Question 1

What format do you deliver, and at what resolution?

Accepted Answer

TIFF or JPEG at 300 PPI relative to the original size as standard, higher on request. We can also export specifically sized for a target print (e.g. "300 PPI at 60 × 80 cm"). RGB by default; we can convert to sRGB or a specific ICC profile if your printer needs one.

Question 2

Do I retain copyright and ownership of the files?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely. We're providing a digitisation service. The files are yours from the moment we deliver them. We don't watermark, register, license, or reuse your work in any way.

Question 3

What's colour matching, and is it always needed?

Accepted Answer

Colour matching is our best-effort process for getting a reprint as close to the original as we can. We do scan calibration, run test prints on related media, and adjust the file until the printed result reads as close to the source as practical. It can be a time intensive process depending on the image and this coupled with having to run prints on real media is why we charge $150.

Important honest caveat: we can't guarantee a perfect match. Even with careful work the result depends on the printer, the inks, and the substrate, and not every colour in the original is reproducible (see the next question).

You also need to be mindful that colour corrected prints may not look "right" on your monitor simply because your monitor is not calibrated or even capable of seeing all the different colours in a file. There is also times where certain colours need to be fundamentally altered to show up in a print, but can make the digital file feel "off" even if the print output is a match for the original.

Question 4

Can you reproduce every colour in my artwork?

Accepted Answer

Not always, no. We print using high-end pigment ink printers from Canon. These sort of machines are specially designed for fine art printing and they produce exceptional results and details, but they have limitations too. Some colours may fall outside of what is possible to print. Some colours may even fall outside of what image editing software can reproduce. In these instances software and printers choose the "closest alternative" and this sometimes is good enough and sometimes requires further adjustments.

One area that pigment ink machines are not great at capturing is really fluorescent colours. In these situations we can capture those sorts of colours but we probably can't reproduce them on our printers. You could probably take your files though and work with a UV printer to produce those fluorescent tones.

Question 5

If I take your file to another printer, will the colour still match?

Accepted Answer

Its unlikely to be a perfect match. Colour matching is tied to the printer, the ink, and the media being used. We tune your files to look right on our equipment and with the media we stock. A different printer may not even bother with colour management or they may simply have vastly different equipment and media. The results could therefore differ substantially.

If you plan to print elsewhere, just let us know upfront and we can probably share with you a PSD file with the adjustment layers included.

Question 6

What's the largest size you can scan?

Accepted Answer

Theres not really a size limitation as such but our flatbed scanner does max out at A3 size. This is unfortunately a common limitation with high resolution scanners, so if that sounds small to you, we agree. What we usually do beyond A3 size is create multiple scans of the item and then stitch them together in Photoshop. It works very effectively and enables us to scan and handle much bigger works without having to go down the route of photography.

Generally we try not to photograph, though we do have a proper studio set-up when required. In our experience the flatbed scanning route provides the sharpest and most accurate output and also enables us to upscale better if you want to increase the size of the original in the future.

Question 7

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Single-piece A3 with colour matching: typically 3 to 5 working days. Larger pieces or batches take longer because of the stitching and review steps. We confirm a turnaround when we quote.

Question 8

Can you also print from the file you make?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many clients keep the workflow under one roof: we scan, you approve the file, and we print on archival paper or canvas. Same colour pipeline end to end, so the printed result matches what we delivered digitally.

Studio-grade artwork scanning, with best-effort colour matching.

Built for reproduction, not capture.

Flatbed first, camera only when we have to

Colour matching, best effort

Print-ready files, your formats

Get a price now.

Common use cases.

Print from your scan.

Common questions.