Colour & File Information Colour & file information, photoshop and monitor setup

Softproof Profiles Download our latest SoftProof profiles

Glossary of Materials Our papers, substrates and materials explained

Glossary of Processes Our production processes explained

Online Printing Video Tutorial View our video tutorial about using our online services

Photoshop & File Information Video Tutorial Find out how to use photoshop to prepare your files

Colour Basics Video Tutorial Find out the basics of colour management

GLOSSARY OF PROCESSES

Archival Mounting

Archival mounting is a process of mounting a print or photograph to a material that will not degrade or will not suffer degradation due to the mounting process. It does not mean it is reversible or removal. For a reversible archival solution we recommend window mounting.

C-Type Prints

Archival photographic C-type prints are made by exposing light onto paper which is then developed and washed using traditional techniques. Historically photographic papers have been exposed by light through a negative but are now exposed by high resolution digital printers. The process offers the artist the feel and quality of a photographic print with the creativity and consistency that can only be achieved from a digital process. At Spectrum we use both Durst Lambda and ZBE Chromira printers to expose a range of Kodak and Fuji Crystal archive papers.

C41 film Processing

Colour Negative film processing from 35mm rolls to 10x8” sheets for optical hand printing or high resoltion scanning.We use the renowned Technolab Dip and Dunk processors for C41 Negative processing. Our processors are computer driven to monitor consistent trouble free processing and, unlike other systems, ‘dip and dunk’ processing means the film is suspended in the solution, not dragged through rollers, giving cleaner films without scratches.

Canvas Prints

We print directly onto high cotton canvas. We achieve high quality long lasting canvas prints from your images by using a six-colour eco-Solvent process on our Roland Soljet printer. Sizes available are from 10x8” to 96”x60”.

CCD scanning

High end film scanners use a charge-coupled device (CCD) Spectrum offer CCD scans on the latest Imacon X5 scanner.This enables us to produce scans in either 8 and 16 bit depth with a quality that now really does rival that of any drum scan. This new scanner handles all film formats up to 5x4. We recommend using the X5 particularly when scanning colour negatives as it can give a smoother scan than achievable with a drum scanner.

CMYK conversion

Conversion of an RGB file used to display on a monitor or print photographically to a CMYK print space used in the litho print industry.

Contact print

C41 negatives are printed directly to photographic paper. A reliable way to see the results of your film without printing up individual negatives. The contact print will show positive images at the same size as your negatives.

Colour management

The term ‘colour management’ simply refers to controlled conversions between the colour representations of devices such as image scanners, digital cameras, monitors, TV screens, film printers, computer printers, offset presses and other corresponding media. For more information see our Colour Management area.

Dip and dunk processing

We use the renowned Technolab Dip and Dunk processors for C41 Negative processing. Our processors are computer driven to monitor consistent trouble free processing and, unlike other systems, ‘dip and dunk’ processing means the film is suspended in the solution, not dragged through rollers, giving cleaner films without scratches.

Display mounting

Display mounting offers a range of low cost options which are both cost effective and attractive but are not designed for long term display.

Drum scanning

Drum scanners are still the bench mark for high-end film scanning. Because film can be wet-mounted to the scanner drum true full frame scanning is achieved. Your original film is mounted onto an acrylic drum which rotates at high speed. We can scan any size of flexible media up to 12x16 inches. Film is mounted in an oil bath enclosed in an acetate sleeve which eliminates most surface marks or scratching. Our ICG369 Drum Scanner can scan individual frames with a true optical resolution of up to 12000 dpi .The crisp edge to edge sharpness of drum scans allow us to make photographic prints of a quality almost indiscernible from optical prints, with the control and creativity that only digital can offer.

Duraspec™

The process of face mounting photographic prints behind Perspex .Developed by Spectrum and perfected over many years, this process produces clear ,crisp frameless images. Bonded under high pressure with inert silicon to create this archival mounting process. Panels are backed with a choice of aluminium ,dibond or diamond polished coloured Perspex. Supplied with aluminium subframes for hanging or smaller pieces can be supplied with split batten fixings.

Edition Prints

Edition prints are identical reproductions made from an existing archived digital master files ( see master printing).Edition printing is a great way of fulfilling gallery sales with the minimum outlay. At spectrum we archive proof prints with their master files to ensure when editions are printed they are an exact match to their original.

Giclée printing

The term Giclée has its origin in the French language , meaning to squirt or spray. It is now used to describe the process of printing with pigment inks to produce the highest quality digital art prints. Our prints are produced using the latest Epson Ultrachrome K3 8 colour inks giving a wide colour gamut and unrivalled archival qualities. We print to a selection of Hahnemühle and Innova papers , please see are material glossary for more details.

Lambda printing

Digitally exposed photographic prints are known as “ Digital C- type “prints. The paper is exposed to light using RGB laser’s or LED’s and is then photographically developed. Spectrum use a combination of our 30” Durst Lambda and 50” ZBE Chromira printers to make archival photographic prints.

Master Printing

Master printing offers a one-to-one service with one of our highly experienced studio team who will work closely with you to achieve perfect prints. We will proof and adjust your images on screen, applying overall colour corrections where required then we produce test prints for your approval before processing the final print. As well as being able to visit the lab to work alongside the printers we are able to offer this service remotely by posting test prints and taking telephone or email instruction. Additional test prints are available, if required. Once the final test has been approved and the print produced the Mastered file is written to disk for your records and is then saved to the Spectrum archive along with a match print for reference. You can then order Edition prints as and when they are required.(see Edition Prints )

Sealing

Mounted prints can be sealed with a thin PVC film. This lamination will protect the print from minor dirt and abrasion but it does flatten colours in particular areas of black. Once the seal is applied it can not be removed.

Soft and hard proofs

Soft proofing is a means of previewing on your monitor how your image may change when it is printed on paper as a hard proof. You can toggle between your file and the softproof file to see how colours have changed as a result of the restrictions of the printer’s capabilities. This then enables you to make the necessary changes to get the best from your printer and your file. For more information about installing and viewing a softproof click here.

Window mounting

inged with museum tape reversible archival solution. This is also known as an aperture mount or a passe partout mount.