Print Quality & Materials Guide

Understanding Print Quality

Learn about our premium printing processes, materials, and techniques to make informed choices for your artwork.

Printing Technologies

Giclée Printing

What it is: Fine art inkjet printing using archival inks and papers
Quality: Museum-quality output with exceptional detail and colour accuracy
Longevity: 100+ year fade resistance with proper care
Best for: Fine art reproductions, photography, detailed illustrations

Digital C-Print (Lambda)

What it is: Traditional photographic printing process using lasers
Quality: Continuous tone, no visible dots or pixels
Finish: Available in gloss, lustre, and matte finishes
Best for: Photography, images with smooth gradations

Large Format Printing

Capabilities: Sizes up to 150cm wide
Technology: Professional-grade wide-format printers
Applications: Statement pieces, architectural prints, banners
Quality: Consistent colour and sharpness across large formats

Paper & Media Options

Fine Art Papers

Cotton Rag Papers: 100% cotton, museum-quality, textured surface
Baryta Papers: Smooth, high-gloss finish, excellent detail reproduction
Watercolour Papers: Textured surface mimics traditional watercolour paper
Canvas: Available in various textures from smooth to heavily textured

Photographic Papers

Lustre: Pearl-like finish, excellent colour saturation
Gloss: High-gloss finish, maximum sharpness and colour
Matte: Non-reflective finish, softer appearance
Metallic: Reflective surface creates depth and vibrancy

Specialty Materials

Acrylic: Direct printing on acrylic for modern, vibrant look
Metal: Aluminium prints with exceptional durability
Vinyl: Weather-resistant for outdoor applications
Fabric: Textile printing for soft furnishings and banners

Colour Management

Colour Profiles

sRGB: Standard web colour space, most common
Adobe RGB: Wider colour gamut for professional photography
ProPhoto RGB: Largest colour space, captures most colours possible
CMYK: For commercial printing, different from screen colours

Colour Accuracy

Calibrated Monitors: All workstations use colour-calibrated displays
Proof Prints: Available for critical colour matching
ICC Profiles: Each paper and ink combination has specific profiles
Ambient Lighting: Consider your display environment when choosing colours

Common Colour Issues

Screen vs Print: Monitors display RGB, prints use CMYK or pigment inks
Metamerism: Colours appearing different under various lighting
Gamut Limitations: Some vibrant screen colours cannot be reproduced in print
Calibration Drift: Regular calibration ensures consistent results

Quality Control Process

Pre-Press Inspection

Resolution Check: Ensure adequate resolution for chosen print size
Colour Profile Review: Verify correct colour space for optimal results
File Format Validation: Check for proper file format and compression
Print Size Calculations: Confirm artwork dimensions match order specifications

Production Quality Checks

Test Prints: Sample strips printed before final production
Ink Density Monitoring: Consistent ink application across entire print
Registration Accuracy: Precise alignment of all colour layers
Surface Inspection: Check for dust, scratches, or printing defects

Final Inspection

Colour Accuracy: Compare to approved proof or colour standard
Detail Sharpness: Verify all fine details are clearly reproduced
Uniformity: Check for consistent colour and density across print
Finishing Quality: Inspect cutting, mounting, or framing work

Print Sizes & Resolution

Resolution Guidelines

Minimum Resolution: 150 DPI at final print size
Recommended Resolution: 300 DPI for optimal quality
Large Format: 150-200 DPI acceptable for viewing distances over 1m
Fine Detail Work: Up to 600 DPI for intricate illustrations

Size Limitations by Medium

Photographic Papers: Up to 127cm wide
Fine Art Papers: Up to 111cm wide
Canvas: Up to 150cm wide
Specialty Materials: Varies by substrate

Viewing Distance Considerations

Close Viewing (under 0.5m): 300 DPI minimum
Normal Viewing (0.5-2m): 200-300 DPI recommended
Display Viewing (over 2m): 150 DPI acceptable
Large Format (over 3m): 100-150 DPI acceptable

Finishing Options

Surface Treatments

UV Coating: Provides protection and enhanced colours
Lamination: Protective layer for high-traffic applications
Varnishing: Traditional protective finish for fine art
Spray Coating: Light protective layer that maintains texture

Mounting Options

Foam Core: Lightweight, cost-effective mounting
Gatorboard: More rigid, professional mounting option
Honeycomb Board: Ultra-lightweight for large prints
Direct Mount: Adhering to rigid substrates like acrylic or metal

Edge Finishing

Clean Cut: Precise cutting to exact dimensions
Bleed Edge: Image extends to edge of paper
White Border: Clean white border around image
Deckle Edge: Hand-torn appearance for artistic effect

Choosing the Right Combination

By Artwork Type

Photography: Lustre or gloss photographic papers
Fine Art: Cotton rag or watercolour papers
Graphics/Illustrations: Smooth fine art papers or photo papers
Text-Heavy Designs: Matte papers to reduce glare

By Display Environment

High-Light Areas: Matte papers to minimize reflections
Controlled Lighting: Gloss papers for maximum impact
High-Traffic Areas: Protective coatings or lamination
Outdoor Display: Weather-resistant materials only

By Budget Considerations

Premium Quality: Cotton rag papers with archival inks
Professional Quality: High-quality photo papers
Standard Quality: Good photo papers with standard inks
Economy Options: Basic photo papers for temporary display

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between giclée and regular inkjet printing? Giclée uses archival pigment inks and fine art papers, while regular inkjet may use dye-based inks and standard papers, affecting longevity and quality.

How do I know what resolution I need? For most applications, 300 DPI at final print size is ideal. For large prints viewed from distance, 150-200 DPI is acceptable.

Why do colours look different on screen vs print? Screens use RGB light while prints use CMYK or pigment inks. Additionally, lighting conditions affect how colours appear in print.

What paper should I choose for black and white prints? Baryta papers offer excellent contrast and detail for B&W, while matte papers provide a softer, more artistic look.

How long will my prints last? With archival inks and papers, properly displayed prints can last 100+ years. Standard photo prints typically last 20-30 years.

Can you print artwork from social media? Social media images are typically too low resolution for quality prints. We need high-resolution files for best results.