Lena Rivera
Artists often want to turn their paintings into prints, either to sell or to give as gifts. The first step is to get your work into a digital format. You can do this by scanning your artwork or taking a high-quality photograph. Scanning is a good way to get high-resolution images, but it might not capture the colours or texture of the painting accurately. Photography can be a better option for textured paintings, but you need to be careful of issues like lighting, distortion, shadows and image blur. Once you have a digital file, you can send it to an online printing service or a local print shop. It's worth shopping around for the best prices and quality, and you can also order samples to see how your artwork will look on different types of paper.
Characteristics and their values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Photographing paintings | Use a DSLR camera or a phone camera with at least 12 megapixels. Capture the painting in halves or fourths and reconstruct them in Photoshop. Use natural light and a tripod for the best results. |
| Scanning paintings | Scanning is suitable for smaller works and watercolours. Use a scanner with a high DPI (dots per inch) setting, such as 300 DPI for prints the same size as the original or 600 DPI for enlargements. |
| Printing options | Choose between printing on canvas, fine art paper, metal, or acrylic, each offering unique qualities such as texture, smoothness, modern look, or glossy finish. Consider printing on-demand through online services or local fine art printers. |
| Image editing | Use Photoshop or similar photo editing software to fine-tune images, correct colour discrepancies, and adjust sizing for the desired paper. Free alternatives include GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program). |
| Paper options | Research the various types of paper offered by the print company to determine the best fit for your art. Order sample packs to test different papers before choosing the final option. |
| Printing services | You can use online printing services or local print shops. Online printing is often cheaper, but local shops allow for more control over quality and paper choices. |
| Selling prints | Consider expanding your audience by offering your art on various products like home decor, clothing, or phone cases. Test your art on different materials and colours to cater to a broader audience. |
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What You'll Learn
Scanning vs. photographing artwork
There are several ways to turn your paintings into prints. You can either scan your paintings or photograph them.
Scanning
Scanning is a good option if you want to control the resolution of the final output easily. It also requires less concern with colour correction measures due to improper lighting. Additionally, you won't need to worry about bulky camera equipment, distortion, shadows, image blur, or other issues that may occur when trying to photograph artwork. However, scanning might not do justice to the colours and may sometimes show details that should be lost, such as globs of paint or brushstrokes. Scanning is also a more suitable option for 2D artworks that are reasonably flat, such as unframed paintings on canvas, drawings on paper, and prints on metal and wood. If you intend to scan your artwork regularly, investing in a good scanner can be beneficial.
Photographing
Photographing your artwork can be a more accessible option if you already have a suitable camera. It is also generally easier to photograph large paintings than to scan them. However, photographing artwork requires appropriate camera equipment, such as a tripod, a sharp lens, and proper lighting. It may also require some skill behind the camera to capture high-quality images. Additionally, photographing textured paintings, such as those with thick coats of oil paint, can better capture the texture and depth of the artwork.
Final Thoughts
Both scanning and photographing have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the best method depends on your specific needs, the type of artwork, and your access to equipment. If you are unsure, you can always try both methods and see which results you prefer.
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Using a smartphone to take photos
If you want to turn your paintings into prints using your smartphone, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you'll want to ensure you have the best lighting conditions possible. Natural light is ideal, so consider taking photos outside on a bright but cloudy day, or in a well-lit room if you're unable to get outdoors. Avoid direct sunlight as it can cause glare and uneven lighting on your painting. If you're shooting indoors, try to find a spot with good natural light and avoid using artificial light if possible, as it can create an uneven appearance in your photos.
When setting up your painting, use a plain backdrop such as a white foam board, and be mindful of reflections, especially if your painting has a high-gloss finish. Experiment with different angles and distances to minimise reflections and find the most flattering light. If you're using an iPhone, turn on the 'grid' feature to help you keep the camera straight and avoid keystoning, which is the distortion that occurs when the camera is not held parallel to the painting.
Now it's time to start snapping! Hold your phone steady and keep it still even after pressing the shutter to avoid accidental blurring. Take multiple shots from different angles and distances to ensure you capture all the details of your painting. Review your photos as you go, checking for even lighting, composition, and overall appearance.
Once you've taken your photos, you can make further adjustments using photo editing apps or software. Crop the image to focus on the painting, and play around with filters to enhance the colours and overall look. You can also use professional editing software like Adobe Photoshop to fine-tune your images, but this may require more expertise.
Finally, when you're ready to print, check the file specifications and size requirements of the printing service you plan to use. Make sure your image is high-resolution and in the correct format to ensure the best possible quality for your prints.
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Printing on canvas
There are several companies that offer canvas prints, such as Canvaspop, EasyCanvasPrints, CanvasDiscount, and Posterjack. These companies offer different features and options, such as custom sizing, frames, and dust covers. Some companies also offer discounts and promotions.
When preparing your artwork for canvas printing, you can either scan or photograph it. Scanning is a good option if your artwork is suitable for scanning and will allow for greater accuracy in reproduction. However, it may not capture the texture and brushstrokes of the original painting. Photography is another option, and you can use a DSLR camera or even a smartphone to capture high-quality images of your artwork. Use natural lighting and diffuse the light with a semi-transparent white sheet to avoid shadows.
After you have captured the image, you can use photo editing software like Photoshop to fine-tune the image, correct colours, and resize the image to fit the canvas size. Then, simply upload your image to the chosen printing company's website and select your desired options.
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Using Photoshop to edit images
To turn your paintings into prints, you can use a scanner to create digital copies of your paintings and then edit them in Photoshop.
- Open your scanned image in Photoshop.
- Flatten the image and remove any layers to reduce the file size. Save this version as the original JPEG.
- Edit the image to your liking. Remove any blemishes, paint splats, and adjust the colours to ensure they are accurate. You can use tools such as the Spot Healing Brush Tool and the Clone Stamp Tool to remove imperfections.
- Resize the image to your desired print size.
- If you scanned a large painting in sections, you can use Photoshop to stitch the scans together. Go to File > Automate > Photomerge, select 'Collage', and then choose the scanned image sections you want to merge.
- To transform your painting into a different art style, you can use Photoshop's Generative Fill AI. Duplicate the background layer and then apply the Generative Fill effect. Enter the art medium you want to simulate, such as "watercolor paint" or "oil painting". You can adjust the intensity of the effect to blend AI-generated details with your original image.
- Photoshop also offers various filters and brushes to turn your paintings into different art styles, such as the Oil Paint filter for thicker brushstrokes.
- Save your edited image and it's ready to be printed!
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Printing at home vs. outsourcing
Printing your paintings at home can be a great way to maximise profitability, as you avoid the costs associated with outsourcing. However, it requires a significant time investment in the day-to-day running, maintenance, and research of printers, inks, and papers. Additionally, you may face challenges with print quality and preparation, as well as high ink costs. Outsourcing, on the other hand, eliminates the need to invest in printing equipment and allows you to focus on growing your business. But, it introduces considerations such as inventory management, mailing, and variable print quality across different providers.
Printing at home provides greater control over the printing process, allowing you to manage your schedule, design, and costs directly. It also ensures confidentiality, which is crucial when dealing with sensitive information like legal documents or financial data. However, outsourcing was once the only way to access sophisticated printing technology, but advancements have made this technology more accessible and affordable for in-house printing.
When printing at home, you can test new designs and audience-test them in small batches. This flexibility helps you avoid the risk of buying in bulk only to discover that there is no demand for a particular design. Outsourcing, on the other hand, may require you to purchase designs in bulk, which can be a financial burden if they don't sell as expected. Printing at home also allows you to easily adjust your prints for colour accuracy, black-and-white conversion, paper type, and weight, ensuring that your artwork is reproduced faithfully.
Outsourcing your printing can introduce variability in quality, as different providers may have varying standards. While some companies offer excellent print quality and customer service, others may have issues with broken printers, high prices, or unprofessional staff attitudes. Printing at home ensures consistency and allows you to fine-tune your prints using software like Adobe Photoshop or similar photo editing tools. This process lets you correct colour discrepancies and make any necessary adjustments to reflect the original artwork's hues and tones accurately.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to get your work into a digital format. You can either photograph or scan your artwork.
If you are using a camera, ensure that your artwork is hung on a wall with lots of natural light. If you are using your smartphone, make sure to shoot your artwork in open, even shade.
Use a scanner with a minimum DPI of 300. The higher the DPI, the better the quality and the larger the file size.
You can either print your paintings at home, or outsource them to an online service or a local fine art printer.
