Color Print Opens Up Art Reproduction New World (II)

The advantages of color printing

The Boston Museum of Art is one of the world's leading art galleries. Its collection is extremely rich, and its art reproduction techniques are second to none today. They replicated Van Gogh's “Madame Auqstine Roulin Rocking a Cradle” using an Epson large-format printer and printed 100 copies in a copy-like reproduction method. The format was 24 inches by 30 inches. Each copy had a unique code such as 1/ 100, 2/100...) and it costs $500. Such prices have made high-level copy of the famous paintings the new darling of the middle class. The profits of the museum have been born immediately, and the art has also gained vitality. In a similar way, some of China's printing companies, such as Shenzhen Yachang, Beijing Shenghong Rainbow and Beijing Tianluge, have also made many useful attempts.

Figure 1 shows the color print process of the artwork. This shows that printing is an important part of it. Compared to woodblock watermarks and screen printing, it does not require the production of complete sets of fine printing plates and does not require overprinting, which simplifies the process flow, saves money, and shortens the product. Production cycle.

Color Management Drawing - Digital Flow ------------ Print - Finishing - Replica

In addition, high-quality color printing itself has many unique advantages. For example, good color image reproduction performance, stable output proof quality, and fast output speed, can provide multiple format, multiple resolution, black and white/color/replacement color and other print mode selections. The system cost is low, and the operator's skill requirements are not High, and flexible to adapt to the requirements of digital and networked.

It is worth mentioning that the quality of color printing is more consistent. Artwork emphasizes individuality. Each artist has his own unique connotation and charm. Each piece is a unique creation. Therefore, in addition to restoring the layered colors, the reproduction requires that the shape, the spirit, and the rhyme are indistinguishable from the original in three aspects. . In traditional printing, due to the large influence of human operation experience, the entire printing process is an ever-changing process. The consistency of product quality cannot be comparable to color printing.

The digital color printing system has a simple composition. A set of printing software, a printer, and a set of measuring instruments can be operated. The machine uses a fixed parameter machine to operate on its own. There are few processes, no artificial intervention, and few variable factors. Therefore, the consistency of product quality is easily achieved. Such as Epson wide-format printers have a wide range of media adaptability and a variety of media processing capabilities, a wide range of color gamut, the color level transition smooth, flexible cartridge replacement, there are many applications in the reproduction of art. In addition, EFI also introduced a color management printing software dedicated to the reproduction of painting artworks, and in conjunction with X-Rite's color measuring instruments, the replication process can be made more professional.

Compared with printers, the cost of configuring a high-quality digital printing system is very low, and most of them do not exceed 100,000 yuan, which can greatly save investment costs and the recovery of funds is particularly fast.

Color management is crucial

Color management can accurately control the transmission and reproduction of colors, which is crucial for color printing. Only by properly implementing color management can we have high-quality art reproduction products. This is the same requirement as commercial copying.

In the reproduction of works of art, firstly, attention should be paid to material selection, and it is required that the pigment ink used for printing should have strong ultraviolet radiation resistance. Some manufacturers now have improved performance in printing inks and use resin-coated pigments to keep them from discoloration for a long time. Secondly, the reproduction of artworks has a lot to do with the choice of substrate. When selecting substrates and performing color measurements, it is necessary to take into account the texture of the substrate itself, the absorption of pigments, and the reflective properties of light. Carefully perform color measurements. And match to strictly control the color transfer. In the digitization process of the artwork, it is necessary to preserve the original artwork information as much as possible, and to embody the details of the original artwork as much as possible. The shooting environment should be clean and a standard light source should be used.

Color management relies on correct color measurement and software control, including equipment calibration, feature description, and color conversion. It should be performed by an operator with professional printing knowledge.

Market Prospects of Art Reproduction

China has a long history and culture with inexhaustible sources of reproduction of artistic treasures. At the same time, the purchasing power and spending power of Chinese consumers are increasing. The Chinese painting art market will be a huge “cake”.

The reproduction of works of art involves relevant laws and regulations. In fact, if the relevant laws and regulations are sound and well managed, proper reproduction of works of art will not only disturb the market, but also bring prosperity to the cultural market of art and cultural quality of the people. The increase, if coupled with digital asset management of works of art, will also bring new economic growth points to many cultural companies.

Author: Wuhan University Liu Jinfang

Source: Print Technology 2005, 10 (Publishing and Commercial Printing)