Digital Prints

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Mastering Digital Printing
This is why I often recommend that newcomers to digital printing start off by jobbing
out their first few projects to an outside printmaker. This sets a benchmark of what is good
and what can be achieved. Some imagemakers end up being so happy using a particular
printmaker that they continue to work this way, even going so far as to fly in from other
locations for the printing sessions.
Time and Focus
Many photographers and artists believe that their time is best spent creating their art; labs
and print shops are best left to others. Printmaker Lynn Lown says, “As a commercial photographer
for years, it was common wisdom that you should stay out of the darkroom.
You can make much more money as a shooter if you are good at that. If you are good at
the lab, you should stop shooting and open one. A pro needs a lab so he or she can spend
more time shooting.”
Other types of image-makers may feel they are in the same boat. Digital artist Ileana
explains that using a printmaker “allows me to focus on the creative aspects of making the
picture. It would have taken me a lot of time and many trials to produce a piece that I
would consider satisfying. Until I gain enough knowledge about printmaking, I can have
my work printed quickly and easily.”
For some, then, it comes down to a simple question: Do you want to spend the time yourself
to learn about the printmaking process, or do you want to pay someone who’s already
been there and back many times?
Legendary rock artist Stanley Mouse
(www.mousestudios.com) does his own
printing and uses outside printmakers
to produce his higher-quality
reproduction prints. He’s shown
holding The Jester from the cover of
the Grateful Dead songbook.