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Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles, Tips & Tricks
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A Perspective on Matching Fine Art Paper to a Fine Art Original

Fostergraphs Fine Art Reproduction

There is no definitive rule for matching the right fine art paper (or canvas) to the original piece that’s being reproduced, whether that piece is oil on canvas, a charcoal sketch, a watercolor or any other medium.

Ultimately, it’s based on the artist’s preference and their interpretation of the piece for reproduction. However, certain media generally translate into certain types of fine art reproduction materials.

Obviously, oil on canvas will generally be reproduced on canvas. Of course, there is then the choice between a satin, gloss or matte finish, and any coating that may go over the canvas to both protect it and create its own finish (more on that in a future post, or you can download the free white paper, How to Make Canvas Printing Work for You).

For fine art papers, veteran print maker Kent Foster, owner of Fostergraphs Inc., Decorah, Iowa, has two “go-to” papers: Sunset Textured Fine Art Paper 310g for those who want a more textured surface and Sunset Cotton Etching Paper 285g for those who prefer a smoother finish.

“For the most part, we use Sunset Cotton Etching for pencil, charcoal and sketch work that’s more flat. We use Textured Fine Art predominately for watercolor reproductions, as well as oil paintings when they’re going to paper and not canvas because these artists tend to like a textured paper. And, they tend to work in textured medium to begin with,” says Foster.

In the example pictured above, Foster reproduced a piece entitled Where Eagles Soar by award-winning water color artist Mary Ann Gloe. It’s one of four watercolors Foster reproduced for the Luther College bookstore to replenish their stock of Gloe’s work.

“She’s a very talented artist has won a lot of state awards. I’ve been doing work for her since 2005, and that’s about how long we’ve been using Textured Fine Art as our primary textured fine art paper,” says Foster. “Artists want a nice product at an economical price. It’s a nice paper, it has a good weight, it presents very well and it’s priced reasonably. In this case, the watercolor looks especially good on a textured surface. The original surface she works on is typically somewhat textured, and this paper accurately represents the original.”

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in Case Studies & Profiles
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Fostergraphs Turns Kegs into Custom Decorated Bar Stools

Custom Bar Stool Cushion SportBrands

There are many uses for a beer keg, but did you know you could turn it into a custom bar stool? That’s exactly what Kent Foster, owner of Fostergraphs and SportBrands, recently did for a customer loyal to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The challenge is the seat of the barstool and how to apply a custom graphic to it, especially since the seat is leather. Leather is usually decorated through a complex dyeing process that requires super-large production runs to be economically feasible.

Custom Decorated Bar Stools SportBrandsFoster, however, has been experimenting with LexJet Avatrex 3500 Matte, a clear inkjet-receptive material that also has an adhesive and laminate built into it. Avatrex conforms to the substrate to which it is applied, retaining that substrate’s look and feel.

In other words, Avatrex is the only viable way to apply custom graphics to a textured surface like leather, so Foster gave Tom Snooks, LexJet’s Avatrex expert, a call for guidance.

“We tried bonded leather at first, but the problem is that it’s designed for book covers and is not very pliable and would wrinkle around the sewn edges of the seat. My upholsterer brought a leather hide and asked if I could use it,” says Foster.

First, Foster printed the Iowa Hawkeyes logo to the Avatrex on his Epson GS6000 low solvent printer. Avatrex is printed in reverse then applied, print-side down, to the substrate.

Foster sprayed a primer designed for Avatrex to the leather hide to ensure permanent adhesion, then bonded it to the Avatrex with a 40×60 vacuum press at a frame sign shop. The Avatrex was pressed to the leather at 225 degrees for 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

The upholsterer then wrapped and sewed the leather around the seat, applied to the keg – and voila! – a bar stool keg.

“Now I’m thinking motorcycle seats, leather jackets, tote bags… anything I can put a logo or image on, I can do with Avatrex. I don’t know where it will go from here, but I’m thinking, ‘What can I do next?’ The real leather look is priceless. I’m going to explore all corners of the universe with Avatrex because it’s so far outside the box,” says Foster.

Posted on by Regan Dickinson Posted in News & Trends, Technology & Products
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New Instant-Dry Photo Papers for Solvent, Low-Solvent, Latex and UV-Curable Printing

Fostergraphs Poster Printing
Fostergraphs’ poster printing for Iowa’s sports teams is now easier, quicker and more dynamic with the addition of LexJet 8 Mil Production Satin SUV 180g.

 

Three new instant-dry photo papers for solvent, low-solvent, UV-curable and latex printers that address both high-end and production-oriented photo reproduction and graphics production have been introduced by LexJet.

The new photo papers were developed to open up new markets and profitable applications for print shops, sign companies, point-of-purchase and exhibit producers, and fine-art reproduction companies.

The new LexJet photo papers include:

LexJet Sunset Photo Satin SUV 275g: Highly scratch-resistant, this 11-mil satin-finish photo paper is perfect for posters, fine photos, corporate and hotel lobby displays, retail displays, décor, and other applications where image quality and performance are essential.

LexJet Sunset Photo Gloss SUV 275g: Provides the same benefits as the new satin photo paper but in a gloss finish. Both papers are specially formulated to dry instantly with low-solvent, solvent, latex and UV-curable inks so that users can put their take-up reel to work for longer production runs. They’re also the thickest, most durable photo papers on the market in their class. The new Sunset SUV photo papers are based on LexJet’s award-winning Sunset line of fine art papers, photo papers and canvases preferred by professional photographers and fine art reproduction companies for their extremely wide color gamut and high Dmax, as well as their ability to hold fine detail.

LexJet 8 Mil Production Satin SUV 180g: Geared toward high-volume production work that requires a balance of quality and economy, this satin-finish production paper features a high-performance, instant-dry, scratch-resistant base for posters, photo reproductions, point-of-purchase displays, and other commercial applications.

“The Sunset Photo Satin and Gloss SUV media print great on our Epson GS6000 low-solvent printer, and the drying time is very good with both,” says Trevor Odell of Colormax Digital, Evansville, Ind. “I’ve been searching for a heavyweight, durable paper for solvent that’s just as good as photo papers for aqueous printers, but at a lower cost, and this is it.”

Fostergraphs Photo Printing
Kent Foster, Fostergraphs, also reports that LexJet’s new SUV photo papers produce excellent saturation and color.

Regarding LexJet 8 Mil Production Satin SUV 180g, Kent Foster, Fostergraphs Inc., Decorah, Iowa, comments: “I tested other solvent photo papers previously and it was always a challenge to get it to dry on our Epson GS6000. This is better now, and the color and saturation is great.”

All three of the new LexJet SUV photo papers allow those who have transitioned to solvent, latex and UV-curable printing from aqueous-based printing to win back customer and market share for higher-end production graphics and photographic reproduction. For long-time users of solvent and UV-curable technologies, the true photo-quality papers open up a range of profitable applications in both emerging and existing markets.
“LexJet’s new suite of photo papers were designed to maximize the production quality of low-solvent, solvent, latex and UV-curable printers, and make production easier,” says Jaimie Mask, LexJet’s product manager. “Our customers are looking for ways to differentiate their output, and that was the driving force behind the development of these new photo papers.”

The new LexJet SUV photo papers are available for next-day delivery in most of the Continental U.S. from one of LexJet’s nationwide distribution centers, and come in 36-in., 54-in., and 61-in. widths. As with all LexJet products they come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Contact a LexJet customer specialist at 800-453-9538 for more information and to order.