbed tenaciously so forget about removing that dirt spot, its there to stay. Coating a print not only blocks the light areas with little or no ink it also prevents the printed area from coming in contact with contaminants that could affect longevity. Most modern quality coatings also include UV inhibitors that can increase the fade resistance of Giclee prints. You other vendor was simply trying to get out of the very expensive cost of setting up a safe and efficient system for coating prints. Most print coatings cost around $100 plus per gallon so the savings on materials and labor by not coating giclee prints are significant. Unfortunately those savings are not in the best interest of the artist or client that eventually will own the dirt sponge that was sold to them.