Portfolio and Exhibition Printing Workshop

Before printing our images, both for exhibition and portfolio we need to be soft proofing them in Photoshop. During the workshop we used the curves tool, working on the red, blue and green curves. By using the curves you are able to match up the images for your portfolio coherently. Once all of the retouching has been done, including sharpening, highlights, etc then you should be ready to print onto your choice of paper. 

If printing onto your own paper a colour print profile needs to be set up on the printer. (Mike and Fergus can help with this). 

James advised that if we are printing a large scale piece, then we needed to crop smaller sections of the print which would be most important to proof check. Such as the most highlighted areas, shadows, etc that can often be lost in an image. However if we are doing smaller prints then we would still need to proof check them but print them as an A4 alone rather than cropping the image.

Using Photoshop, duplicate the finished image and make a print version of it. Go to proof set up > custom > device to stimulate > (paper type) > OK > and then you will see both files. An on screen version and ready to print. As for the print test, check for colour range, blacks and whites, contrast, tonal range, highlights, casts and anything else that has noticeably changed. As it is one process to another it is possible that things will change.

If I am ordering my own paper and wishing to print at the university I need to check that the paper is compatible with the university printer. Is there a profile paper for it? Make sure to check this with Mike or Fergus before purchasing!!

Some things I need to start thinking about this week...

• ordering a portfolio book/box
• where will I be printing the exhibition images? I will need to discuss with Guntons now about my plans
• if buying my own paper, buy more than I need so that I am prepared for mistakes 
• slots for printing will be available now, only if I am not using the paper types they already offer
• protector spray, Hahnemuhle sell this. Use the booth at the university
• white gloves if I am looking for a portfolio box
• what size paper am I looking to print on? (Order A3+ if printing 11x14cm to give more room) If I am going to do a box A3 would be easier as majority of the boxes are found at A3