HOw do you print portfolio of your work to show to the clients/Art Galleries. Any tips?
My problem is I live in Germany so may not be able to get all those products from USA. I own Epson printers with K3 ink.
I think you shouldn't have too much trouble finding the right papers, Prashant. Paper choices are a very individual matter though, so the advice I can give you there is to experiement. These days (and it tends to change) I like cotton rag papers for presentation because they give off almost no glare/sheen for presentation purposes, but then again, Illford Pearl is a very inexpensive alternative that I've used more and more lately, especially for B&W. Cotton rags also tend to absorb and bleed a little more which has a slight impact on apparent sharpness. Of course, do all the printing yourself to ensure quality. For the presentation, I recommend a mid-size art portfolio book with thin sleeves for the images, preferably in the 11x14 range - no larger unless requested. Keep it to a nice variety of only your very, very best work. I'd say 20 images, tops.
You already have an Epson printer with K3 inks and on your web-site you state that you use Hahnemuhle Photo Rag (company HQ are in Germany so this paper should be easily accessible). Why do you feel that living in Germany is going to be problematic w.r.t. printing a portfolo?
As Anil mentioned, Hahnemuhle paper is about as good as they come and you should have no problem getting in in Germany (I hope).
If you want a portfolio to take with you to clients and galleries I suggest double-matting the prints to 16x20 or so and placing them in a nice portfolio box. They will look much more impressive than in an album.
I think Guy is correct as it pertains to galleries. Some are going to prefer seeing large prints. For clients, well, it depends what clients. 16x20's matted are unpractically large for many applications and less mobile. Ideally, I'd just focus on your priorities. I keep an 11x14 folio that has served me really well.
Anil,
I did not mention paper or ink. What I meant was some specific products like portfolio box or something like that which may or may not available here (or I do not know the source).
I' still looking for ideas.
There is a Hahnemühle 'photo-album' available in Germany but I'm not sure if that looks better as a portfolio.
Posted by David Bostedo on June 19, 2007 at 10:28 AM
I think those Hahnemuhle albums are just paper with a way of attaching a binding around it. I don't know that it's the best presentation. (Although I have no experience presenting portfolios.)
In looking for large albums based on my post right after yours, I have found a couple of sites which seems to have a lot of that you might be looking for (portfolios, portfolio boxes, sleeves, etc) :
I'm not sure if any of these ship internationally, but they may give you a starting point. I have to think that there is some German or European based similar site you could use if that's the case.
Good luck...
Posted by Mel Ladewig on June 19, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Prashant,
I'm not at the stage of presenting my work to galleries, but this is what I feel would make a good impression.
Between a portfolio case and a portfolio box, I really like the boxed method better myself. In a box, I like the box to be slightly larger than the prints and I like prints separated by vellum. I like a little white edge left around the print to provide something to handle without touching the image. I might consider having a framed piece available to show the gallery manager if requested, but would not bring it to the initial meeting. A 16X20 (or the equivalent metric size) frame should be fine to show that you can hang a quality product on the wall. Like Marc, I would think the mobility of 11X14, 11X17 or A3 in metric paper sizes would be a good all around option. Like the others, for color prints I like cotton rag papers or at least Epson's enhanced matte if they are going to be handled. I also like the Ilford smooth pearl, and I understand this is inexpensive in Europe. The problem with the paper is that Ilford won't state a 100 year print longevity like Epson will, so I might be reluctant to sell work on that paper. I do think the Ilford prints and feels much better than Epson's RC papers. There is no reason why you could not purchase a large artist portfolio case and present larger pieces matted to 16X20 or 18X24.
Portfolio boxes and cases are usually available in an art supply stores. Certainly you must have one of these somewhere in your area. There are 2 within walking distance from my office and Colorado Springs isn't exactly what I'd describe as an artists community.
Either way, I hope you have good luck on this project.
Discussion
8 repliesMy problem is I live in Germany so may not be able to get all those products from USA. I own Epson printers with K3 ink.
Thanks for your time and input.
You already have an Epson printer with K3 inks and on your web-site you state that you use Hahnemuhle Photo Rag (company HQ are in Germany so this paper should be easily accessible). Why do you feel that living in Germany is going to be problematic w.r.t. printing a portfolo?
If you want a portfolio to take with you to clients and galleries I suggest double-matting the prints to 16x20 or so and placing them in a nice portfolio box. They will look much more impressive than in an album.
Guy
I did not mention paper or ink. What I meant was some specific products like portfolio box or something like that which may or may not available here (or I do not know the source).
I' still looking for ideas.
There is a Hahnemühle 'photo-album' available in Germany but I'm not sure if that looks better as a portfolio.
In looking for large albums based on my post right after yours, I have found a couple of sites which seems to have a lot of that you might be looking for (portfolios, portfolio boxes, sleeves, etc) :
Light Impressions
Jerry's Art-a-Rama
Archival USA
I'm not sure if any of these ship internationally, but they may give you a starting point. I have to think that there is some German or European based similar site you could use if that's the case.
Good luck...
I'm not at the stage of presenting my work to galleries, but this is what I feel would make a good impression.
Between a portfolio case and a portfolio box, I really like the boxed method better myself. In a box, I like the box to be slightly larger than the prints and I like prints separated by vellum. I like a little white edge left around the print to provide something to handle without touching the image. I might consider having a framed piece available to show the gallery manager if requested, but would not bring it to the initial meeting. A 16X20 (or the equivalent metric size) frame should be fine to show that you can hang a quality product on the wall. Like Marc, I would think the mobility of 11X14, 11X17 or A3 in metric paper sizes would be a good all around option. Like the others, for color prints I like cotton rag papers or at least Epson's enhanced matte if they are going to be handled. I also like the Ilford smooth pearl, and I understand this is inexpensive in Europe. The problem with the paper is that Ilford won't state a 100 year print longevity like Epson will, so I might be reluctant to sell work on that paper. I do think the Ilford prints and feels much better than Epson's RC papers. There is no reason why you could not purchase a large artist portfolio case and present larger pieces matted to 16X20 or 18X24.
Portfolio boxes and cases are usually available in an art supply stores. Certainly you must have one of these somewhere in your area. There are 2 within walking distance from my office and Colorado Springs isn't exactly what I'd describe as an artists community.
Either way, I hope you have good luck on this project.
I'll have a look.