A typical email we receive is like the following:
I am an artist and have been trying to figure out a way to get good prints of my work to sell. I printed a handful of times from you guys, and the quality was pretty good but not exactly what I want. I think the problem is me, not you, haha. I’m a little new to the getting prints world, and I wondered if you had any tips for getting the images very clear & the correct colors.
Rightfully, many artists are curious about sharpness and color accuracy. The truth is, we cannot always guarantee your art will print as you intend. Many factors are related to your file before we even receive it. Thankfully, you can take a few steps to help improve your chances of reproducing your art.
- Convert your art to CMYK. We strictly print in this color mode for everything 13×19 and under. If you convert your file into CMYK color mode, it will resolve 90% of any color issues. If you do not have a way to handle the conversion, you can select the $5 digital proof. We will send you a PDF showing any color changes before printing begins. Learn more about RGB and CMYK on our blog.
- Make sure you are working in 300 DPI. High resolution is the key to sharp prints. When you scan your physical images, use the highest quality settings. This plan is not foolproof (nothing is) since there can be blurry images within a high-quality file. If you are a digital artist, work with 300 to 600 dpi or a considerable canvas area.
- For only $5, you can select a digital proof. We will email you a PDF file that showcases most of our side’s color changes during conversion. Again, this is not foolproof since many monitors show different color variances.
Printkeg artists review all artwork before printing. If your file quality is low, we will not print it without you asking for a better version. We do not halt production for color changes due to RGB to CMYK conversion. This circumstance is why a digital PDF proof can go a long way toward catching color mishaps.
Also, paper can affect color and sharpness. For instance, gloss prints may appear more vibrant than those on matte, and matte images may appear crisper than textured or canvas prints. We intended these variations with the different art papers. See all of our papers now.
Please let us know in your order’s instructions area if you have any concerns. We are here to help you receive the best prints possible. Feel free to call an expert at 843-379-1198. Be sure to leave a message.
Helpful articles on our blog.
How to sell your physical painting as sellable prints
How to get started selling prints of your painting
5 Common file preparation problems to avoid
More Tips
Calibrate Your Monitor
Use a hardware calibration device or software tool to adjust your monitor’s brightness, contrast, and color temperature settings. This ensures that what you see on screen accurately represents the colors that will be printed.
Work in CMYK Color Mode
Switch your design software (such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator) to CMYK color mode when preparing print designs. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is the color model used for printing, ensuring your colors are optimized for ink on paper rather than light emitted by screens.
Soft Proofing
Utilize the soft proofing feature in your design software to simulate how colors will appear when printed on your chosen paper stock. Adjustments can be made to colors and saturation to compensate for differences between screen and print output.
Check Color Settings
Verify that your design software’s color settings are correctly configured for CMYK output. This includes color management settings, rendering intents, and any color correction options to maintain fidelity between your digital artwork and final printed piece.
Print Test Proofs
Before finalizing your print job, produce test proofs on the same printer and paper stock used for the entire print run. This allows you to evaluate color accuracy, tonal range, and overall print quality, making any necessary adjustments before proceeding.
Consistent Lighting Conditions
Maintain consistent lighting in your workspace to avoid color perception discrepancies. Avoid brightly lit environments or fluctuating light sources that affect how colors appear on your monitor and in print.
Quality Control
Perform thorough quality checks on printed proofs, examining color accuracy, sharpness, and overall print quality. Look for any discrepancies between your digital design and the final printed output, making adjustments as necessary to achieve the desired result.