Digital Prints

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Mastering Digital Printing
Besides the obvious help with digital painting or drawing, tablets also allow for easier
retouching and other kinds of image handwork. In fact, there are many photographers,
artists, and designers who have replaced the mouse on their desk with a tablet for everyday
use. “I’ve had one for years,” says Huntsville, Alabama, designer Brien O’Brien of
OBGraphiX. “I use it for everything. My mouse is in a drawer somewhere, I think. I haven’t
seen it in ages.”
Tablets come in all sizes, shapes, and types, and Wacom (see Figure 8.1) is the dominant
player with its popular models: Graphire (basic), Intuous2 (professional), and Cintiq (work
directly on the screen).
What are the most important things to look for in choosing a graphics tablet? Size (very
personal), resolution (more is better), and pressure (more is still better).
Internet Connection
This is not really equipment-related, but it’s becoming more and more necessary for photographers
and artists to have a high-speed connection to the Internet. Here are some common
uses for the Internet among imagemakers: downloading software and software
updates; downloading users’ guides and being connected to serialize or register some products;
researching art information; browsing and maintaining art-related websites; downloading
images from stock agencies; sending image files to galleries, colleagues, or outside
printmakers; and quickly perusing and contributing to online forums and discussion lists.
The more time you spend online, the more frustrating the old 56K-dial-up connection
becomes. Cable modems, DSL, and dedicated high-speed lines are the way of the modern,
online world.
A ScanDisk USB Flash drive. It's easy
to carry one of these in your pocket
and then just plug it into any
computer's USB slot