The Collaborative Process
Who we are
Laumont Photographics has been a cornerstone of the fine art printing community in New York City for decades. Established with a vision to provide artists and photographers with exceptional quality and personalized service, we have built a reputation for excellence that spans generations. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology, allowing us to offer a comprehensive range of services, including UV and inkjet printing, B&W and chromogenic printing, high-resolution scanning, custom framing, professional mounting, retouching, and secure crating. We are committed to preserving the integrity and beauty of your artwork, ensuring that every piece we handle is treated with the utmost care and precision.
Our history is deeply rooted in a passion for fine art and photography. Over the years, we have collaborated with both established and emerging artists, helping them bring their creative visions to life. Our team of skilled professionals brings a wealth of experience and expertise to every project, ensuring that each print meets our exacting standards of excellence. At Laumont Photographics, we believe in the power of collaboration and communication, working closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and deliver results that exceed their expectations. Whether you're preparing for a gallery exhibition, preserving a treasured piece, or looking to enhance your collection, we are here to support you every step of the way. Discover why Laumont Photographics is the preferred choice for fine art printing and comprehensive photo services in NYC and beyond.
First Steps in Collaborative Printing:
Understanding the ProcessStarting with the final presentation setting in mind and working backward is a strategic approach to determine the most suitable process for your image or project. Each printing process and material comes with its unique limitations and capabilities. By envisioning the artwork's final display environment first, you can effectively narrow down options that align with your ultimate vision.
For example, if you envision your artwork on matte watercolor paper for its aesthetic appeal, but the intended display location is outdoors where the artwork will face exposure to light, temperature variations, and humidity, you must consider materials that are resilient to these elements. By considering the display conditions first, you can select a printing process and material that not only complements your artistic vision but also ensures the longevity and durability of the final piece.
Choosing the right substrate or printing process involves evaluating various factors, each contributing unique qualities that can impact the suitability of the project. Factors such as scale, color and tone reproduction, texture, longevity, and sheen play a vital role in the selection process.
Through time, collaborative printing has evolved significantly. The advent of digital technology, for instance, empowers artists with the convenience of on-demand printing, reducing the risks associated with prolonged storage. However, this progress comes with its own set of challenges, particularly concerning the concept of print editions. It's crucial to understand that achieving consistent quality in prints is best attained when the entire edition is produced simultaneously.
In the overview provided, we detail the strengths and weaknesses of each printing process available at Laumont. Additionally, tailored recommendations are offered for selecting the most suitable processes for common applications, ensuring optimal outcomes for each unique project. By considering these factors and insights, you can make informed decisions that align with your project's specific requirements and vision.
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This approach ensures potential clients understand the nuances of our printing options and can make informed decisions based on their specific needs
Printing Processes
UV Pigment Prints:
UV printing, initially preferred for durable outdoor applications like billboards, is now recognized as a versatile and high-quality color printing method. This advanced technology uses inks that combine pigment with a liquid polymer. When exposed to UV light, the ink quickly cures, creating a scratch-resistant and instantly dry surface.
The printing process can be adapted for use on various soft materials such as paper, primed canvas, linen, fabric, and vinyl, with sizes of up to 98 inches in the shorter dimension. It also extends to rigid substrates like metal, wood, and glass. Our equipment accommodates flatbed printing for items up to 63x98 inches and 2 inches thick, with the capability to handle oversized prints up to 80x160 inches.
Our machine, the Swiss Q Impala 1st generation, originally designed for large outdoor signage, has been customized by Laumont for high-quality Fine Art printing. We use Swiss Q inks in colors such as Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, White, and Primer for preparing materials for ink application. The durability of UV prints with these inks is estimated to last up to 7 years in full sunlight and weather conditions, comparable to Epson prints.
Examples of exhibitions and links to Instagram are available for reference.
Archival Pigment Prints:
Archival pigment prints are renowned for their longevity and quality on paper and canvas, setting industry standards. With a sophisticated 12-color ink set, our printers produce exceptional products known for fine detail, a wide color range, and compatibility with premium papers. Prints can be as wide as 64 inches, ensuring top-notch quality for large formats.
Choosing a paper without optical brighteners ensures print stability over time. We offer options to print entire editions at once, reducing costs, or print on demand to avoid storage concerns. Archival pigment printing, also known as giclée printing, is favored for its versatility and archival properties, attracting photographers, artists, and printmakers.
Our studio printers collaborate with clients to explore the possibilities of archival printing on papers such as cotton rag or Baryta, with widths of up to 64 inches and various lengths. Different paper options are available, offering choices like cotton rag, canvas, Japanese luster, glossy, and satin.
While we encourage archival choices, there are many suitable papers available that, when stored or framed correctly, can yield outstanding results.
Chromogenic Prints:
Chromogenic prints, commonly known as C-prints, are affordable options with finishes ranging from Matte to Glossy. Specialized materials such as Fuji-Flex and Duratrans are available for creating impactful lightbox displays. This printing style offers high dynamic range and smooth gradients, tailored to each client's preferences.
Our expert printers use state-of-the-art technology to produce digital C-prints with precise color, tone, and detail adjustments. Custom prints and transparencies are crafted on light-sensitive papers using printers like Durst Lambda and Lightjet 500xl, accommodating sizes up to 50" x 100 feet or 72" x 120." Larger multi-segmented pieces are also possible upon request.
Various types of papers are offered, including C-print for matte or glossy finishes, C-flex for high-gloss prints, C-metallic for a polished look, and C-clear and C-trans for transparent materials suitable for illuminated displays.
For each printing process, the pros and cons can be discussed based on individual project requirements and preferences.
Digital Black and White Silver Prints:
Our digital black and white silver prints are a seamless blend of traditional and digital fiber printing on a variety of archival fine art and photographic fiber papers. Our master printers specialize in producing custom-made prints of the highest quality, capturing the full tonal range from highlights to subtle shadow details.
Utilizing the best of both traditional and contemporary digital techniques, we maintain the grain and resolution characteristics typical of traditional printing methods. Additionally, we offer specialty toning options for prints sizes up to 50" x 96" in selenium, sepia, and gold-chloride hues. Our prints can be as wide as 50" x 120", ensuring exceptional quality for larger formats