Comments on: comparison of four papers for fine art prints http://kathrynsemolic.com/blog/2007/05/23/comparison-of-four-papers-for-fine-art-prints.html paintings, studio updates, and ideas about art and life Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:51:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: ksemolic http://kathrynsemolic.com/blog/2007/05/23/comparison-of-four-papers-for-fine-art-prints.html#comment-7808 ksemolic Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:21:25 +0000 http://kathrynsemolic.com/blog/2007/05/23/comparison-of-four-papers-for-fine-art-prints.html#comment-7808 Hi Judith, You bring up a very good point. I have looked into the calibration software, but at this time I do not use a calibration program. The way I get the correct color is by adjusting settings in the printer control panel for each painting and making small prints until I find what works best for that painting. You can control a large number of options in the printer control panel, right down to the amount of a particular color of ink. After working with a few pieces, it becomes easier to predict the best settings for each painting. It is possible to save the settings in the printer control panel and name them individually, but I prefer using a list of paintings and their best settings on paper because each time I print, I get a refresher in what works and why and it helps me be more accurate when I begin working with a new painting. As with most things, I find that patience and practice are the most essential skills! Of course, a good eye for color and an ability to recognize patterns are required, but as artists, we have a lot of experience to draw on in that area. The one thing I find calibration kits cannot do is control the variations between different monitors. I never know what my images look like online when viewed on other systems and when someone orders a print there is undoubtedly some variation from what is viewed on their screen. I remind myself that I am the choosiest person about the color reproduction of my prints and some things are simply out of my control. Happily, everyone who has ordered a print from me after viewing my work online has been pleased with the quality. And I am pleased to know that I am offering them a print that does justice to the original. If you decide to invest in a calibration kit, I would be interested in hearing about your results. Thanks for reading my blog and thank you for your thoughtful question, Kathryn Hi Judith,
You bring up a very good point. I have looked into the calibration software, but at this time I do not use a calibration program. The way I get the correct color is by adjusting settings in the printer control panel for each painting and making small prints until I find what works best for that painting. You can control a large number of options in the printer control panel, right down to the amount of a particular color of ink. After working with a few pieces, it becomes easier to predict the best settings for each painting. It is possible to save the settings in the printer control panel and name them individually, but I prefer using a list of paintings and their best settings on paper because each time I print, I get a refresher in what works and why and it helps me be more accurate when I begin working with a new painting. As with most things, I find that patience and practice are the most essential skills! Of course, a good eye for color and an ability to recognize patterns are required, but as artists, we have a lot of experience to draw on in that area.

The one thing I find calibration kits cannot do is control the variations between different monitors. I never know what my images look like online when viewed on other systems and when someone orders a print there is undoubtedly some variation from what is viewed on their screen. I remind myself that I am the choosiest person about the color reproduction of my prints and some things are simply out of my control. Happily, everyone who has ordered a print from me after viewing my work online has been pleased with the quality. And I am pleased to know that I am offering them a print that does justice to the original.
If you decide to invest in a calibration kit, I would be interested in hearing about your results. Thanks for reading my blog and thank you for your thoughtful question, Kathryn

]]> By: judith utter http://kathrynsemolic.com/blog/2007/05/23/comparison-of-four-papers-for-fine-art-prints.html#comment-7773 judith utter Sun, 15 Jul 2007 02:51:12 +0000 http://kathrynsemolic.com/blog/2007/05/23/comparison-of-four-papers-for-fine-art-prints.html#comment-7773 in reading your comments about making prints from paintings id like to ask if you have had any trouble with screen ,printer and original matching.i use r1800printer epsonv700 scanner and epson velvet fine art paper.do you use gregtag mcbeth or eye one,etc calibration kits? i work in watercolor and am embarking on making prints. some came out good others not,looking for consistency-please send tips in reading your comments about making prints from paintings id like to ask if you have had any trouble with screen ,printer and original matching.i use r1800printer epsonv700 scanner and epson velvet fine art paper.do you use gregtag mcbeth or eye one,etc calibration kits?
i work in watercolor and am embarking on making prints. some came out good others not,looking for consistency-please send tips

]]> By: a work in progress » offering fine art prints of your paintings http://kathrynsemolic.com/blog/2007/05/23/comparison-of-four-papers-for-fine-art-prints.html#comment-4725 a work in progress » offering fine art prints of your paintings Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:25:24 +0000 http://kathrynsemolic.com/blog/2007/05/23/comparison-of-four-papers-for-fine-art-prints.html#comment-4725 [...] Photographic papers offer phenomenal quality and longevity, but unless your paintings are truly off-beat, an off-beat paper can hinder your sales. Although most art buyers do not handle the packaged print, matte paper with some weight to it is preferred. I have posted an entry with a photo about some of the papers I’ve been experimenting with and you can read that here. [...] [...] Photographic papers offer phenomenal quality and longevity, but unless your paintings are truly off-beat, an off-beat paper can hinder your sales. Although most art buyers do not handle the packaged print, matte paper with some weight to it is preferred. I have posted an entry with a photo about some of the papers I’ve been experimenting with and you can read that here. [...]

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