How are prints made from digital files?
The photographer's original transparency or negative
is scanned into the digital world with the very best high-end
scanner, a Heidelberg Tango updated with Newcolor 7000 software
(making our Tango equivalent to Heidelberg’s new Primescan scanner).
All transparencies are mounted to the scanning drum under clear
Mylar in special Kami mounting fluid for the best possible scan.
The ICC scanner profile is added to the images as they are scanned.
The digital file is then brought into one of our powerful Macintosh
workstations. We try to accurately reproduce your transparency
or follow your color instructions. Dirt and scratches are removed.
The digital image is then transferred to the digital printer.
There are two ways to make prints from digital
files. For continuous tone photographic prints, we use light to
expose color photographic materials. The Durst Lambda and the
Cymbolic Sciences LightJet use red, green and blue lasers to expose
the prints. The Chromira, a second generation printer we have
installed, uses red, green and blue LEDs to expose the prints.
Non-photographic prints can be made by spraying ink (or pigments)
onto paper or some other medium. (More information on inkjet prints
here.)
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But the quality is
in the details. Let us explain further…
