Proofing and Editing Services

Proofing

Proofing is the process of preparing an image for print. Once your artwork has been scanned, the digital capture is usually color matched to the original for the most faithful reproduction. We offer two levels of proofing depending on the needs and budget of the client:

Screen Match Proofing: Our most affordable proofing option, screen match proofing makes sense when exact color match to the original is not critical. We color balance the image on our Sony Artisan under controlled lighting conditions to get a great match to the original and then produce a proof print on a custom proofing paper designed to accurately show the overall color balance of the digital image.

Print Match Proofing: For the closest color match tuned to the paper the final prints will be on, print match proofing is the right choice. After screen match proofing, we produce an 11 x 14 in. proof test print on the same paper as will be used for the final prints. This is compared to the original under controlled lighting conditions. Additional color adjustments are made to tighten up the match to the original and another proof test print is pulled. When we are satisfied, the proof then goes to the artist for their approval. If needed, additional adjustments can be made to the image and another proof created. Once a proof is approved by the artist, it is signed by the artist and then archived as the BAT (bon à tiré). The archived BAT proof becomes the reference that will be used for all future prints in the edition. Up to three proof test prints are included.

Image Adjustments Included With Proofing: Besides color corrections, both screen and print match proofing include the following basic image adjustments: Cropping, squaring, tonal range correction and capture sharpening.

Proof Sizes: Screen match proofs are on letter size proofing paper. Print match proofs are a larger 11 x 14 in size and on the same premium art paper or canvas that will be used for the final prints.

Digital Editing

We have the digital editing expertise to handle the most demanding needs. We can handle adjustments for color balance, tonal range, and sharpness. Scratches, dust specks, and other imperfections can be repaired. Other custom digital editing work can be done on request. Our proofing services include basic image adjustments but additional work is a separate cost. All our adjustments are done as layers in Photoshop to always preserve the fidelity of the original capture.

Custom Editing: We can perform custom digital adjustments like signature removal for works that are going to be resigned by the artist as limited editions. Another example is image extensions to allow an image to wrap around the sides of a canvas that is stretched using a gallery profile.

Colorspace: We can deliver images converted to any colorspace that you need: AdobeRGB, ProPhoto, Ektachrome, etc. Our in-house editing profile is the Beta RGB from Bruce Lindbloom. It has a larger gamut than AdobeRGB to prevent clipping colors and preserve the complete tonal range.

8 Bit Versus 16 Bit: In most cases, we find that working in 8 bit color produces excellent results. When the situation requires, our digital equipment and editing environment can accommodate 16 bit images.

Restoration

Occasionally, we need to restore or otherwise improve the digital scan. This happens for a variety of reasons including:

• Excess scratches
• Severe dust problem (client provided scan)
• Color problems due to poor film processing or age

Our proofing services include basic image adjustments but when significant work is required that will be an extra cost, we'll let you know first and you can decide what you'd like us to do.