FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can my artwork be reproduced?
I can reproduce works on paper, canvas and many other materials. I can bring out brushstrokes and other fine details in your artwork so that your prints have a three dimensional quality. I can digitally capture very small or extremely large works and create enormous digital captures of those works. Diptychs and triptychs can be photographed. Gloss on paintings can be controlled or completely eliminated.
If your artwork is framed, I have a professional framer who can disassemble the frame so the artwork can be photographed, and reassemble the frame once the photography has been completed. I can also shoot though glass if this this the only option.
If your original is an old drawing, photograph or print that is yellowed, fragile, stained or torn - I can photograph it and then digitally correct these problems on the capture file, so that perfect prints can then be created.
I can photograph works with metallic paints, but unfortunately gold and silver inks are not available so the metallic effect is not possible - just the color of the metal.
I can also make prints from transparencies and existing digital files. If you work can not be moved, I can travel to your location and shoot the artwork there.
I am a digital artist and my work exists only as a file which can be viewed on a computer. Can you make prints of my work?
Yes. If your work was created in illustrator or some other program like it, I can make prints for you. You'll need to get a proof first before I make prints from these files to insure that they will print correctly. Go here for more info.
My work has been sold or is not available. Can you make giclée prints from 4x5 transparencies?
Yes, however the quality of your prints will depends on the quality of the transparency you have. Go here for more info.
Can you make giclée prints from slides?
I have made very large display prints from really good slide scans. I'd need to look at your slides to tell you what is possible.Scanning fees depends of the size print your want. Proof pricing is the same as for transparencies. Go here for more info
I have a good digital camera and use it to photograph my artwork or other subjects. Can you make prints from my files?
I can create prints of your artwork or other subjects but the quality of the prints depends entirely on the original digital image. The images I create of artwork with my equipment are extremely large, highly-detailed and color-accurate. I have photographed thousands of paintings and use many different techniques to get exceptional images for printing. You probably won't be able to get the quality that I do with your files - but you never know. Bring a flash card with your images to the studio and I'll take a look at them with you to see what can be done. Go here for more info.
As I am writing this, I'm looking at a 32 x 47 inch print on canvas hanging in my studio proofing area that was made from a good quality digital camera. I magnified this image in Photoshop to get this large size, but the image is black and white and best viewed at at distance of six feet or so. I can do the same with your images, but you'll need to have tests made before I would make prints.
How do you get accurate color?
Every aspect of my process - from lighting, to photography, to proofing and printing - is highly controlled, and my cameras, monitors and printer are carefully calibrated.
I paint very large paintings that would be difficult to bring to your studio. Is there anything I can do? Can you shoot on location?
Although you may not want to do so, some artists send me un-stretched canvases that have been rolled up and packed in a mailing tube When I get theses canvases I simply unroll them and shoot them on a wall in my studio.
I can make digital captures of your work on location.
Is it more expensive to have my work shot on location?
Yes. Please call and I'll work up a quote for you.
Can you reproduce a copyright protected image?
No. I am serious about copyright protection. Written permission is required before I will even consider reproducing a work of created by someone other than the client.
What size capture file should I get?
What is the largest reproduction you will ever want of your work? This will tell you what size capture you should order. Don't order a small size capture if you are certain you'll want a much larger print in the future - I'll have to charge you again for another capture.
How many prints can I order? Is there a minimum order? What about reprints?
The beauty of giclée printing is that your can order any quantify of prints. As would be expected the cost per print goes down the more prints you order. If you need larger quantities than those listed please ask.
I want bordered prints. Do you charge for the area that is printed or to the edge of the border?
My paper print prices are based on the outside dimension including the border. I automatically include a border on canvas prints for stretching purposes, so use the image size only for determining the price of canvas prints.
Should I get fine art paper or canvas prints?
It depends on your original work of art. Water color paintings should be reproduced on water color paper. Works on paper with lots of pencil, ink or other fine detail look better on a smooth fine art paper. If you original paintings are on canvas, then stretched canvas prints will look the best, especially if the original painting has a glossy surface and fine surface details.
Prints on stretched canvas look great. And many times you'll be hard pressed to tell an reproduction on canvas from an original work of art. These prints are given two coats of a roll-on, archival coating that significantly extends their life and brings out the the full range of color and tone found in the original painting. I can coat you canvas prints with a glossy, luster or matt finish. If you're not sure which you'd like I can show you samples when you come to the studio.
I have a wonderful 100% rag watercolor paper that many of my clients really like. I also have a warm, smooth, cotton rag paper that is ideal for works on paper, or for print of paintings that were originally on oil, panels or other media. When you come to the studio I can show you samples of canvas and paper that I have available as well as sample books of many other fine papers or canvas I can get for you if you want something specific.
I understand that you use custom lighting when making the giclée capture. What kind of lighting should I ask for?
What kind of lighting makes your work look the best? Do your paintings look best under gallery lights, bright daylight, or soft diffused skylight? What are your thoughts about reflections? Do you want me to totally eliminate surface reflections or show them slightly to give your paintings a little more sparkle? What about brush strokes? Are they important or not?
Since I have been photographing paintings for artists long before I got into the Giclée art reproduction business, I know there will always be an ideal. Look at your work under a variety of conditions and try to figure out what that ideal is for you, and I'll do my best to recreate that lighting at my studio for you.
What are your suggestion for preparing my work for the digital capture?
If your paintings are framed, please remove them from the frames if that is easy to do. If you can't, I have a professional framer that can do disassemble and reassemble your frame before and after I photograph your artwork.
Where is your studio and what is the best way of getting there?
Directions to my studio are under the Directions/Contact section of this site. Please download my directions and print them out - don't Google me and use those directions! I've tested my directions and you won't get lost! Those clients who use Google directions often get lost! I am located on the second floor of a long two-story brick building that has a freight elevator. The left end is occupied by Marty's Furniture Company. I'm at the the right end of this two story building, to the far right when you are facing it. Please call when you arrive and I'll come down and help you unload your work and either carry it upstairs or load it into the freight elevator.
How long will it to have my work reproduced?
Digital capture and proofing takes a week. Printing generally takes another week or less. These times may be longer or shorter depending on how much work I have at the studio.
How are the prints delivered?
Prints come in archival, clear sleeves. If you have a portfolio, please bring one.
What is your studio like and is it in a safe area with free parking?
My new studio has central air-conditioning, a security system, 25 foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and two giant windows. It is in very secure area and there is free parking.
I don't have a car. Is there a T station nearby?
My studio is just a ten minute walk from the Oak Grove MBTA train station. If you have a Zipcar account, there are several cars parked there for your convenience. Better yet, simply call me and I'll pick you and your work up at the station. I also have a van if youwould like me to pick up your work for photography.
Do you do framing?
Yes, but not directly. I work in collaboration with a very good frame shop here in Melrose.
I have a painting that I thought was real but now I'm thinking it might be a reproduction. How can I tell?
If the painting you bought is old it will show signs on age on the canvas and stretcher bars. If is is a new work, brush strokes should be obvious. Sometimes a thick, clear glaze is applied after Giclée printing to make it look like a painting. If you use a very strong magnifying glass, you should be able to tell. If you are unsure, bring the painting by and I'll tell you. Most times I won't charge. If things are not so clear-cut there will be a consulting fee.
I'd like help with graphic design for a postcard or a brochure to promote my work, can you help me with this? What about web design?
Yes, I work with several excellent graphic designers who can assist with print and web projects of any kind. I have worked with these designers on books, family histories, gallery guides and web sites.
Do you guarantee the quality of your work?
The quality of all work I do is unconditionally guaranteed. I want you to be completely happy so you'll tell your friends and keep coming back for more.
Do you guarantee the longevity of your prints?
I use archival inks, papers and print finishes for my prints and the estimated print life should be well over one hundred years under ideal conditions. Unfortunately I can't personally guarantee what ink, paper and coating companies claim as the expected life, even if tests show this should be the case. Nobody can.
If you have further questions, please call! 781-665-1122 and ask for Steve. Thanks.