Longevity is a requirement. The longer a fine art reproduction can last, the better. We’ve learned a lot about longevity in the last seventeen years. New products have been developed, and careful choices in combining ink, substrate and coating have extended the life to very acceptable limits for a skittish art buying public. According to John Doe (that’s his real name), spokesman for the GPA, digital fine art longevity means much more than fading. There are five points that we use when evaluating various combinations of inks, substrates and coating.
- No cracking or handling flaws. When temperature and humidity cycle, the layers in coated canvas tend to exhibit hairline cracks over time.
- Color variations from lot to lot or color variations that occur due to the yellow cast of coating materials.
- The ability to maintain contrast when combining elements. The substrates digital printers use can reduce the color gamut.
- Deterioration or fading due to light exposure. Art usually receives low light levels; however delicate inks still have to last decades.
- Substrate integrity (from lot-to-lot, and over time). The sandwich called a digital fine art print cannot chemically react over the life of the print.
Not everyone needs or wants to pay for top quality. As an example, publishers who sell into the lower priced décor market don’t require longevity. They freely interpret the original to compliment color trends. Variations from piece to piece are tolerable, as long as the product is pleasing. When we think of reproducing art, we need to keep in mind there are two standards. Confusing the two kills the market for the one. We’ll examine longevity from the perspective of Tru Giclée because it’s the most demanding
EQUIPMENT
Technology is the toolbox of today’s craftsman. You simply cannot produce the highest quality (art) with inexpensive tools. Save money by buying right the first time. If you can’t see the image accurately, you obviously can’t print it. There’s lots of color monitors available, but we’ve settled on the Barco Reference Calibrator. As a practice, members of the G.P.A., who print Tru Giclée, print on IRIS 3047 and Roland Hi Fi Jet printing machines. Recent developments with other technology such as Epson printers are candidates for inclusion. Direct digital capture of an original is done on a ZBE/Phase One digital camera.
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