Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
I started working in fine art printing two years ago now and have expanded into another field of photography. I am the proud owner of a large format printer and can now create my images myself from start to finish, at least up to A3+ size. I have now made over 200 prints with it. The first attempts were frustrating and costly. Ink and paper rushed through the printer. I even had to endure a print head change in the workshop. It cost 500 Bugs. More than I paid for the used printer. I struggled with whether it was worth it. Ultimately, it could have been a total loss.
But it was worth it! My results are getting better and better and are now hanging on various walls. In Europe and America! There, in America even completely: In North, Central and South America!
It’s a great feeling to print your own pictures on high-quality paper and hold them in your hands. They are much better than lab printouts, although they can certainly produce good prints on high-quality paper. But then they are many times more expensive than your own prints. It can get really expensive if you decide after the print has been delivered, for example to correct the saturation in one place or another. It’s cheaper and quicker when you print your own.
I would like to share my experiences with you on this blog. I have decided to start a small series of articles about fine art printing. This differs enormously from “normal letter printing”!
It starts with the careful choice of paper and ink and ends with maintaining the printer. A fine art printer requires attention and care. Regular printing should be fine. At least one print every two weeks. While my office printer requires almost no maintenance (just put paper and ink in), things are completely different with the fine art printer. I also have to read the weather report: How warm would it be in the next few days? Can the printer stay in the study or should I move it to the cooler ground floor so it doesn’t dry out? All questions that I never ask myself when it comes to office printers…
So, let’s go! Let’s start the series…
In the next post I will briefly introduce my fine art printer! It’s an Epson, a slightly older model. So much has been said.
Since I’m not an experienced blogger, I have no idea what I’m getting myself into. But I think I should create a post every 2 weeks. And if it ends up being one every 3 or even just 4 weeks: well, then so be it!