Producing the final digital continuous tone photographic
print
We installed the U.S.-made Chromira photographic
printer to get better control over our fine art prints. The printer
and its processor must be able to produce a neutral
gray scale at all times, or the color prints will vary. We are
able to balance both the printer and its processor so that we
have the total control necessary to maintain consistent color.
We constantly monitor the balance of the Chromira and its RA-4
processor, and we check and rebalance whenever we change a roll
of paper. Only by having the printer in-house and under our direct
control could this happen.
The Chromira printer is a 30" wide roll printer,
printing up to 30" by any length. The Chromira prints at
300 pixels per
inch (using 425 optic fibers to expose the photographic paper).
Prints look as good as or better than any LightJet print. Since
the Chromira uses LEDs instead of expensive lasers, its cost and
its upkeep are kept under control. (For more information on the
ZBE Chromira printer please check out ZBE's web site at www.zbe.com.)
Once we have a corrected digital file, we are ready
to make the final print. An ICC color profile is added to the
file as we make the final print, in order to match the file to
the type of material being printed. Standard Fuji matte FA5, Fuji
gloss FA5, Fujiflex™ Supergloss
and Kodak Metallic all require different color profiles. (See
"Options for
continuous tone photographic prints" for more information.)
The file is transferred to a Windows NT system that
runs the Chromira and exposes the Fuji material. Processing is
done in a 30" wide Colex RA-4 processor using Fuji chemicals.
All used bleach-fix is collected and processed for silver recovery
and proper disposal.
The final prints are trimmed, inspected, carefully
packaged, and shipped to you. All prints have one-inch borders
for ease of handling.
