Product Spotlight: Museum Prints
There is a reason why I print my own work - it gives me the ultimate control over the final product that my clients go home with. But it also became painfully clear over the years that I needed to transition to this process in order to get the best look and presentation for the Studio portraits I produce. There are so many printing vendors to choose from (even if you just stick to the professional lab options), so why go through all that work and expense?
In this Blog post, you’ll learn all about what makes these prints extra special and why it matters…
Museum Prints
Who they’re for
This product is pretty much for everyone! Who wouldn’t want a beautiful printed portrait of their child or family? If you like to enjoy having photographs around the house, or simply want to appreciate them on a daily basis, a beautiful FineArt print is definitely for you. The best part is that you don’t actually need a ton of space, either. The smaller size (more on that right below) allows you to fit them into anywhere you like without taking up a lot of room. They can be intimately displayed on top of a dresser in your bedroom or put front and center for all to see on a coffee table. You can also frame any one of these in any 8x10” frame of your choice and display them on the wall.
One thing’s for sure, you can’t get these types of prints just anywhere, and I’m so thrilled to be providing this incredible standard of quality to my Clients!
I have a whole entire Blog post about what it means for a print to be truly archival right here: https://nlalorphotography.com/blog/is-it-archival-photography-printing-explained and I encourage you to dive deep if you’d like to learn more!
Key features
The signature print is a 5”x7” print in an 8”x10” white gallery mat. There is a V-groove accent around the opening and a backing board that keeps everything together and allows you to safely handle the print without worry. One thing to note is that these mats are conservation quality, which if you’ve ever tried to purchase high-quality photo matting, is quite hard to find. This is a step above archival and acid-free, for a clean white look throughout (most mat board is slightly yellow inside, which only gets yellow-er over time). The mat is the best of the best, and it allows you to safely handle the photograph without touching the print itself.
What makes these prints different
I mentioned the fact that I print my own work earlier. A lot of that is because my Studio portraits require an elevated presentation because of their simplicity. The clean bright colors and detail simply gets lost when printed using the standard silver halide chemical process (whites tend to become gray and muddy). So if you want white whites in a photograph, you have to move to FineArt paper and pigment-ink printing. And that’s a lot more expensive both in the equipment cost and the paper/ink cost.
The paper itself is matte (not glossy) with a slight texture. Hahnemühle, the company that makes the paper I use, has been making paper in Germany since 1584 and is one of the last paper mills which produced high quality paper for artists today (crazy to think that they’ve been doing it for over 430 years!). There has been so much controversy about overblown longevity ratings by the major photo paper manufacturers like Kodak that I felt it was important to go with a vendor that has been doing this a long enough time to know what they’re talking about. The paper is a major part of the printed photograph and you want it to be to conservation standards (and not just “archival”).
The ink that actually creates the image is the LUCIA PRO pigment-based ink, which has the highest archival rating on the market. It’s important that it’s pigment, not dye, that’s creating the color.. both for longevity and available color gamut. Prints created with dye-based printing start fading within a couple of years, while pigment inks can maintain color for many decades. This is based on real-life tests, not estimated ratings.
The one thing that my Clients aways seem to point out is how detailed and sharp the prints are - and that’s because of the printing resolution of the printer and the ability of the paper to render those fine details. These prints aren’t typical by any measure, and you will see the difference right away.
How to enjoy them in your home
Every Print Collection includes a walnut photo stand that will perfectly hold your matted print for display. You can put that photograph on a mantel, bookshelf, bedside table, on a console in the entryway, or just about anywhere else in your home. Feel free to move it around to see where it looks best! And the best part is that you can swap out the photo in the stand every month, week, or even every day so that you can enjoy them ALL in a small dedicated space.
You are also welcome to frame any of these prints in any 8x10” frame, but please keep in mind that viewing distance will dictate the best size for the frame. These smaller prints go perfectly in smaller rooms, like a walk-in closet, bathroom, or hallway.
How to take care of the prints
Taking care of your prints is pretty simple. Keep them away from direct sunlight if you can. Make sure they’re not on display somewhere that’s super humid or hot. And gently wipe them with a dry microfiber cloth if they get dusty. You should avoid touching the print itself with your fingers - feel free to handle them by holding the mat or use the complimentary white gloves that are provided with every order.
The printing and mats should stay pristine for many many years and if anything was to happen, they come with a lifetime replacement policy (so no sweat if your little one decides to manhandle your precious portrait with sticky fingers).
And if you’d like a more detailed breakdown for how to take care of your photographs, you can find a dedicated Blog post for that right here: https://nlalorphotography.com/blog/taking-care-of-your-photography-prints-fairfield-county-connecticut.
Printed photographs are already amazing to begin with. Having printed portraits vs just digital is by far the best way to enjoy and preserve your memories. And when you’re paying a premium to work with a professional photographer (let’s face it, a friend with a camera or your iPhone are very much FREE), you should walk away with a gorgeous product that reflects that investment.
Let me know if you have any questions about these prints in the comments below and if you simply have a comment about anything I mentioned above. I look forward to hearing from you!
