Captured on Canvas: Memories & Moments That Last

When Kathy Ogg first became a mom 23 years ago, she soon realized she wouldn’t be returning to work as she once knew it. Instead, photographing and printing pictures of her kids, now age 4 through 23, became a hobby, then a passion, then a whole new career.

Five years ago, with her original Canon imagePROGRAF 8400 printer, she started Re:Image Printing, perfecting the art of using photos not only taken by professional photographers, but amateurs who were capturing family moments on their cell phones, as well.

A customer’s candid image captured on canvas.

“I’ve worked with a lot of families who thought that Facebook would be the way to store all their pictures and they got rid of their originals,” Ogg says. “But then they realized that once they’re on Facebook, the photos are tiny.”

So Ogg helps families determine which photos would work best as prints on either photo paper or canvas wraps. She’s now upgraded to the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-4000 and is a loyal user of Fredrix 777VWR Vivid Matte Canvas and LexJet Sunset Select Matte Canvas.

Often, potential clients shy away from canvas wrap prints because they think they need a professional photographer in order to get professional prints made. However, Ogg says, “I’m trying to teach people that cell phone pictures do print really well now — I can blow them up to 24×36-inch canvases. You just have to ask yourself: Does that picture do something to your heart? If so, then it’s worthy to print to a canvas and put on your wall.”

Memories aren’t only photographs. This recipe card is forever remembered on a canvas print.

Ogg moved from Indiana to Winter Garden, Fla., a few years ago, where she now runs a print and canvas wrap shop. When testing the media that she prints to, she looks for consistent results, vivid, accurate colors without a lot of texture and handling without cracking in the corners when stretched on canvas bars.

She’s opted for the canvas wraps because she finds the finished look to be “timeless,” unlike frames that can go out of style and glass that can stick to — and ruin — the printed image. She tops the canvas with a coating for extra protection — gloss coating for landscape images and colors that need a lot of “pop” and satin for family photos.

“Some professional photographers think there’s no way that canvas can reproduce their colors,” she says. “But I just say – why don’t you let me show you. Between the printer and the Fredrix or LexJet canvas, I can guarantee the quality.”

Ogg has also been experimenting with LexJet Print-N-Stick Fabric, a removable repositionable self-adhesive product that delivers great image quality, as well.

LexJet Print-N-Stick Fabric used for a nursery room mural.

“Print-N-Stick is the most fun material I’ve ever printed to,” she says. “I love how versatile it is, and it will stay up as long as I want it to. It’s truly removable without peeling paint or damaging the wall behind it. It feels more like fabric and really adheres to the texture of the wall.”

Ogg uses Print-N-Stick mostly for her children’s room murals, but is starting to offer it to her customers, too. Between the fun wall murals and canvas wraps, her own home is a reflection of what she can create for clients’ homes. “There’s a reason behind every picture hanging up on my wall,” she says. “I walk in and I’m home — I’m happy and at peace.”

Bundle it up for Christmas: Sunset Pro Photo Albums and Sunset Photo Metallic

Photo albums make great gifts and promotional items and in the spirit of giving, LexJet has extended its Sunset Pro Photo Album and Sunset Photo Metallic Paper deal until Dec. 30: Save 50 percent on a 50-sheet pack of Sunset Photo Metallic Paper (8 1/2 x 11) when you buy a two-pack of Sunset Pro Photo Albums (8×10). Use Promo Code SPMBD when you order online or call in your order.

Photo albums for Christmas giftsPro photographer Scott Simon of Photographic Concepts in Peachtree City, Ga., says, “I like the Sunset Pro Photo Albums because they look more expensive than they are, and you can put a variety of pictures in it.”

Simon uses the smaller 5×7 photo albums as part of a photo print package for his clients. The smaller size works well for this since Simon photographs a lot of families and children. “Moms can just drop them in their purse,” he says. Simon prints album photos with Sunset Photo eSatin Paper. “Though the eSatin may be a little heavy for that use, the paper is beautiful and looks great in the albums,” he says.

Sunset Pro Photo Albums are made of a rich black leatherette material and each page features a peel-and-stick adhesive that makes album creation quick and easy. The do-it-yourself, professionally-crafted albums were designed to give you control of the photo album process. They are economical, easy to use and ideal for any type of photo album or photographic presentation, including graduates, high school senior sessions, weddings, family photos, portfolios and more.

Sunset Photo Metallic Paper produces stunning prints that previously could be output only in a darkroom. The metallic, high-gloss surface on this 10-mil, 255g photo paper results in prints that are sharp, vibrant, and exceptionally rich-looking. It’s perfect for stand-out portraits, wedding photography, commercial display and competition prints. 

Gary Haines, owner of Grizzly Creek Gallery in Georgetown, Colo., concurs: “When you print on the Metallic paper, it’s awesome. It has a real nice pearlescence to it that you can’t get with any other photo paper.”

Sunset Photo Metallic and Sunset Pro Photo Album Bundle Deal

Making photo albumsIt’s the proverbial match made in heaven: LexJet’s new Sunset Pro Photo Albums adorned with Hot One award-winning Sunset Photo Metallic Paper for unforgettable photo presentations. From now until Sept. 30 you save 50 percent on a 50-sheet pack of Sunset Photo Metallic Paper (8 1/2 x 11) when you buy a two-pack of Sunset Pro Photo Albums (8×10). Use Promo Code SPMBD when you order online or call in your order.

Sunset Pro Photo Albums are made of a rich black leatherette material and each page features a peel-and-stick adhesive that makes album creation quick and easy. “The Sunset albums have a high-end look and feel to them and the price point is great. If you’re doing your own printing it’s a no-brainer,” says Eric Wordal of Masterpiece Portraits in Helena, Mont.

The do-it-yourself, professionally-crafted albums were designed to give you control of the photo album process. They are economical, easy to use and ideal for any type of photo album or photographic presentation, including graduates, high school senior sessions, weddings, family photos, portfolios and more.

Sunset Photo Metallic Paper has become one of LexJet’s most popular photo papers, receiving rave reviews from photographers and fine art reproduction companies.

“We charge more per square foot for prints on Sunset Metallic, and so far that’s flown. No one has said, ‘Wow, that’s too expensive.’ Instead they say, ‘I want to try that, because it gives me a distinctive look,'” says Eric Monroe of C2 Reprographics

Gary Haines, owner of Grizzly Creek Gallery in Georgetown, Colo., concurs: “When you print on the Metallic paper, it’s awesome. It has a real nice pearlescence to it that you can’t get with any other photo paper.”

Sunset Photo Metallic Paper produces stunning prints that previously could be output only in a darkroom. The metallic, high-gloss surface on this 10-mil, 255g photo paper results in prints that are sharp, vibrant, and exceptionally rich-looking. It’s perfect for stand-out portraits, wedding photography, commercial display and competition prints. 

Photo Albums Made Easy: Peel, Stick and Go with Sunset Pro Photo Albums

Easy to use photo albums for professional photographersIf you’re looking for a new and easy way to create photo albums, be sure to check out LexJet’s new Sunset Pro Photo Albums, which are designed to be elegant and simple for a unique presentation of your work.

The do-it-yourself, professionally-crafted albums were designed to give you control of the photo album process. They are economical, easy to use and ideal for any type of photo album or photographic presentation, including graduates, high school senior sessions, weddings, family photos, portfolios and more.

Sunset Pro Photo Albums, made of a rich black leatherette material, are now available in 2.5 in. x 3.5 in., 5 in. x 7 in., 8 in. x 8 in., 8 in. x 10 in., and 10 in. x 10 in. sizes. Each page features a peel-and-stick adhesive that makes album creation quick and easy.

If you’d like to find out more about the new albums, contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538, click here for the product specifications and click here for a how-to video on using the albums.