Digital image processing is something relatively new to Custom Frame Services. The shop has undergone a shift towards both an image capture studio and an in-house printing service. We find ourselves now burgeoning into a new field of possibilities to offer our clients fulfilling their needs in regard to the presentation of their artwork, heirlooms and personal photos. The print lab and image capture studio at CFS has begun to show promise in its development.

The process seems deceptively simple. It begins with capturing of the image itself, whether that be recording a physical image through a camera, or downloading a digital copy of what someone has submitted to print. Next in the process is to edit, from minor adjustments to more involved reconstruction. This is to guarantee that the image, when printed, matches the vision for the original image captured or downloaded. This can be challenging due to the variables between the camera, depiction through the monitor and finally what is produced by the printer itself. Balancing the product through these variables is crucial. The range of factors vary considerably from the capture of an image in the camera through the output from the printer to presenting an image compatible with what is seen by the human eye. Most of the work comes down to understanding of the printer itself and how the image file operates with the processing software. Typically, a test print is produced to check for balance of color and visual clarity. Once a solid test print is produced, a final print is produced and allowed to dry. Proper drying is paramount for any archival inkjet print, a minimum of 24 hours for them to cure before they are framed or wrapped and delivered to its respective client. This is due to the fact that although inkjet is relatively stable upon coming out of a printer, it is still somewhat wet and is therefore susceptible to dust, finger prints, smears, smudges, etc.