Emerging artists frequently ask the question:
"How do I make print (reproductions) from my drawings [or paintings]?" This is often asked after numerous attempts at making reproductions - usually with disappointing results. Many artists think that finding a good printer is the problem, when in fact the secret is in the image preparation!
The key to getting good reproductions is the image scan & prep. You need to start with a top quality high-res image scan. This scan then needs to be edited for reproduction use via a program like Photoshop. Once that is done, the rest is easy - you can have the end result file printed through a variety of outlets - a local printer, a print-on-demand website, etc. (My current favorite source for POD (print on demand) fine art prints is Fine Art America. I have a number of my open edition
Horse, Dog and Cat prints available there now.)
Preparing images for reproduction is a specialized area, and what needs to be learned & understood could not be covered in a single blog post. So, if you can find a local graphic designer that has a good scanner and specializes in pre-press work, that would help a lot. If not, you might try
Fine Print Imaging. They are based out of Colorado and can do just the scan, or the editing work and even the reproductions. I used them once when I had a drawing too large for my scanner and their service was great.
Slide show courtesy of Fine Art America:
