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Over 3,000 historic giclee prints, 16 artists and 40 complete sets
Any questions?
We are more than happy to help. Just send us a message, and we will be in touch
Our prints are not posters; they are perfect facsimiles. They are identical to the originals, and your response to them will be identical to your appreciation for the original great artworks.
To be able to achieve 100% accuracy in the facsimile, the input ratio must exactly match the output ratio and be exceptionally high in resolution. If we ultimately want to print with 2880 ink drops per inch, the pixels of the digital file are also necessary to prevent interpolation of pixels.
This scanning camera is state of the art when it comes to digitalization of originals. With its massive resolution of 308 megapixels and its perfect exposure, Cruse is capable of extremely accurate 1/1 digitalization of originals. The original is scanned under the lens and illuminated so that every millimeter receives exactly the same exposure.
By achieving an exceptionally good balance of white, grey and black, and by calibration and the application of color management, the maximum range of the photographic color spectrum is utilized.
It’s not for nothing that the major museums in the world also use these high quality fine art scanners.
Depending on the format and resolution, scanning of the original takes between 15 and 40 minutes.
Small brown patches of acidification in the paper frequently appear, but also scratches on the stone or etching plate can be present. These are expertly digitally retouched, while maintaining the characteristics of the original.
In many cases, antique prints are hardbound, meaning that they cannot be digitalized while completely flat.
Any photographic deviations from the original are fully corrected digitally.
It is here that the eye and expertise of the color lithographer is absolutely essential. His knowledge and skill ensures that the color of the facsimile is as close as possible to that of the original.
There may be pigments in the original which fall outside the photographic spectrum, or which bend due to the refraction of light and cannot be properly digitally recorded. The color lithographer finds solutions to this through applying various color corrections and making numerous color proofs.
In many cases, digital masks are created in order to save colors, whereby accurate corrections in color can be made.
Because the color lithographer works with the original, he can correct a color directly to that of the original. The knowledge of the conventional lithographer is applied digitally in this modern age, and is still of utmost value.
The proofs are produced on the print paper and, once it has the approval of the color lithographer, the master file is ready to start printing.
We use Epson printers because the Piezo print technique is the only one which can actually squirt 2880 ink drops per inch on paper, whereby the facsimile prints are exceptionally sharp and detailed. The combination of the Epson printers and our high quality digital files enables us to achieve 100% reproduction of the original.
This means that the production of one single facsimile print is extremely time-consuming. On average is takes 25 to 45 minutes before one print is ready.
The combination of water-based archival inks and acid-free fine art paper ensures that the facsimile prints have a lifespan of 80 to 300 years. They are waterproof and do not discolor. The white etching paper gives the prints a velvety appearance.
After the printing has finished, the facsimile is thoroughly examined and if necessary retouched by hand with Faber Castel graphite pencils.
It can occur that a paper fiber comes loose. In some cases, including prints from the Middles Ages, the facsimilees are refined with gold or Arabic gum.
Once the facsimile giclee print is approved, it is embossed, numbered and issued with a certificate of authenticity, and is ready to take its place on the wall, in the museum or in an art collection.
Heritage Prints has a master copy of many images, but we do not have every certified facsimile giclée print in stock.
If you cannot find a specific work on the website, please contact us directly and we will start the rigorous process of printing your individual facsimile.
Over 3,000 historic giclee prints, 16 artists and 40 complete sets
We are more than happy to help. Just send us a message, and we will be in touch
Chambre of Commerce: 75 23 82 84
VAT: NL860202604B01
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