Two Exciting Summer Print Workshops From Craig Stevens
Craig Stevens is a photographer, printmaker and educator. He has taught, written and lectured extensively on the subjects of art and education and is currently a Professor of Photography at the Savannah College of Art & Design. This will be Craig’s 38th year at the Workshops.
Both to be held at the Maine Media Workshops.
Personal Vision and the Expressive Digital Print will be held July 22-28
http://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/photography/personal-vision-expressive-print
Experimental Digital Printmaking Workshop will be offered August 12-18.
http://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/photography/personal-vision-expressive-print
Eric Meola’s New Book, Born to Run Revisited
photographs © Eric Meola 2012
When we got back on the road, the sky had gone black and the wind had come up. I photographed some more, including a shot of Bruce in front of the car, leaning on the hood—a long, thin, dusty dirt road going off in the distance behind him, disappearing over Battle Mountain. It began to rain and flashes of lightning filled the valley floor. It was one of those moments that stay with you to the grave. There was that strong, fresh smell of ozone after lightning has cleared the air, and the feel of moisture mixed with dry desert wind—something I had felt only once before.
- Eric
Born to Run Revisited by Eric Meola
Borders and Frames – What’s the difference?
ImagePrint 9 has two ways of adding a decorative edge to prints: Borders (using the Borders Browser) and Frames. Though they sound similar, they’re actually quite different in the effects they can achieve. Still, it can be a bit confusing as to which tool does what and when to use it. So here’s a quick rundown on how these two “edgy” features work:
Frames – quick and easy
Frames are simple: A solid rectangle surrounding an image. Adding one is as simple as right-clicking an image, choosing “Add Background” and clicking FRAME in the window that appears. Next you specify the distance from the edge of the image, thickness and color, click OK and BAM: You have a nice frame around your image. If you want to get a bit more complex you can also specify a matte area between the image’s edge and the interior frame edge. This matte area can be filled with a solid color or left transparent, opening the door to lots of design options. (For instance, try placing a framed image with a transparent matte over another image–the underlying image will show through the matted area giving you a unique, personalized frame).
Borders – edges and more
Borders are a bit more complex. Instead of being limited to rectangular shapes generated by ImagePrint, borders are actually images themselves. You can create these border images yourself or purchase pre-made packages from companies that specialize in artistic borders.
Just a couple of things to keep in mind about these border files: They need to be in PhotoShop PSD format, 8 bit. And…each border file needs to match the aspect ratio (in other words, the shape) of the images you plan to apply it to or some part of the image will be cropped to fit. Also, size matters–when you apply an border file to an image, the image will be resized to match the size of the border file. Choose to apply an 8×10 border to a 4×5 image and you’ll end up with an 8×10 bordered image (you can resize it afterward though using ImagePrint’s normal scaling tools).
Once you have them, border files need to be placed in the Borders folder within your ImagePrint folder. Then you can select them from the Border Browser (available under ImagePrint’s View menu).
Double-click a border from the Border Browser to apply it to an image. The original image will show through the transparent areas of the border file while the non-transparent parts of the border will overlay it. This allows for effects such as sloppy or ragged borders (simply create a PSD file with the edge you want to achieve and all other areas transparent). Borders can also be used for effects that aren’t really “borders” at all–like placing your logo in the bottom corner of photographs or creating cards with transparent areas for people’s faces, or… well, the possibilities are almost endless.
So… Frames or Borders–which to use?
It depends on your needs. Want a simple, colored rectangle around your image, maybe with a matte interior? Frames are the way to go. Need an artistic, ragged edge or vignette effect, or an easy way to apply a static graphic effect or logo to images? You should be looking at Borders.
Need more information? Frames are discussed in much more detail in the ImagePrint 9 User’s Guide (chapter 13). Borders are discussed in chapter 11.
Ron Martinsen, Printing 101 eBook
Ron Martinsen is an internationally renowned commercial photographer who has educated over 800,000 visitors on his popular Photography and Photoshop blog (http://ronmartblog.com). His printing series last year was a huge hit, but there was so much great information to share that his loyal readers asked for a book.
Printing 101 Notebook: An Introduction to Fine Art Photography Printing is an eBook designed to help frustrated ink jet printer users get the most out of their investment by educating them on everything they will need to make great prints. With interviews and advice from industry legends like Vincent Versace, Eddie Tapp, Greg Gorman, John Paul Caponigro, Douglas Dubler and more, this is a must have for anyone who is serious about making great prints. This gorgeous looking eBook is over 90 pages that are easily readable on your Computer, iPad, Kindle, or any other device capable of reading PDF files.
Click here to order your copy today.
Focus On The User presents Pete Myers
Pete Myers is one of the leading Master Fine Art Landscape Photographers of our time. He is 52-years old and resides in Santa Fe, NM with his wife, Kathy. Fine art photography has been his profession since 1994.
Myers is known for his compelling works of the American West, wherein he explores the very lands that shaped those that came west during the great migration spanning the last one hundred and fifty years. Unique in the entire world, it is the dream of these dreamers that shaped these lands. Their courage and vision for a better life may not have always prospered, but their legacy lives on in the beauty of what they left behind. The buildings, landscape, cars and artifacts remaining from their existence are a glimpse into their world and the courage of their convictions. Read more…
Protecting your print
It’s a scary world for an inkjet print, full of ultraviolet radiation, condensation, oxidation… not to mention the sticky fingers of 6-year-olds. And though locking your prints away in a dark, vacuum sealed chamber might be tempting, there are methods to protect your beloved prints that don’t involve hiding them from the world.
But, can you both protect and display your work without compromising its unique look and feel?
The answer is yes… if you take care to choose a method that enhances (or at least doesn’t detract from) the characteristics of the print.
Don’t make a solution into a problem
For example, do you use a matte or glossy paper? That’s important, as most strategies for protecting a print are going to affect its reflective characteristics. So you’ll need to be sure to use the right coating for the job. While the added shininess of a glossy coating may not be noticeable on a high-gloss paper, it can make a major difference in the appearance of a matte or semi-matte one. And vice versa–a matte fixative can dull the shine right off of a glossy print.
Change in reflectivity is just one of many potential downfalls you may run into when adding a layer of protection to your output. Texture may be reduced or eliminated by the addition of a sealant. And other unique characteristics, like the ultra-contrast of metallic papers or the silver gelatin look of some fiber papers may take a hit as well.
In almost all cases there will be some impact on the perceived color vibrancy and density of the print due to the above mentioned change in reflectivity or because of a tint inherent in the coating. You may find you like the change–many do. Blacks can look blacker, contrasts more deep, colors more vibrant–but its important that you are aware that these “enhancements” will occur.
But wait, there’s more! Some liquid sealants may dampen the paper enough to cause it to visibly warp. And it’s not unheard of for coatings to yellow or crack over time. In fact, while many coatings claim to extend the longevity of the print, keep in mind that often these are just claims with not much in the way of empirical data to back them up.
Oh, and some sealants stink. Literally. Its important to apply them in a well ventilated room and give the print plenty of time to air out. Even then, some people have complained about a chemical smell permanently infusing their prints after coating.
Last but not least–a seemingly dry print must be given at least several days or even weeks before sealing or framing to “out gas”. Sealing or framing the print prematurely is a sure way to do the opposite of protecting it as trapped moisture and harmful gases cause it to fade, yellow or warp.
With all of these factors to consider you may well decide not to take additional steps to protect your prints. After all–today’s pigment inks (such as those used by Epson Stylus printers) are water resistant and fade resistant–in a “normal” indoors environment they can be expected to last without extensive fading for 80 years or more–at least that’s what the simulations tell us (No inkjet prints are that old yet). And that may be true. However, if your prints will be outdoors (or close enough to a door or window to receive weather effects), in direct sunlight or exposed to physical handling then the advantages of some form of coating may outweigh the pitfalls. With a little research, depending on the method of protection, you can make your print significantly more waterproof, UV proof…even 6 year old finger proof.
Evening it out
Even if protection or extending the life of your print into the next century isn’t a concern for you, there is one more thing to consider: Pretty much any coating will reduce or eliminate gloss differential and bronzing. Gloss differential is what happens when there’s a clear difference between the “inked” area of a print and the areas that received no ink. Viewed at an angle, you’ll see the inked areas have a different reflective quality while the non-inked areas of a print show a different glossiness. Bronzing is a phenomenon in which the light reflective characteristics of the inks cause a golden “oil on water” sheen to the print when looked at an angle. Both these phenomenon are tamed with virtually any kind of protective coating as they will even out the reflective characteristics of the print.
Choose your armor
So, now that we’ve discussed the pros and cons…just what are the methods of protection out there? Well–there’s a lot of them, running the gamut from expensive lamination systems to hairspray. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, here’s the main categories of options you’ll find:
Glass/Plastic Framing
It might seem overly obvious, but framing a print behind glass (or clear plastic) is a simple and effective method of offering protection to your prints. Framing protects from sunlight (if you use UV filtering glass) and, though not airtight, it does offer some measure of protection from environmental dangers like moisture and oxidation. Viewed strictly for its protective characteristics alone, though, it is usually the most expensive option, and though a nice frame will often enhance the print when displayed it will also add greatly to the storage requirements when it isn’t hanging on a wall.
Liquid coatings
There’s a dizzying range of methods and terms used in this category (fixative, shellac, lacquer, varnish, clear coat, acrylic coat, sealant, UV spray and “liquid laminates” to name a few) but all share the basic idea of a liquid applied to the surface of the print via brush, roller, aerosol spray can or spray gun that will dry to some kind of protective barrier. While there are lots of liquid coatings specially formulated for inkjet output, many have also reported good results with more traditional products like those typically used for arts and crafts or woodworking applications. In fact, if you’ve ever read internet forums devoted to inkjet printing you know that experimentation is quite common when it comes to finding the perfect coating—pretty much any thing that can be sprayed on to a print has been… though not always with the intended results.
For applying a liquid coating, rolling and brushing are typically the most cost effective–especially when working with larger prints. Achieving an even coat is easy with a little practice but care must always be taken to avoid brush marks and air bubbles. Aerosol spraying may be a more convenient option for smaller prints but more product may be required to achieve the same coverage as brushing/rolling. And spraying requires more care in maintaining proper ventilation in your work area. An HVLP (high-volume, low pressure) spray gun is perhaps the best, but most expensive, method for higher volume applications as it provides efficient, even coverage on large and small prints with very little waste.
Most liquid coatings will be water, solvent or oil based. Water based coatings can cause smearing on non-water resistant inks and some solvents may react badly with some paper coatings, so be careful. A test application is always recommended.
Lacquers and Varnishes are perhaps the two terms you’ll see most often in this category. Lacquers tend to be thinner and faster drying then varnishes, but are more flammable so proper precautions must be taken when applying. Lacquers are solvent or water based, Varnishes are oil and resin.
Lamination
In lamination a clear plastic sheet is fixed to the print with an adhesive. The normal lamination process uses heat to activate the adhesive and create the bond between a top and bottom laminate, with the print “pouched” between. But the high temperatures needed may in some cases harm the print. That’s why “cold lamination” is often used for inkjet output. In cold lamination, the print along with an adhesive backed plastic sheet are fed between two rollers which apply pressure to the two, sealing just the face of the print and the single laminate sheet together. There are a variety of both hot and cold laminators (priced anywhere from the low hundreds to high thousands) suitable for inkjet prints. (Remember when pricing a laminator that the laminate material itself is a factor–some can, inch for inch, rival the cost of the paper).
Lamination has the advantage of ease of application and durability. Laminating gives a more “plastic” feel to the print however, and may not be desirable for fine art prints. Unlike liquid coatings, off-size prints will need to be trimmed of excess material once laminated.
Calibration and Soft Proofing
At this point it’s probably a good idea to put in a quick word about printer profiles and paper coatings. Since paper profiles are in almost all cases NOT made on papers with protective coatings applied, if the protection you choose does change the tint or density of your prints in a significant manner it can be tricky to compensate for the change when creating or editing your images. One workaround is to simply create a soft proof of the coating’s effects in Photoshop via an adjustment layer. The basics are: First, make sure you are getting a good screen to print match without the coating applied (using your printer/paper profile via the normal View-Proof Setup methods within Photoshop). Now, coat the print, let it dry, and hold it next to the computer screen while Photoshop displays the same image as a soft proof. Create an adjustment layer in Photoshop and use its controls to match the tint or density. Now, when you are correcting images that you will be printing and coating, you can activate the adjustment layer to see how the coating will affect it. Make sure not to save the adjustment layer with the image – the adjustment layer is just for seeing the change the coating will make so you can correct for it!
Products
To close off, here’s a very brief and very far from comprehensive list of liquid coating products that you might see out there. Remember–ColorByte is not in the business of print protection and we aren’t recommending any of these. We’re just listing some well known popular names of coating products you may want to put into Google as a jumping off point in your search for that perfect print protection.
- Breathing Color Glamor and Timeless coatings
- Lyson Print Guard
- Clearstar ClearShield and ClearJet Products
- Bulldog Ultra Coating
- Krylon Crystal and UV Clear
- Premier Art Print Shield
- Superfrog Frog Juice
Know of something not mentioned here? Let us know in comments!
Well, that’s it for this overview. Whether you decide to armor your inkjet output against the elements or let them meet the world au natural we hope this has been an informative look into the available options you have when it’s time to expose your precious prints to the cold, hard world.
New Paper From Innova
There is an exciting new paper arriving soon from Innova. The official name is Innova FibaPrint Warm Cotton Gloss. The market announcement will come at this years WPPI convention in Las Vegas. US shipment should begin the week of February 20th.
FibaPrint Warm Cotton Gloss is a 100% cotton paper. It contains no optical Brighteners (OBA) in the base or in the papers coatings. It has a total weight of 335 gsm (grams per square meter) which will give the paper a substantial feel without being too stiff.
Here is what Fine Art Photographer Pete Myers has to say about this new paper.
“The surface quality of the Innova rag-based paper is just stunning. Surface smoothness has everything to do with the fidelity of the final print, resolution and gradation. You simply cannot make a great print without a great surface, and to have a great surface based on rag is extremely difficult to do. The bottom line is that this will become my paper of choice for the production of my fine art prints. Iryna at Colorbyte did an outstanding job with the ImagePrint calibrations for the new Innova product.”
The base has been made as smooth as possible and the ink receptive layer is Innova’s latest generation technology.
US Roll sizes will be 17”, 24”, 36”, 44” and 60”. Cut sheet sizes will be available in 8.5 x 11, 11 x 17, 13 x 19, and 17 x 22.
David Williams at Innova has been kind enough to offer to send our customers a sample of this new paper once it’s available. If you are interested please email David at: davidw@innovaart.com.
