Despite searching the web for current info on the title of this post, I'm still not able to find answers.
1. What is the maximum length that a 24" pano can be printed? I have found the length is dependent on the operating system, Photoshop etc., printer drivers or profiles, but nowhere can I find what combination of these variables will provide a maximum length.
2. What paper is prefered to print long panos on?
3. Best way, or most prefered way to mount or frame long panos?
The size I'm thinking of would be 24" x 144".
I need to get these questions answered before commiting to a printer purchase.
As a professional custom framer and photographer; your 144" (12') is going to be a nightmare. You will not find 12' of mounting material all in one piece, you will not be able to handle glass that long, just so many problems I see even if you could get it printed that long.
I shoot panos and keep them under 40" or under 60" to conform to recognized mount board, mat board and glass sizes.
Good luck in your endeavor. Oh, we normally print our panos on Epson Pro Lustre paper or Epson's canvas both in roll format.
Can't you break up the 14 foot print into segments - both n term of files, prints, and mounts? How about three 4 1/2 foot sections? The mount will likely not include a frame, as extrusions and wood frame won't come in single sections long enough, and glass or plexiglass won't either.
Above all, I can't imagine that an observer would ever be in an viewing position to object to the disjoint that comes with not having a single framed print. No?
I have no idea of how to go about displaying this image. It is of a floating logging camp that was towed in to Ketchikan for the winter. It is like a little town with houses built on floating logs. Very few people have ever seen this, except in sepia or b&w. I believe this is a historical color print and would like to mount it for display in a bank, college, hospital, or museum. I am looking for advice on how best to do this and if breaking it up is the best way to go, then thats what I'll do.
I do think that a large image that shows the details of the buildings, chairs, railings, foundation logs, etc. would be very effective.
I would like to buy an Epson 7880 or 9880, but I here so many stories of clogs. But for what it costs to have this type of print made, I could buy a printer in ten prints.
From your description of the image you want to print, it sounds like some kind of wall paper type of deal might be an interesting way to display your image. Also you could potentially try a cold/hot mount though I'm not very familiar with the limitations of that.
If you want o continue with this I'd first find someone who can handle a print that size, this won't be easy for all the reasons listed above. If there is 144 inch gator foam and acrylic, just shipping will be a night mare. I'd call Dugal in NY to see if they have any suggestions, or if you know a large processor, digital printer on the west coast. As everyone has said, this is a very unweildy size. Printing is going to be a problem just maintaining res and the size file this will entail. All computers have a certain max file size they will handle. If you want to maintain detail you level you sound like you want will have to keep the file to 300ppi (360 on an Epson).
Good luck
Thanks guys- I think the best coarse will be to print it and frame in several sections, and if there is a request for larger I'll deal with the full size then.
My next "Real Big" decision is which printer to buy and what size. I'm afraid of the ink clogs on the Epsons, although they have the best support, and have seen first hand HP's support. It seems that I'll to roll the dice with Canon, but I'm undecided which size to get.
The 24" would probably do for now, I'm thinking that I should go with the 44" incase I need to go larger. Any advice from one who has made this decision?
I think you might be able to save money on the ink with the iPF8100 compared to the iPF6100 since the 8100 uses bigger tanks.
As far as image quality goes, both are pretty much the same which is to say, they're absolutely amazing. The preliminary results from Wilhelm Research on print longevity for Canon's LUCIA inkset is looking good as well. The results for the iPF6100 haven't been released yet but the preliminary results for the Pixma 9500 which shares 10 of the 12 inks from the iPFx100 line is comparable or better than the HP and Epson offerings right now.
In terms of getting started and making prints, I found the documentation for the iPF6100 to be pretty useless. It'll get you setup to the point where you have everything plugged in but there after, I found it more useful getting information to get started from http://canonipf.wikispaces.com
I bought an Epson 7800---and in less than six months, upgraded to the Epson 9800. If you are considering printing on canvas----particularly canvas wraps, a 24" printer means you've limited yourself to a rather "small" 20x print.
I've never had any significant issues with "clogging"-----a simple test print has cleared anything for me, and primarily after printing on canvas media and switching to photo paper. Keeping the humidity up is helpful.
Many great media choices now out! (there is even "wallpaper" media out that you apply with wall paper paste---though self adhesive media choices are easier....)
What I read from Ken Duncan and Mark70x70 is to print on Fugi crystal paper, which is glossy. So to display this pano of mine, I'm thinking of printing on glossy paper.
HP called today and is supposed to be overnighting another printer to replace the B9180 that is scratching my prints, but I'll still need to print larger than 13"x19".
Why is canvas used to print fine art? Texture? Surely not tactile feel; you don't want your prints handled do you?
learningcurve wrote:
Why is canvas used to print fine art? Texture? Surely not tactile feel; you don't want your prints handled do you?
The image will often determine what is the "right" media to select to print on.
Whether you are printing on canvas, photographic papers, metallic papers, or fine art cotton papers, glossy or matte finishes, etc.----the media choice can have a dramatic impact on how the image is presented and viewed.
24" x 144" is going to be really heavy also if done with glass or plexi.
A better alternative to canvas is to print luster (so you have blacks and detail) then have a place like Lamin-8 Services in Chicago (312-988-9666, call they don't have a website, ask for Abe, let them know I recommended them to you, and no I don't get any kickback from this...) and have the print flush mounted. Costs are very reasonable for the size, the results look awesome, and the final work will be light weight.
What they do is dry mount your work to a backboard of your choice (sintra, hardboard, plexi, etc) then laminate either a matt or luster laminate over the top. Lots of finishing options as well.
I use them for mounting, here is a shot of my booth (I do the Chicago area art shows), which shows the results of this flush mount lamination mounting method.
What they do is dry mount your work to a backboard of your choice (sintra, hardboard, plexi, etc) then laminate either a matt or luster laminate over the top. Lots of finishing options as well.
Thanks for pointing out this option. Can you give a rough figure on cost, e.g., given the print, what's the cost to get a mounted product of the sort shown in your picture? Nice work, by the way.
I have also found that laminate mounting is the way to go for large prints.
Most larger cities should have a local shop that will do this.
I can give you a recommendation in the Denver area, if you live in that part of the country.
I imagine shipping such a large mounted print across the country could get quite expensive. Also, packing for safe transport could be a challenge.
kevinsullivan wrote:
Thanks for pointing out this option. Can you give a rough figure on cost, e.g., given the print, what's the cost to get a mounted product of the sort shown in your picture? Nice work, by the way.
Thanks. As for cost, I work mostly in larger volumes (different pricing). One thing I don't want to do is incorrectly quote Lamin-8's pricing, so best to simply call them and ask. Seriously, just call and ask, they are really nice... however that being said I believe the retail cost for a single print (ie not for resale and not volume pricing) finished the same in the booth shot around 36"x24" in size is around $0.15/square inch. Labor really is the most expensive part of running any framing/mounting operation, their pricing gets better for larger works, so for 144"x24 " best to call and find out!
Speaking about volume pricing, as for any outfit you are going to source from, see if you can get a discount on price for large (quantity) orders. For example, back when I did framing I sourced by glass from a local framing outfit which piggy-backed my orders for a full crate of glass on their regular drop offs.
wlpelzmann wrote:
I have also found that laminate mounting is the way to go for large prints.
Most larger cities should have a local shop that will do this.
I can give you a recommendation in the Denver area, if you live in that part of the country.
I imagine shipping such a large mounted print across the country could get quite expensive. Also, packing for safe transport could be a challenge.
BTW, Lamin-8 will ship to your destination for you. So if you are already selling to customers outside your local area, sending them a print and having them ship the finished work to the destination is the way to go. And again no glass + light weight, shipping costs are not that bad.
Thanks for the Laminate 8 tip Tim. I have a call in to them now.
Would you give me an idea of what you sell your flush mount prints for? Seeing as how I'm in Alaska and won't be moving, I'll not be any competition for you : ) You could PM that info.
How do you protect the surface of those prints when you pack and move them?
