.Paper, Ink & Printing
When you choose to purchase a print, you’re getting more than just a photograph—you’re also getting the paper, ink, and process that bring it to life. I create and prepare each image, but I trust the actual printing to a fine art specialist who produces museum-quality giclée prints. I chose them because their materials, skill, and attention to detail match the care I put into my photography and for the finished results - seeing is indeed believing.
When I was preparing to open my studio in Murray Hill Galleries, I tested prints from five different sources. They were all good, but one stood out above the rest. That’s the printer I’ve used ever since, and I trust them with every piece I offer. Their work costs a bit more than some, but the difference is clear the moment you see the print, and to me, that’s worth it.
Archival-Quality Papers & Canvas
Every print begins with museum-quality, acid-free paper designed to last for generations without yellowing or fading. These papers, typically I choose one of the fine art papers by Hahnemühle, are made from premium natural fibers like cotton and bamboo, giving them a rich, tactile feel and depth you can see. I select the surface—smooth matte, softly textured, or heavily textured, based on what best serves the photo. These papers have exceptional durability, color accuracy, and texture, all of which are essential for creating fine quality, long-lasting prints. For canvas prints, we use archival matte canvas coated for UV protection and long-term durability.
Long-Lasting Pigment Inks
Archival pigment ink is a type of ink that uses insoluble pigment particles suspended in a carrier liquid. What this means is the ink sits on top of the paper’s surface rather than soaking into it. This leads to key differences from dye-based ink, including greater resistance to fading, water resistance, and smudge resistance. These inks are reported to last 200 years - no one will ever know - but pigment inks to my eye are more vibrant. They are also more expensive and to take advantage of their quality I pair them with fine art papers for the best results. Combined with professional printers that use up to 12 different ink colors, this process captures delicate tones, deep blacks, and smooth, true-to-life color. Visitors to the studio frequently comment on the richness of color in the photos.
Precision Printing Process
Each image is produced using the giclée method—a fine art inkjet process known for exceptional resolution and color accuracy. Giclée printing is a method of creating fine art reproductions using a specialized, high-resolution inkjet printer. This process involves the meticulous application of archival pigment-based inks onto archival fine art paper, resulting in a print with significantly higher quality, longevity, and value than a standard print. Seeing is believing, the results obtained using giclée printing and fine art papers, are stunning. To ensure the best results, I prepare every image file and review proofs as needed to ensure the finished print reflects the vision I had when I created the photograph.
Why It Matters
The right paper, ink, and printing process matter, not just for how a photograph looks today, but for how it will hold up over time. By working with a skilled professional printer who uses top quality paper and ink and follows the highest professional standards, I know each print is made to bring out the best in my work and to last. My goal is that when you hang one of my photographs in your home, you’ll enjoy it not just for what you see today, but for many years to come.