Whats the difference between your Direct-to-Print and Custom Printing services?

Both our Direct to Print service and Custom Printing service use the exact same large format printers, archival inks, and fine art papers. Direct to Print is our more affordable service for you to upload your files for printing. Custom Printing gets us involved in editing.

Direct to to print service is our straightforward, easy to use printing service for files prepared according to our file submission guidelines. There is no retouching, test prints, scanning, or proofing included with Direct to Print orders, which is why using the Direct to Print service is less expensive than our Custom Printing service. If there’s an issue with the prints as a result of something you did in the file preparation, you’ll need to readjust your files, and make another print at your cost. This includes, but is not limited to: brightness, contrast, color balance, image resolution, focus, sharpening, dust/sensor spots, and cropping.

For Direct to Print orders – we encourage you to test before ordering large prints, or ordering a large print run – simply upload your files for Direct to Print orders, and order a smaller size print using the same paper you’ll choose for your final prints. 

Custom Printing is our specialty. You work directly with our master printmakers to create the best possible fine art prints. We handle all the image editing and color adjustments, file clean up and optimization, and preparation for printing. Drum scanning is available for an additional fee. Proofing is critical – a test print or magnification strip is included to review appearance and sharpness before producing the final prints. Your files are archived in your user account for easy re-ordering. Custom Printing allows you to tap into our fine art printing skills and technical expertise, and help you realize your artistic vision.

SAMPLE KITS AND TEST PRINTS

Sample kits and test prints will help you choose the best paper for your images. Read more about how to use them.

SAMPLE KIT

What is a sample kit? A sample kit contains pre-printed images using the exact same printers, papers and inks we print on every day at the studio. It allows you to see and feel the media types via sample images we provide. 

ORDER SAMPLE KIT HERE

TEST PRINTS

What is a test print (also called a proof)? A test print is a print of your image using the same printer and same paper you intend to use when you make your final print. Usually proofs are made at a reduced size (typically 8″ x 10″) to be economical. This allows you to see exactly how your image will look printed on the paper you choose. That said, you can order whatever size test print that you prefer.

WHEN TO CHOOSE A SAMPLE KIT VS A TEST PRINT

A sample kit is a great place to start because you can see and touch each type of paper, and see the differences in the media for yourself with images from our library. As you get a sense of what papers you like, and prepare to place orders, then we suggest ordering test prints on the paper(s) you’ll make final prints on. While test prints are not not mandatory, they are very helpful –  especially if it’s the first time working with us, or you’re placing a large order of an image you’ve never printed before.

Test prints are essential if you want to see how your image will print on a specific paper. Making test prints (also called hard proofing) has always been a part of fine printmaking. Even the best computer displays will always look slightly different than a print. Nothing beats a test print to see the image exactly as it will print on paper. Here’s more information on how to order and use test prints. 

Raw files are not accepted for direct-to-print service, nor can raw files be uploaded through our direct to print tool (it only accepts JPEGS or TIFFS).

To upload a raw file for custom prints, use the custom printing order form. It will walk you through the information needed to start the order and how to submit the files to us.

Basic file specifications for uploading to our Direct-to-Print service:

For best results, prepare your files like this to send to us for printing:

• Adobe RGB, Display P3, or sRGB for color prints and Gray Gamma 2.2 for Piezography
• Flattened Tiff or JPEG saved at maximum quality
• Don’t uprez your image – send it at the native resolution.

For more in depth information, see this FAQ (insert link)

Basic file specifications for uploading to our Direct-to-Print service:

For best results, prepare your files like this to send to us for printing:

• Adobe RGB, Display P3, or sRGB for color prints and Gray Gamma 2.2 for Piezography
• Flattened Tiff or JPEG saved at maximum quality
• Don’t uprez your image – send it at the native resolution.

For more in depth information, see this FAQ (insert link)

Raw files are not accepted for direct-to-print service, nor can raw files be uploaded through our direct to print tool (it only accepts JPEGS or TIFFS).

To upload a raw file for custom prints, use the custom printing order form. It will walk you through the information needed to start the order and how to submit the files to us.