Digital Prints

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Mastering Digital Printing
Step 4: Proofing
How proofing is handled can vary widely among printmakers, but the purpose is to show
you one or more proof prints so that you can see with your own eyes how the final prints
will look. (The number of proofs will be determined by the policy of the printmaker and
what level of service you’ve purchased.) The best scenario is for you to view the proof in
a professional viewing booth at the printmaker’s facility. This way, the people working on
the print can be brought out to discuss any alterations or “moves” with the image.
When does the reproduction proof match the original? “When the artist says: ‘That’s it—
print it!’” explains Chris Wade. “Ultimately for us, it’s all about understanding the client’s
expectations. We have some who want ‘as close as possible’ and others who see the printmaking
process as an extension of their artistic process. The latter group usually wants us
to make the prints bolder and brighter than the originals, or they have some other concept
in mind for the prints. Others forgo proofing with us entirely because they know our
standards and accept them. The amount of time we spend in preparing an initial proof is
relative to our clients’ needs, budgets, and expectations.”
Proofing can be the most time-delaying part of the process when working with outside
print providers. Typical turnaround time is one week between proofs, and there can be
more than one round of proofs, depending on any problems encountered. Note that preliminary
proofs are typically returned and remain the property of the printmaker.
The final, approved proof is called the BAT or bon à tirer, (“good to pull or print” in
French). The artist signs this print and returns it to the printmaker. It’s then used as the
guide to which all subsequent prints are matched.
Step 5: Printing
The final print or prints are then output. The advantage of digital printing is that prints
can be made one at a time, and it’s normal to print in small groups, depending on the discount
the printmaker offers for quantity. Jim Davis does not recommend printing more
than 10 prints at once. “Unless the artist is well-known, it will take them some time to sell
those 10 prints,” he advises. “Financially, it’s not good business to carry unsold inventory.”
Step 6: Finishing and Curating
Curating is what happens to a print after it’s output. This is the step where each print is
inspected for quality (and fixed or rejected if any major imperfections are found), cleaned,
finished with any protective coatings, mounted, and framed, as needed. All trimming or
special edge tearing or deckling is also done at this point. When the printmaker uses a
chop (an embossed, identifying printer’s mark), it is applied in one of the lower corners.
If the prints are to be hand-embellished, that is also done at this stage.