Don't be fooled!

Don't be fooled by canvas printers who have very low prices... chances are they use sub-standard materials, folks!

Naturally it is crucial to only use original, printer-manufacturer archival quality pigment-based inks, but that's not all...

Check the weight of the canvas - 450gsm is good, 350gsm - not so good, less than 250gsm is appalling.

Is the canvas white? That can be good, unless it was made white with "Optical Brightener Additives" in the inkjet receptor coating using these additives effectively eliminates any archival (long life) claims - even when using good inks and a protective coating - OBAs will cause your print to age, yellow and crack much sooner than a good quality canvas.

Is it pure cotton? This can be misleading - pure cotton is generally not as consistent in terms of fine texture, and introduces more blemishes such as seeds and knots.

The canvas we use passes all of these tests.

Sadly, there are companies out there who will use inferior materials and not even know what harm they are doing to your precious images in the long run.

It pays to check. Any giclee (digital inkjet) printing outfit that can not answer these questions appropriately may not be the best firm to trust with displaying your images to their best advantage.


Fine Art Printing and Photos on Canvas: www.gicleeprint.co.nz

Nature Untouched - Photographic Exhibition

We are delighted to announce a solo exhibition by our wonderful client and friend, the very talented Priscilla Everts.

Nature Untouched is a wonderful collection of photographic works exploring a natural history theme with a strong botannical flavour. Beautiful flowers, petals, leaves will adorn the walls of the Lake House Art Centre until July 26th 2009. Don't miss out!

Celebration opening: Sat. July 11th, 3-5pm.

Nature Untouched - An exhibition of photographic artworks by Priscilla Everts

Lake House Arts Centre, July 7th - 26th 2009

37 Fred Thomas Drive Takapuna, Daily 10am to 4pm

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Fine Art and Canvas Prints by Giclée Print Limited

The Aussies love 'em too!

You'll agree, we're sure, that there is sweet satisfaction is knowing that one's work is appreciated.

Lisa Crandall of ImageMe produces work that is appreciated in a very measurable way: she keeps winning awards and accolades for her beautifully crafted images!

The latest trophies in Lisa's cabinet (which is getting pretty crowded) were awarded for all four images that were submitted to the Australian Professional Photography Awards. Fantastic result Lisa - well done!

And - speaking of appreciation - we're very grateful for the kind words of acknowledgement for the work we do for Lisa - proud to have been mentioned on the ImageMe Blog here.

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See website: www.gicleeprint.co.nz

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"Our View" - Part of the 2009 Auckland Festival of Photography

We have proudly sponsored "Our View" and exhibition curated by Xavier Radic as part of the 2009 Auckland Festival of Photography. The works were exhibited between 26 May and 16 June at the Nathan Homestead.

Congratulations to the winning entrants, below:

1st Prize: 36" x 24" Stretched Canvas Print or $225 value - Lynn Hedges, for ‘Detroit Airport’.

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Runner up: 24" x 16" Stretched Canvas Print or $145 value - Diane Lane, for ‘Late Autumn View’.

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Merit Prize: 8" x 12" Stretched Canvas Print or $85 value - Bruce Nairn, for ‘Postman’s Dilemma’.

Well done, everyone - we look forward to meeting you all and producing your prize prints!

Fine Art Printing and Photos on Canvas: www.gicleeprint.co.nz

Photographers! > Useful Learning Website

Courtesy of the North Shore Photographic Society:

The link below is one I've just come across and covers some useful tips and training. Although directed at Canon equipment users, most of what I've looked at so far would be equally valuable applied to other brands.

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=HomePageAct

Muriwai Arts Trail 2009 - Alan Ashworth

The imagery of Alan (Al) Ashworth brings the canvas alive with the raw energy of our untamed coastlines.  To view a collection of simply stunning pieces, from canvasses we've made for him right through to some classic framed works from other galleries, please visit the Muriwai Arts Trail 2009.  We know you'll love Alan's work.

http://www.muriwaiarts.co.nz/artists/photography/alan_ashworth/ashworth.htm

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Fine Art Printing and Photos on Canvas: www.gicleeprint.co.nz

What looks best - Fine Art paper print at A3 or A4?

We have recently answered a series of questions from a potential client asking about our Fine Art paper printing services, and the costs for these.  These questions started with very general pricing enquiries, and ended up ultimately with the followinmg question, which I hadn't been asked before: 

"Now before sending you  some photos I would like to ask one more thing: to hang a photo on a  wall what is a suitable size? A3? A4?"

This was our reply:

"I guess it depends on the nature of the image itself (is it something best appreciated at close inspection for small details?); related to this is the viewing distance (i.e. - how far away from the image will you be standing, usually, when observing it?).  Also consider the size of the wall (too small a print will look silly, too big a print could dominate the room and look cumbersome).  The size of your mat and frame will play a part in the appearance, and finally of course cost is always a consideration.

 

In my office and in our home I have a number of canvas and paper prints of varying sizes.  Right in front of me is a HUGE seascape of a rolling surf wave - this is something like 60 x 38 inches!  It's wonderful, and I can stare at it for hours - even sitting right in front of it (it fills my field of view).  Slightly further away on the wall to my left are some small 8x12 snaps of family members - I can see them clearly enough, but I'd probably go over and look closely to enjoy them better.  Adjacent to these are some really great family photos at 24x16 (about A2) or 24 x18 .  This is one of our most popular and versatile print sizes.  It's four times the size of an A4, and less then twice the price - so represents extremley good value.

 

You don't need to be restricted to these sizes, of course - you can always crop the image to a shape that is perhaps more square, or wider and more panoramic.

 

If the choice *must* be between A4 and A3 I'd go A3 as a good general purpose print size.  BUT - if you order an A4, I'll have to charge you for an A3 anyway as the smallest paper we have available is 17" wide - i.e. you can have 2 x A4 prints OR 1 x A3 print on the same physical page, for $28 plus GST on fine art paper.  (Remember there is normally a $50 minimum - so you could have 1 x A2 print, OR 2 x A3 prints, OR 4 x A4 prints, OR 1 x A3 AND 2 x A4 prints on the page, all for $56 (excl.)"

As an after-thought, it bears mentioning that the ISO A4 etc. sizes do not necessarily relate all that well to photographs, which are typically of either a 4:3 or 3:2 ratio.  There's always some compromise!

For readers outside of NZ, please note all prices are in NZD (New Zealand Dollars) and for overseas orders there is no GST (sales tax) component to add.   Overseas postage can be very inexpensively arranged for flat-packed or rolled prints.

We hope this answer is of help to anyone thinking about the best way to present their work.

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Fine Art Printing and Photos on Canvas: www.gicleeprint.co.nz